Description
Lobelia erinus comes from South Africa and is an annual. It is a popular garden plant reaching 10–25 cm in height, with thin, smooth, heavily branched stems. Its leaves are small, smooth and slightly glossy. The small flowers at the tips of the stems are white, pink or blue in various shades, depending on the variety.
Lobelia flowers profusely from early June until late autumn. In gardens it is most often planted as an edging plant. It is also one of the most popular plants for containers, pots, bowls and balcony boxes. It is planted out, or put outside in containers, in the second half of May.
Requirements
It needs moderately fertile, well-cultivated, slightly moist soil and a sunny position.
Propagation
Lobelia is propagated from seed. Sow from February to March in seed trays, ideally placed on a windowsill. The seeds should germinate after two weeks. When the seedlings have two leaves, gently prick them out into larger containers. Plant the young plants in their final position in May.
Care
Make sure the soil lobelia grows in never dries out. From the start of flowering, water it with liquid fertiliser, ideally one for flowering plants. Before planting, it is worth mixing a slow-release coated fertiliser into the compost. Plants that are fading and drying up can be cut back in August, watered several times and fed with liquid fertiliser for flowering plants – they will flower again.