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 Arranging Flowers...
Choose the right foam for the flowers you intend to display. Ideally green water-retaining foam is for fresh flowers and foliage, whilst the brown stiffer foam is for dried or artificial flowers. |
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 Growing Lobelia
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Lobelia is a half hardy plant that widely grown as a bedding plant and is often used in hanging baskets. Lobelia is available in many colours and adds a great splash of temporary colour to any garden. |
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Lobelia is sown from seed every year, and is a half hardy plant, which means that after the flowering season, the whole plant will die off. It will not come back the following year, so it has to be re-grown from seed every year.
Did you know..... Lobelia is also known as Cardinal flower and edging lobelia
Step by step guide to growing lobelia
Prepare your site
Lobelia is grown from seed from February to March, and is best sown in pots prior to planting out. Seeds need to be sown thinly into damp seed compost, and left in a heated greenhouse to germinate. Keep seedlings watered from below. |
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When to plant lobelia
It takes approximately 3 weeks for lobelia seeds to germinate and lobelia is ready to be hardened off during late April, and then planted out in late May, when the seedlings are large enough to handle, and the risk of frost is over.
How to plant lobelia
Lobelia is usually used as a bedding plant, but can be used in hanging baskets, window boxes and patio pots. Individual plants should be placed at least 4 inches apart (10cm).
Routine care of lobelia
Lobelia needs to be watered regularly, especially during dry spells. It is best to pinch out the dead heads to ensure that the lobelia plant flowers all summer long.
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Recommended varieties of lobelia
Lobelia erinus : This summer flowering lobelia grows between 4 - 6 inches in height, and is excellent for borders. It also comes in a trailing form, excellent for hanging baskets.
Lobelia cardinalis : This variety of lobelia is native to America and grows upto 4ft in height. The blooms are vibrant red in colour, and love to grow in damp, wet places.
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| Did you know..... According to the Victorian language of flowers, the lobelia symbolizes malevolence and ill will. |
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