Lobelia × speciosa 'Pink Elephant'

RHS Plant Profile
lobelia 'Pink Elephant'
lobelia 'Pink Elephant' RHS 1997

Synonyms

Lobelia 'Pink Elephant'

Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial

'Pink Elephant' is an erect herbaceous perennial to 1.5m in height, with lance-shaped leaves and vivid light red-purple flowers to 3cm in length in late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Campanulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eatenskin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eatenskin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Lobelia can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with simple leaves and showy 2-lipped flowers that may be solitary or in racemes or panicles
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil such as a bog garden in full sun or partial shade. Protect with a dry winter mulch; can be short-lived

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down faded flower spikes in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to crown rot