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Annual BiennialBedding

Lobelia erinus

trailing lobelia

A trailing, tender perennial grown as an annual, with fine, spreading stems, tiny leaves and masses of small flowers from late spring until autumn. In the wild, the species has blue to violet flowers and dark green leaves; in gardens, cultivars may be trailing or bushy, have pale, mid- or dark green leaves, sometimes flushed with bronze, with white, pale, mid- or dark blue, or purple flowers

Other common names
blue lobelia
dwarf spreading lobelia
see moreedging lobelia
garden lobelia

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Blue Purple Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Blue Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Campanulaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Trailing
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

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade. For best results apply a balanced fertiliser every two weeks during spring and early summer and a nitrogen-free fertiliser every two weeks from mid-summer onwards

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13-18ºC in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • hanging basket
  • Bedding
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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