Lobelia erinus Purple Star ('Wespurstar'PBR)

RHS Plant Profile
trailing lobelia [Purple Star]

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trailing lobelia [Purple Star] RHS
trailing lobelia [Purple Star] RHS

Synonyms

Lobelia erinus 'Wespurstar'PBR
Lobelia 'Purple Star'

Award of Garden Merit
Annual Biennial Bedding

A low-growing plant, with stems to 27cm long, small, narrow, olive green leaves and a trailing habit. The two-lipped flowers, 2cm across, are vivid purple, produced abundantly in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

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

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Campanulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
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
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Ideal for bedding schemes or in containers especially in partial shade. Avoiding drought stress will prolong flowering, as will liquid feeding

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Garden edging
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove after flowering ceases in autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free