New plants: Lobelia Rift Series
Breakthrough breeding brings us a lobelia revolution via a new line of uniquely patterned, long-flowering and heat-tolerant varieties
Over the years, the ever-popular lobelia has generally not changed a great deal. Always in demand for its clean colouring, with flowers in every shade of blue or white on bushy or trailing plants, this classic annual has always worked well with a great range of other patio and container plants.
The last significant development came when heat-tolerant, longer-flowering lobelias from
© PAC Elsner / Westhoff![]()
© PAC Elsner / Westhoff![]()
The next step for these patio favourites
Traditionally, lobelia flowers have been shades of blue. There have been a few white-flowered varieties – although most of these produce the occasional blue-flowered plant – and we’ve also had varieties with magenta-purple flowers.
Now, we have the very different Rift Series. There are just two varieties so far – the self-explanatory Rift Blue (‘Weslorifbu’) and Rift Purple (‘Weslorifpu’); both prettily flecked and speckled in pure white for a whole new look.
© PAC Elsner / Westhoff![]()
© PAC Elsner / Westhoff![]()
Unique new colours
The Rift Series was developed in Germany by Westhoff, the world’s leading lobelia breeders. They describe their new series as “a tectonic shift in lobelia breeding... the Rift Series features heavily branched, mounding plants with the bold colours of lobelia shattered by blazing white variegation. Striking up close, but equally dramatic from a distance, the Lobelia Rift Series is a unique new take on this classic plant.”
Where can I buy Lobelia Rift Series?
You may find the two cultivars in some garden centres come May or June, but they are more reliably available by mail order. Collections containing both cultivars are available from Suttons, Dobies, Thompson & Morgan and Van Meuwen. The latter also offers the two cultivars for sale individually.
