Lobelia in Containers
Lobelia blooms freely in the container. It actually does better in the protected environment of the container over the uncertainty of the open garden. Lobelia is a small-flowered plant, but there are so many flowers on a good lobelia that it makes quite a statement. Lobelia are better in the cooler times of the year and will bloom until the first hard frost. The only way you might not have success with them is if you let them dry out. They do not appreciate drought. One species is actually an aquatic plant, Lobelia cardinalis.
The lobelia used in containers or for bedding plants grows 3 to 5 inches tall. There is a trailing hybrid variety that will grow 8 to 10 inches long, but it has relatively fewer flowers. There are also perennial lobelia that grow quite tall, but they are generally wildflowers. Colors include white, blue, scarlet, purple, and pink. Blue is far and away the most popular.
Use these small plants in windowboxes, containers, and hanging baskets. Start up a container now with blue lobelia, white alyssum, and a red miniature rose, and you’ll be all set with a 4th of July-themed container!
You can start lobelia plants from seeds---tiny seeds---sown directly into the container indoors to be moved outdoors after frost season has passed. The seeds take 14 to 21 days to germinate, so don’t lose hope. They are slow starting out. Alternately, flats are available in April from the local greenhouse.
Give your lobelia full sun or sun with a bit of shade. These plants do prefer cooler weather, but will pass through the height of the summer safely as long as there is sufficient watering. It also helps to cut them back a bit when it’s really hot.
Other than sufficient watering and a bit of fertilizer to keep the flowers coming, lobelia are lovely, low maintenance, colorful contrast plants enchanting in their petit perfection.
The lobelia used in containers or for bedding plants grows 3 to 5 inches tall. There is a trailing hybrid variety that will grow 8 to 10 inches long, but it has relatively fewer flowers. There are also perennial lobelia that grow quite tall, but they are generally wildflowers. Colors include white, blue, scarlet, purple, and pink. Blue is far and away the most popular.
Use these small plants in windowboxes, containers, and hanging baskets. Start up a container now with blue lobelia, white alyssum, and a red miniature rose, and you’ll be all set with a 4th of July-themed container!
You can start lobelia plants from seeds---tiny seeds---sown directly into the container indoors to be moved outdoors after frost season has passed. The seeds take 14 to 21 days to germinate, so don’t lose hope. They are slow starting out. Alternately, flats are available in April from the local greenhouse.
Give your lobelia full sun or sun with a bit of shade. These plants do prefer cooler weather, but will pass through the height of the summer safely as long as there is sufficient watering. It also helps to cut them back a bit when it’s really hot.
Other than sufficient watering and a bit of fertilizer to keep the flowers coming, lobelia are lovely, low maintenance, colorful contrast plants enchanting in their petit perfection.
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