perennial lobelia varieties

The most common perennial lobelias are cardinal flower (L. cardinalis) and great blue lobelia (L. siphilitica), also called blue cardinal flower. Perennial hybrids derived from the two species include L.

Is there a perennial lobelia?

Lobelia is a genus of about 370 species of annuals, perennials (even some aquatics) and shrubs. They are all basically perennials, but some are treated as annuals. In their native habitat they may be found along riverbanks, wet meadows, marshes, woodlands, mountain slopes and deserts.

Does lobelia come back every year?

Lobelia is a perennial plant that is often considered an annual because growing conditions must be perfect for it to survive to rebloom another year. ... More than 360 species of lobelia are grown as annuals, perennials or shrubs.

How do you grow perennial lobelia?

Perennial lobelia

Lobelia cardinalis can be grown in sun or, preferably, partial shade. It needs a good, fertile soil that remains moist during summer, and doesn't dry out. Lobelia tupa needs a sheltered position in full sun and a good, fertile, well-drained soil.

Will lobelia survive winter?

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'

If your soil is not too cold or wet in winter, this wonderful tender perennial will survive outside in a sunny, sheltered spot (provided you can keep the slugs and snails off!).

Is Lobelia a hardy?

Hardiness: H2 - Half-hardy, protect from frost.

Does lobelia like sun or shade?

Annual lobelia is a cool-season plant that can tolerate most light conditions, including shade. Light: Shade, part sun, or full sun. Water: Plant in well-drained, moist soil. Size: Up to 3 feet tall.

How do you keep lobelia blooming all summer?

A general-purpose liquid fertilizer can be given once a month or every four to six weeks, if desired. Lobelia should delight your garden with beautiful blooms about mid-summer, continuing on up to the first frost. Although not necessary, you can deadhead lobelia plants to maintain a neat appearance.

Why do my lobelia keep dying?

Too Little Water

During warm weather, lobelia leaves and flowers can dry out. If the dehydration is too severe, the plant may die. Water your lobelia in pots consistently so the soil stays moist and never draws away from the side of the container.

Should I cut back lobelia?

Use clean shears and prune lobelia when the foliage is dry to prevent the spread of disease-causing fungal spores. Trailing lobelia varieties, such as those in hanging baskets, also benefit from cutting back. Cut these back far enough to remove the spent flowers but don't remove the hanging stems completely.

Is Nemesia a perennial?

A compact hardy perennial, Nemesia provides spectacular colour all summer long starting to flower in late May and lasting to late September or the first frosts. When temperatures are mild, the plant produces so many flowers that they almost completely obscure the foliage.

How often should you water lobelia?

Careful watering is essential in getting lobelia perennials off to a good start. Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface.

Do geraniums self seed?

Geranium pratense

It often puts itself among other perennials in borders. Though our indigenous plant has blue flowers, self-seeders can also be pink, mauve or white. Discover 10 hardy geraniums to grow.

How do you winterize lobelia?

Cut them back after flowering to a couple of inches (5 cm.) above the ground. Spread organic mulch around the root zone but keep it away from the main stems. Covering these can promote rot.

Is an unheated greenhouse frost free?

An unheated greenhouse in winter will not only allow you to grow hardy veggies, but you can start tender annuals, propagate perennials, and overwinter cold sensitive plants. ... That said, when winter nights get really cold, frost damage in the greenhouse can occur without added protection.

What do you do with Salvias in the winter?

Those that do stay outside may well take a bit of a battering over the winter, but don't be tempted to cut them back until spring, when you can snip back the old stems to just above an emerging shoot 6in or so above soil level.

How big does lobelia get?

Height: Annuals reach a maximum height of about 12 inches. Perennials can grow to be 4 feet high.

What grows well in full shade?

10 Great Plants for Shade

Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Lamium Maculatum (Dead Nettle)
Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower)
Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Astilbe.
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Hakonechloa (Japanese forest grass)
Primula (Primrose)

What can I plant with lobelia?

Pair lobelia with with other cool weather plants for a full container during the spring. The electric blue of some lobelia varieties will complement pansies, violas, white snapdragons, alyssum or dusty miller. Lobelia can also create beautiful, full, mounding containers when planted on their own.

Is Lobelia a ground cover?

Typically growing no more than six inches tall, annual lobelia functions as a small scale groundcover for seasonal flowerbeds. Individual plants will spread to a foot or more across, but are typically planted as groundcover plugs on a six to eight inch spacing, so that they quickly fill in and become a dense carpet.

Does lobelia need a lot of water?

Watering Lobelia

Annual lobelia requires frequent watering during the growing season because the short roots remain near the surface. Water slowly, using a garden hose or drip system, to saturate the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.