About
A herbaceous, woody-based, rhizomatous perennial to 60cm tall, with arching stems bearing long, very narrow leaves and 4cm long, tubular, red and yellow flowers singly in the upper leaf axils in late spring and summer.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toArizona to Mexico
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationOf borderline hardiness - protect with a dry winter mulch or lift and store in a frost-free greenhouse. Prefers to be grown in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to crown rot