Lobelia

Hello chums
Whilst away, we popped into a GC, as you do. We spotted a Lobelia in a pot which we rather liked. Priced at £10, I thought this was a bit steep, considering we would probably want three. Foolishly, I didn’t take note of the variety Basically, it had vivid red flowers, green leaves and I would imagine be around 3ft tall when fully grown. Can anyone guide me in the right direction?
Cheers...Freddy.

 

Morning Freddie
There are a few perennial lobelias but, since you described the leaves as green, it eliminates one or two of them.....a couple have purple or very dark green foliage
Anyway, if you can give them reasonably decent soil they are beautiful plants. They are prob at their peak now and for next 3 weeks or so, so why not buy one, enjoy it for the flowers and then divide it after flowering?
If you divide it you can have 2 or 3 full size plants for next year They are very vigorous plants....here they are 5' or so tall and wide.
(I pot them up after division and this way they grow quickly)

 

mine is lobelia Queen Victoria. It has bright red flowers and purple leaves. I bought in Dobbies with the two Felicia as a mix and match 3 for £10 deal. There was another variety (not too dissimilar) in a bigger pot for more money. I think I made the right choice. If it takes off I might grow some more next year. The height and texture is a good contrast to anything else I have.



G.

 

@Verdun . If I can succesfull divide it then I will be able to spread it around.



G.

Ps How reliant are they on the sun? I have a shady spot where two fence panels form a corner. The sun shines all around but not on that exact spot (except maybe last thing as the sun fades away).

 

Gary, it needs plenty of water to do well in the sun; if it wilts though pour a watering can over it and it will perk up. So, in that spot should be fine.
Victoria can be tender over winter so sensible to pull the clump apart in autumn and pot pieces up. You should see pieces with their own roots. Then you have plants to spread around. Unlike other perennials, I think this os best divided in autumn and given some winter protection
You are right, the foliage is a wonderful contrast esp to blues.....foliage or flower.....yellow foliage but most everything.
Here it is in a small pool and grows pretty big.

 

Lobelia cardinalis, L.splendens, L.fulgens or L.speciosa. But a tenner seems well pricey even for the affluent SW so maybe it was Lobelia tupa?
Lobelia tupa by longk48, on Flickr

That grows to two metres plus in the ground and needs drier conditions and free draining soil.
Never cut the stems off until the spring on perennial Lobelia - it stops them rotting from the inside out.

 

I could try it in a pot first to see how it gets on. I would love to grow it in a pond but I don't have one. I do have a water feature barrel. It might go behind that.

G.

 

Thanks for all the replies folks. Having checked the suggestions, none really fit the bill. I decided to ring the GC to ask what it was, and it seems I have mislead you all It was in fact ‘Fan Burgundy’



Any insight/advice on this one?

 

It's a hybrid, it's correct name is Lobelia x.speciosa. One of the moisture loving Lobelia. A tenner is well over the top in my opinion.

 

It's that time when we can query the prices in GC and nurseries.. it's getting near the end of the season and many plant purchases are not going to make a show for too long.

Make an offer if price seems to high....nothing to lose . I was in my local nursery and I did just that for couple of agapanthus.

 

Yeah, as I said, I thought it was expensive. I know some outlets are offering plug plants, but not as yet been able to find this one. When you say “moisture loving”, does that mean it’s too impractical?