Lobelia Perennial

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Lobelia is a plant ideal for hanging pots or floor planters. In addition, flowers like these can be used to create bright and lovely borders at the bottom

Lobelia is also a popular decorative element used by landscape designers to create the most interesting styles and appearances of the area. Most often, fine small inflorescences are used in the design of rock gardens. They are great both for rocky gardens and for decorating a summer cottage. However, in order to grow such flowers, you should know everything about planting and caring for them.

Description

Lobelia can consist of annual and perennial varieties. These flowers belong to the Bellflower family. Their flowering pleases with abundance and delicate appearance. Such plants can be represented by undersized, semi-or full-fledged shrubs. Florists who prefer to grow ornamental crops, as a rule, prefer herbaceous types of lobelia, which are characterized by the density of located inflorescences of the same shape. In the upper part of the flower, the petals are much smaller due to defective development. In the wild, lobelia can be found in the southern part of the African continent, where about twenty plant varieties grow.

Perennial lobelia, which today is quite popular among gardeners and summer residents, also has a second name - erinus. The flowering of the culture is represented by bright blue inflorescences. Lobelia shrubs are usually ball-shaped, but creeping varieties are sometimes found. A characteristic feature of the culture is thin stems that originate in the root system. In addition, the plant does not have a rosette. Shoots have strong branching, where the branches are of the second and third order. It is on them that you can notice the formation of small inflorescences in the form of single elements in a delicate appearance and bright color of blue shades. Lobelia bushes begin to bloom in the first summer month, and end with the first frost. The flower seeds can be harvested around mid-August, but they ripen until the very end of the flowering phase. Despite the fact that lobelia for the garden is perennial, it is more often grown as an annual plant. This is due to the fact that, within the boundaries of Russia, winters are usually very cold, and sometimes even harsh.

Lobelia is quite resistant to cold weather. Shrubs can withstand a drop in temperature indicators up to minus seven degrees. The plant feels very cozy and comfortable in bright sunlight. However, even a little shading is not dangerous for the crop. The soil next to the shrub should be constantly moistened, but to a moderate extent, since excess water provokes root rot. For a more lush flowering, lobelia should be planted on drained soil. Loamy soils are also suitable in the absence of fertilizing with organic fertilizers. In another case, the growth of green leaves will prevail, causing damage to the decorative effect of flowering.

How to plant perennial lobelia outdoors?

The main types of soil that are perfect for growing lobelia are sandy and loamy soils. In any case, it is worth following the lightness and good water permeability of the soil. No fertilization is required before planting lobelia outdoors. Excessive components can create favorable conditions for plant diseases or reduce the duration of the flowering phase. Flower seedlings should be planted in bunches, while carefully spreading the roots in the initially prepared grooves.

How to care for perennial lobelia?

The most basic care procedures for perennial lobelia are the destruction of weeds and a little loosening of the earth. It is also worth adding some feeding ingredients and treating lobelia from emerging diseases. After the first stage of the flowering phase, the plant goes into a dormant state for a short time. At this time, the plant stimulates the formation of new buds of inflorescences. Therefore, shrubs must be shortened so that the maximum trunk length is five centimeters. With the growth of lobelia, care should be taken to ensure the correct timely implementation of watering. This is especially important in case of too hot weather or drought. Top dressing must be carried out in the spring season with the help of a complex fertilizer. Fertilizers based on phosphorus are applied in the middle of summer, and in September the plant needs to be fed with potassium.