Interested in growing a flower that looks dainty and elegant, yet is an easy-to-maintain repeat bloomer? Try growing lobelia in your summer garden. These carefree flowering plants remain covered with eye-catching blooms throughout the summer months, and even into the fall. Flower colors are brilliant, coming in stunning violet-blue, as well as yellow, white, red and pink.
Featuring a charming cascading habit, lobelia makes an excellent choice for window boxes, raised beds, hanging baskets and containers. It also does well as a ground cover. Even better, lobelia tends to be deer resistant, and the flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
For the best of luck growing lobelia, keep these cultivation tips in mind.
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Locate lobelia in an area that gets five or more hours of sunlight each day. The plant will bloom in partial shade. The best part-sun situation for lobelia is morning sun and afternoon shade.
(FreeImages.com/Simon Coomber)
Ensure good drainage. Like many plants, lobelia doesn’t do well in soggy soil. Prior to planting, check that the planting area drains well. If water drains slowly, amend the area with homemade or bagged compost and recheck the drainage. Avoid drainage issues by planting in containers with high-quality, organic potting soil.
Water regularly. Lobelia requires consistent soil moisture for prolific blooms. Water the plants regularly in the absence of rainfall, so that the soil is moist but not soggy. To help keep the soil surrounding lobelia consistently moist, mulch with a 2-inch layer of ground bark or leaf mold.
(FreeImages.com/Jean-Pierre Cremers)
Prune occasionally. To have the most blooms, it’s necessary to pinch or prune lobelia back to keep it bushy, which will lead to continual flowering. Once flowers fade, prune them off and new buds will appear.
Fertilize monthly. Feed lobelia on a regular basis with an organic fertilizer designed for flowering plants. Apply monthly from spring through early fall.
Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as The American Gardener, Organic Gardening, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of seven books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com.
