LOBELIA IN HANGING BASKETS
As an annual lobelia will grow nearly anywhere and they are great in
hanging baskets – either on mass or mixed in with other annuals.
Had trouble in the past growing lobelia? Then maybe the new sun
loving lobelia is the one for you –
click here
for more on these – also see below.
Trailing vs Upright or “Edging” Lobelia
Both work in hanging baskets – if you're only top planting your
hanging baskets then either will be fine.
However we prefer and recommend trailing Lobelia for hanging baskets
and planters, as it grows trailing lobelia billows gracefully and looks
superb when it is mixed in with other annuals
Growing Lobelia From Seed
Lobelia seeds can be sown directly in the garden or indoors for later
transplanting. These plants typically require an area with full sun but
will tolerate partial shade. They also prefer moist, rich soil. Start
indoors about 10-12 weeks prior to the last frost in your region. Spread
the tiny seeds just on top of the soil and water thoroughly. Place them
in a warm, well-lit area.
The seedlings should pop up within a week or two, at which time you
can begin thinning them out. After all danger of frost is gone and the
plants are at least 2-3 inches tall, transplant them to the
garden—spacing about 4-6 inches apart.
Order Lobelia Seed
http://www.veseys.com/us/en/store/flowerseed/lobeliaa
Perrenial Lobelia’s
Lobelia can survive year long if the conditions are right – and yes
there are some perennial lobelia’s available too – we have tried these
and had mixed results.
For use in hanging baskets and planters we prefer annual lobelia
either bought from the garden centre or grown ourselves from seed.
Growing Lobelia in Hanging Baskets
Cooler temperatures and partly shaded positions are ideal situations
for most lobelia. Hanging baskets should be placed where the plants
receive soft or filtered light and plenty of cover from mid-day heat.
Keep your basket or hanging planters soil evenly moist at all times
for best blooming results, but avoid overwatering, which can encourage
root disease.
Since most lobelia do not like excessive heat, expect your lobelia to
cease blooming during the hotter days of the summer. If you have mixed
in lobelia with other plants you will not really notice this too much.
As the cooler temperatures of early fall return your lobelia should
re-bloom with ease. To further assist your plants bloom, trim your
lobelia plants back after the first full bloom has died to encourage
more flowers. Also deadhead spent blooms as noticed.
There are now new sun loving Lobelia’s available too – click here for
more on these and also see below.
These sun loving lobelias thrive in full sun and do not need dead
heading – so they are ideal for hanging baskets.
 New
Varities of Lobelia
Lobelia - Superstar
'Superstar' lobelia by Westhoff is a super Lobelia with a cascading
habit and a profusion of white flowers with the edges splashed in blue –
see the photo.
Lobelia ‘Superstar’ is an early flowering lobelia with a vigorous
growing intensity. These plants have a semi-trailing habit that makes
them beautiful in hanging baskets, hanging planters and window boxes
too.
Sun Loving - Laguna – Sky Blue
A new Sun Loving Lobelia from Proven Winners – Laguna is a compact, 8
- 10 inch tall annual (except in zones 9-11) ideal for full sun to part
shade. With an abundance of blooms that never need deadheading and a
mounding, trailing habit that’s perfect for landscapes and all types of
containers including hanging baskets and planters. “Ain’t progress
wonderful?”
 Laguna
does not like "wet feet". Be sure that you do not keep the soil wet.
Allow the soil surface to dry before watering again.
These newer types of Lobelia are much more heat tolerant than past
plants. They will reliably bloom in warm temperatures unless night
temperatures stay in the upper 70’s or above. If you experience an
extended time period with high night temperatures the plants may flush
out of bloom, however, the plants themselves should continue to look
good. If the plants do go out of flower using a sharp pair of scissors
or pruning shears to give the plants a “haircut” – a slight overall trim
– should encourage additional branching.
Additional branching will result in increased flower power once the
plants begin blooming again after night temperatures fall.
The plants may be trimmed back at anytime if you feel they could use
it.
Regular fertilization of your hanging baskets and planters will help
ensure the best possible performance from these new Lobelia.
 Lobelia
- Regatta Series
Extra-early flowering Regatta Lobelias are wonderful trailing
lobelias! They flowering up to 4 weeks faster than most lobelias so are
perfect for Spring. Regatta The regatta series are vigorous little
plants which will quickly grow to about 6 to 8 in. (15 to 20 cm) tall,
then they literally cascade all over the edges of your hanging baskets
and planters – wonderful.
Two of our favorites – Regatta Blue Splash and Regatta Red Rose.
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