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Blue Lobelia

Blue Lobelia is herbaceous and perennial, with toothed alternate leaves, growing to about one and half meters in height.

Its stems are erect, though frequently branched.

Its flowers are quite interesting, with blue irregular two lipped flowers, appearing in lengthy terminal racemes.

Its corolla is slit on both sides close to the base. When the seeds appear, they are contained in double celled capsules, each containing many seeds. These capsules have a lobe shaped base.

Great Blue Lobelia has deep blue flowers in late summer and will bloom for 3 to 4 weeks.

Care of the plant

blue lobelia flower shade gardeningThis plant is very easy to take care of, and flowers in late summer for around a month. This makes it a very useful plant for the gardener most of whose plants flower nearer to spring.

This plant will bring a touch of color to your garden in the time before fall or autumn.

They prefer to be moist, most of the time , they don't want to stand with their roots in water.

The flowers are tolerant to shade and the plant itself requires little care. It will self sow most of the time so you do not really have to worry about propagation, but you are still advised to divide it every 2 to 3 years as this practice tends to make the plant grow more vigorously.

You should grow Blue Lobelia in rich soil, especially in soil rich in organic matter like humus.

If you live in a reasonably temperate climate, rosettes on your plant will stay green through the winter. However, if you live in a temperate climate, you must be careful not to mulch this plant.

If you go ahead and mulch this plant, as temperature rise above and then fall below the freezing point your plants roots will become water logged and probably rot. In cold climates where the weather stays frozen, mulching is probably a good idea – this will protect the plant through the harsh cold of winter, though you should remove the mulch the moment temperatures rise above freezing to prevent rot.

Propagation

Like most other plants, Lobelia Blue splendens plant is best propagated in the spring. What you have to do is to remove the rosettes, discarding the remains. Then plant the latest rosette in organically enriched soil.

Generally, the Lobelia will not need propagation for at least two years. The great Blue variety can grow up to three feet in height and nearly a foot wide.

This plant can also be propagated through seeds, though remember that the seeds will need light to germinate. Sow them in fine grain pit in a flat box, keeping the seeds moist and under lights.

In a few weeks time the seeds will put out little green shoots, which are ready for transplanting in around four to six weeks time.

At this point you should put them into pots, using the same soil mixture and adding fertilizer every second week or so to aid growth. Now they are ready to put into your garden planting them about a foot apart. They require a great deal of fertilizer to grow well.

Soil

Every experienced gardener knows that soil is not merely mud. The content of the soil whether it is clay like, loamy or sandy, can be of crucial importance.

Just as important is how much water is retained in the soil, or even the Ph factor of the soil, whether it is alkaline or acidic. Moist but well drained soil is absolutely necessary. This soil must also be rich in organic matter so that it simulates that of a shady woodland.

"So, humus rich well drained soil is a must. Keep the plant moist but not wet, and divide every 2 to 3 years. Remember in milder climates do not mulch. In colder climates remove the mulch when the temperatures rise above freezing in order to preserve the rosettes."

Photos of Great Blue Lobelia

blue lobelia flowers for shade blue lobelia gardening shade flowerblue lobelia shade tolerant flowers


Lobelia - Qu. Victoria Cardinal Flow.

Lobelia - Grape Knee-Hi

Lobelia - Royal Fushia

Lobelia - Cambridge Blue

Lobelia - Cascade Mixed Colors

Lobelia - Crystal Palace

Lobelia - Laguna Gäó Compact Blue with Eye

Lobelia - Laguna Gäó Dark Blue

Lobelia - Laguna Gäó Sky Blue

Lobelia - Monet Moment

Lobelia - Periwinkle Blue Improved

Lobelia - LagunaGäó White


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