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Posted by hereisabee (U2342191) on Sunday, 4th September 2011
The seeds were on offer a £1 a packet in an 09/10 catalogue, I sowed them mid summer in a pot in the garden and then over-wintered them on a window-ledge. So I am very pleased to have flowers this summer, perhaps helped by the warm April. Let's hope they will survive this winter with some mulching and a protective covering.
Christopher Lloyd writes in Garden Flowers, that they need to be well watered when they are growing and only just moist for the rest of the year.
They look lovely.
Thanks, the success has inspired to be try more from the genus. The American species give perennials with showy flowers as opposed to the ubiquitous South African plants seen in hanging baskets. Lobelia, sounds like an aunt of Bertam Wooster - stuffy but floriferous?
Another poster has a Queen Victoria lobelia which I also want to grow, I tried to buy a plant but could not find one so I will have to grow it from seed , I may try this one too.
I've just bought a Queen Victoria lobelia from here:
I was actually after the Bees Flame one that I saw at Wakehurst Place & also another perennial that they didn't have. They said the lobelia would be happiest really damp, in a bog garden etc. which surprised me.
Queen Victoria is a cultivar of Lobelia cardinalis, native of bog and streamsides in N. America. This is another 'Fan Scarlet',
I am now concerned, normally have a very dry garden, does the Lobelia tupa like a dry spot?
With such a large flower no, they are always going to need plenty of moisture. My plants are growing in a deep pot and have been watered regularly.
I used to grow this, rather forgotten about it, which is a pity as it is quite stunning. Does need a bit of space, think I lost mine when it plainly got overgrown - story of this garden I am afraid.
As for damp ground, well it didn't get that here, but was under a tree which gives light dappled shade so maybe that kept the roots cools and damp enough.
Think I might just have another go at it - I know just the spot, if I move the .....................
Plants have a tenacity to disobey rules fortunately, however with L. tupa's silver green leaves such plants are botanically at home in sunny locations.
Now I am confused, I think I will give it a try as it looks my sort of plant.
Good for you, give it a go indeed, tupa may just love you and your place. Luckily, none of the plants have read the books, or even their own labels, so trial is really the way to go. Hope you are successful and enjoy their stunning appearance next year.
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