Edging lobelia - Lobelia erinus (Care, Characteristics, Flower, Images)

Edging lobelia

Also known as: Garden lobelia, Sapphire lobelia

Edging lobelia (Lobelia erinus) is a native South African flowering plant related to the bellflower. Edging lobelia is a popular garden plant for ornamental purposes and is often cultivated in hanging baskets and planters. Edging lobelia can be damaged by frost and cold temperatures and grows best in temperate climates.

Scientific classification

Species

Edging lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

Asters bellflowers fanflowers and allies

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Perennial, Annual

Lifespan

Herb

Plant Type

Late spring, Summer, Fall

Bloom Time

Late spring, Summer, Early fall, Mid fall

Harvest Time

8 cm to 22 cm

Plant Height

10 cm to 50 cm

Spread

Green

Leaf Color

8 mm to 2 cm

Flower Size

Green

Fruit Color

Blue, White, Purple, Pink, Red, Violet

Flower Color

Green

Stem Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Deciduous

Leaf type

20 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Spring, Fall

Growth Season

Images of Edging lobelia

Distribution of Edging lobelia

Distribution Map

You can find edging lobelia growing naturally in tropical and central and southern Africa. The introduction of this plant hasn't been widespread, only appearing in certain parts of Europe, southern Australia, and Morocco. Edging lobelia naturally prefers temperate and tropical conditions, usually growing on the South African coast and mountain slopes.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Grassland

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Garden Use

Edging lobelia is a common addition to flower beds. Prized for its appealing blooms and low growth patterns, this plant is used for edging and as ground cover. It is also used to bring color to darker spots. This plant is a good fit for rock gardens and is often planted with petunias and fuchsias for their complementary appearances.

Symbolism

Pity, malevolence

Interesting Facts

Edging lobelia usually blooms in spring. The flowers look like butterflies. The color of edging lobelia is rich, including red, pink, purple, white, etc. The unique blue edging lobelia is a common flowerbed plant in spring.

Name Story

Edging lobelia: Lobelia is named after a Flemish botanist, Mathias de l'Obel in the 16th century. Most Lobelia plants use genus names as common names. This plant has small blue, purple, rose and white pentapetals, and some grow out petals that look like a pair of white eyes. They usually grow in containers along with the edge plants. It's called edging lobelia.

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Cultivars

There are several recognized cultivars of Edging lobelia, including the following common varieties :

Edging lobelia 'Cambridge Blue'Edging lobelia 'String of Pearls'Edging lobelia 'Mrs Clibran'

Toxicity

Edging lobelia is moderately toxic to both cats and dogs. Ingestion of any part of this plant can cause gastrointestinal upset and other symptoms. Pet owners should prevent access to edging lobelia and seek immediate veterinary care if poisoning is suspected.

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Quickly Identify Edging lobelia

Indigo blue flowers with white throat, tubular, 5-parted, irregularly shaped, 1 inch (2.5 cm).

Distinctive bronze-green foliage & trailing forms, reaching 4-6 inches in height.

Small dehiscent capsule <0.5 inches (1.27 cm), brownish hue. Seeds are fine dust-like texture.

Leaves without petioles, obvate lower leaves, linear upper leaves. Bright green with serrated edges.

Flowers with 5 lobes, dark blue, soft blue, carmine red, or pure white blooms.

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Care Guide for Edging lobelia

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

20 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Edging lobelia thrives in consistent moisture, requiring regular hydration and evenly moist soil for optimal growth. It benefits from weekly watering and is popular for container gardening due to its compact size. Proper water retention and drainage in potting soil are essential, especially during its active growing season.

Fertilize: Edging lobelia thrives with monthly balanced fertilizers, transitioning to high phosphorus before blooming. Apply carefully to avoid over-fertilization, particularly in winter when less is needed. A diluted liquid fertilizer is effective; ensure moist soil, starting at half-strength for beginners before increasing dosage.

Pruning: Edging lobelia features vibrant blue blooms and dense growth. Prune in early to late spring by deadheading and trimming leggy stems to promote continuous blooming and compact form. Effective pruning boosts air circulation, light penetration, and reduces disease risk, ensuring a healthier display throughout the growing season.

Propagation: The optimal propagation method for edging lobelia is sowing seeds in Spring. It is easy to propagate, shown by healthy seedling growth. For best results, ensure warm temperatures and consistent moisture are maintained.

Repotting: Repot edging lobelia every 2-3 years in spring for optimal growth. Use a slightly larger pot with drainage. After repotting, keep soil consistently moist and place edging lobelia in a sunny location to promote recovery and vibrant blooms.

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