Lobelia Lucia 'Dark Blue'

Description

Lobelia erinus and its many hybrids are gardening favourites due to their bright flower colour, form and abundance.  Heat tolerant Lucia 'Dark Blue' sparkles with bright, blue blooms covering dark green foliage in a neat, form-holding habit from late Winter through early Autumn. Even with such a long flowering period, deadheading isn't necessary since spent flowers curl back behind the foliage, although as Summer heats up, a light pruning may help. 

Uses

Lobelia are perfect for winter and spring colour when mass-planted with other low-growing shrubs in sunny garden beds. The informal yet compact habit of Lucia 'Dark Blue' is perfect for container planting in a feature pot or hanging basket and is particularly suited to combination container planting for foreground or filler colour. 

Care

With Lobelia, location is key. Choose a full sun to part shade position in well-drained soil or potting mix to which compost has been added. Mulch and water in well and regularly, particularly if planting into a pot, but ensure that the water drains well, because 'Dark Blue' does not like wet feet. Once established, apply weak liquid fertiliser every month. Deadheading is not strictly necessary, although as Summer comes on a light overall trim and removal of older flower stems may help stimulate more growth and enhance flowering for even longer lasting colour in this heat-tolerant Lobelia. A light prune when plants are beginning to look a bit sad together with an application of a balanced fertilizer will promote new growth and another crop of flowers. 

Wear gloves & wash hands after gardening.