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Lobelia x speciosa (Lobelia)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Lobelia x speciosa
Other names
Lobelia, Lobelia x gerardii
Genus
Lobelia Lobelia
Species
L. x speciosa - L. x speciosa is an upright, clump-forming, softly hairy perennial, often grown as an annual or biennial, with ovate to lance-shaped, pointed, mid- to dark green leaves and erect stems bearing terminal racemes of two-lipped, tubular, red, pink, or lavender flowers from summer into autumn.
Lobelia x speciosa is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Severe discomfort may result if ingested
Flower
Red, Lavender, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs Slugs
Diseases
May be prone to a virus
Crown rot , Virus Crown rot , Virus
General care
Pruning
Cut back faded flower stems in autumn.
Propagation
Seed can be sown as early as late winter. Seed may not come true to type.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Lobelia x speciosa (Lobelia) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal
Cultivation
Plant in deep, fertile, consistently moist soil in sun or partial shade. Protect with a dry winter mulch. Tends to be short-lived. Feed every 2 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser until midsummer & a low nitrogen fertiliser thereafter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Lobelia x speciosa
Other names
Lobelia, Lobelia x gerardii
Genus
Lobelia Lobelia
Species
L. x speciosa - L. x speciosa is an upright, clump-forming, softly hairy perennial, often grown as an annual or biennial, with ovate to lance-shaped, pointed, mid- to dark green leaves and erect stems bearing terminal racemes of two-lipped, tubular, red, pink, or lavender flowers from summer into autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Toxicity
Severe discomfort may result if ingested
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Colour
Flower
Red, Lavender, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
May be prone to a virus
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut back faded flower stems in autumn.
Propagation
Seed can be sown as early as late winter. Seed may not come true to type.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Lobelia x speciosa (Lobelia) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal
Cultivation
Plant in deep, fertile, consistently moist soil in sun or partial shade. Protect with a dry winter mulch. Tends to be short-lived. Feed every 2 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser until midsummer & a low nitrogen fertiliser thereafter.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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