Perennial lobelia: photo, planting and care, features of growing from seeds

Perennial Lobelia is a low herbaceous culture with small, abundant flowers of various shades (from white to lilac-blue). The plant is characterized by unpretentious care - it is enough to periodically water and feed it 3-4 times per season. The bushes bloom continuously from June to mid-September.

General description of perennial lobelia

Perennial Lobelia is a herbaceous plant resembling a small bush (up to 20-25 cm in height), densely covered with flowers. Main colors:

• white;
• light pink;
• blue;
• deep blue;
• purple;
• purple;
• purple.

It is decorated not only with flowers, but also with graceful small lanceolate leaves. They have a rich grassy green hue, against which the petals look harmoniously.

At the end of September, the seeds of Lobelia are formed in dense and dry capsules. They can be collected and stored in the refrigerator. They retain their germination capacity for 2-3 years. Almost all varieties can be bred independently - for this, seedlings are first grown, and then transferred to open ground (April - May).

Lobelia flowers reach 2-3 cm in diameter

Types and varieties of perennial lobelia with photos and descriptions

There are more than 300 varieties of perennial lobelia, and only 20 varieties are grown in the garden. The most popular ones are:

• lobelia Erinus;
• Lovely;
• Sapphire;
• Purple;
• Red;
• The swallow nest;
• Blue river.

Perennial lobelia Erinus (pictured) has flowers of different colors:

• purple;
• blue;
• pale blue;
• white.

They can be used both in single plantings and in flower arrangements. There are ampelous varieties that are hung in pots on the veranda, terrace, next to the entrance.

Perennial bushes are lush and beautiful.

Lobelia Fine is one of the most winter-hardy varieties that can be bred in most regions of Russia, including Siberia, the Urals and the Northwest. It has flowers up to 3 cm in diameter, in color they are red, pink, purple.

A distinctive feature of the excellent variety is a powerful, vigorous bush up to 100 cm high

Lobelia Sapphire is so named because of its deep blue color. It can be grown outdoors and at home. Long flowering, very lush, large bushes. In Russian conditions, it does not tolerate frost well. Therefore, in winter, perennial lobelia should be taken to a heated veranda, insulated balcony or loggia.

Perennial bushes Sapphire look very impressive

Lobelia purple is also called cardinal. It has an uncharacteristic bush shape - erect stems with lush bright red flowers. A very effective, attractive shrub that is best planted in the center of the garden or in another prominent place.

This variety is very fond of water, so it is better to plant next to a country pond or other body of water.

Another representative with a bright color is red lobelia.A very powerful, vigorous shrub with large shoots dotted with attractive flowers. Differs in moderate winter hardiness, can be left in the open field, but be sure to cover with spunbond, foliage and other materials at hand.

The height of the red lobelia bush reaches 100-150 cm

For lovers of delicate shades, the Swallow's Nest variety has been specially created with flowers of rich blue and lilac shades. The stems are small in size, reaching a height of 25 cm. Winter hardiness is low, so it is better to additionally cover it with spandobond, and in cold regions it is imperative to transfer it to a heated room.

Lilac flowers look good against a background of pale green leaves

Another interesting variety of perennial lobelia is the Blue River. The petals are painted in shades of white, blue and lilac. The bush is quite tall (up to 60-70 cm), the flowers are small (2 cm in diameter), with a very graceful shape and original color.

The flowers are double-colored, making the bush look picturesque

Breeding features

There are several ways to reproduce this plant:

• growing from seeds;
• cuttings (green shoots);
• division of the bush.

Seeds for seedlings are planted in February or March, at first they are grown at a temperature of 24-25 ° C, then hardened, and at the beginning of May they are transplanted into open ground. Green cuttings are obtained in the summer, germinated, then transplanted to a permanent place in the fall. The division of the bush is carried out only in adult plants at the age of at least 3-4 years. Usually the procedure is practiced in the spring. At the same time, each division should have 2-3 strong shoots.

Application in landscape design

Perennial lobelia stems begin to branch from the roots, they grow in about the same way, so as a result, the bush quickly takes the form of a beautiful, symmetrical ball. It tightly covers the soil, so the plant is used in a variety of ways:

1. For decorating nondescript corners of the garden.
   
2. In compositions with other colors (borders, mixborders).
   
3. Planting in rows (of one or more varieties of perennial lobelia), especially along garden zoning paths.
   
4. Planting in rabatkas or unusual flower beds.
   
5. Planting in pots and pots. The containers can be placed in any part of the garden, which is especially convenient for creating original compositions that can be freely changed.
   
   
   

   Lobelia is combined with hosts and other ornamental shrubs

   

   Low-growing flowers perfectly frame a flower garden or flower bed

   

   Flowers of blue shades are harmoniously combined with white

Planting perennial lobelia

One of the most effective ways to grow perennial lobelia is to plant seeds for seedlings. Seed germination is almost 100%, and planting seedlings is easy, you can do this at normal room temperature.

Timing

Before being transferred to open ground, the seedlings are grown for 50-60 days. Therefore, usually the seeds begin to sow as early as late February or early March, in order to transplant them in late April - early May.

Even if the deadline is missed, you can plant seeds in April. Then flowering will begin after 3-4 weeks. But if the gardener plans to collect seeds, this method will not work, because they ripen at the end of September, and in October they may already die due to early frosts.

Preparation of containers and soil

It is most convenient to grow perennial lobelia seeds in individual peat tablets. The fact is that they are very small, and it is almost unrealistic to pick the seedlings one at a time. Therefore, it is better to immediately put it in tablets or in small pots, cassettes and other containers.

The soil can be purchased at the store or made on the basis of peat and garden soil in a 1: 1 ratio. It's a good idea to add 2-3 pinches of sand and 1 whisper of wood ash to the soil. Previously, the earth is disinfected in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide or frozen for 5 days. It is not recommended to use organic components (humus, compost).

Planting perennial lobelia seeds for seedlings

The seeds of perennial lobelia are very small, so they work with them with a moistened toothpick. Sequence of actions for landing:

1. The containers are disinfected in a weak solution of peroxide or potassium permanganate, drain holes are made.
2. The soil is thoroughly crushed and poured into a prepared container.
3. They transfer seeds (2-3 pieces) and leave them on the surface - no need to sprinkle with earth.
4. Moisten abundantly.

Seedlings of perennial lobelia are best grown in individual pots

Growing seedlings of perennial lobelia from seeds

Containers with seeds are covered with a foil with holes or glass and removed to a warm place. First, it is kept at a temperature of 25 ° C, then it can be reduced to 20-22 ° C. The instruction is quite simple:

1. The soil needs to be moistened regularly.
2. It is advisable to light up to 12-13 hours a day.
3. After the appearance of three leaves, they are seated (if the planting is too tight).
4. The greenhouse is periodically ventilated, the film is finally removed after a month.
5. 2-3 weeks before being transferred to the open ground, they begin to harden - they are transferred to the balcony or to the open air (the desired temperature is 15-18 ° C).

Planting and caring for perennial lobelia outdoors

In the south, seedlings are transferred at the end of April, in the middle lane - in early May, in the Urals and Siberia - at the end of the month. The place for transplanting should be open and sunny, weak partial shade is allowed. It is better to choose a small hill, because Lobelia does not like lowlands.

Transfer

The transplantation technology is simple - perennial seedlings, together with an earthen lump, are transferred into prepared holes (interval 15-20 cm). At the stage of digging, a complex mineral fertilizer can be applied to the site. It is not worth using organic matter.

Watering and feeding schedule

Water the lobelia abundantly and regularly. In the absence of rain, 1-2 times a week, and during drought, three times. It is not worth overmoistening the soil, because this can negatively affect the roots.

Top dressing is applied 3 times per season:

1. Immediately after transplanting - nitrogen or complex mineral fertilizer.
2. During flowering - superphosphates and potassium salt (can be used every 3 weeks).
3. The last potassium phosphate dressing is carried out in mid-August.

Regular fertilization guarantees long-lasting, stable flowering of perennial lobelia

Weeding and loosening the soil

Usually, perennial lobelia quickly displaces weeds. But periodically, 2 times a month, it is recommended to carry out additional weeding. The soil must be loosened with the same frequency - this is especially important after fertilization.

Topping

Perennial lobelia bushes grow quite quickly and luxuriantly, so you need to pinch them to give them the correct shape. Strongly protruding shoots are shortened by 5-7 cm or more - it is necessary for the plant to take the shape of a ball. In the case of cardinal, purple and other upright varieties of lobelia, pinching is not necessary. However, it will not be superfluous to slightly shorten the branches, which stand out strongly from the general row.

Preparing for winter

Perennial lobelia wintering features depend on climatic features:

1. Leaving all types of perennial lobelia outdoors is allowed only in the southern regions.
2. In Siberia and other areas with frosty winters, almost all varieties are best taken home.
3. In the Moscow region and the middle lane, everything depends on the characteristics of a particular variety. Winter-hardy bushes are cut almost at the root (leave 2-3 cm) and covered with fallen leaves.

Pests and diseases

Different varieties of perennial lobelia rarely suffer from diseases or pests, but sometimes they are affected by fungal infections:

• rust;
• powdery mildew;
• root rot.

Therefore, immediately after transplanting seedlings into open ground, it is advisable to treat them with any fungicide, for example, "Ordan", "Tattu", "Profit". Re-processing is carried out only if there are signs of the disease (spots on the leaves, yellowing, wilting).

Thrips and slugs are the most common pests.

Insects can be fought with any insecticide

They cope well with the task "Aktellik", "Fitoverm", "Confidor", "Decis". Folk remedies help get rid of slugs. You can scatter stone chips or crushed eggshells near the planting row.

Periodically, perennial lobelia bushes should be examined for signs of disease.

Conclusion

Perennial Lobelia is one of the most beautiful plants, which, thanks to its lush flowering, will decorate the garden throughout the summer and even in autumn. You can grow seedlings of any kind at home. In the future, caring for the bushes is not difficult, but for the winter in most regions they should be carefully covered or moved home.

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