Lobelia ‘String of Pearls’ (L. erinus)
Half Hardy Annual
Bushy plants bearing a profusion of flowers in a lovely colour mixture. Compact plants covered with tiny flowers throughout the summer, ideal for tubs or bedding, often grown with alyssum. Bush variety. Height 10cm (4″).
Seeds from Suttons
Sow indoors
Sow outdoors
Plant out
Flowers
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Suitable for borders and containers
10cm
Bushy
Sow singly or in small groups spaced about 1cm apart in trays of a good seed compost. Press gently into the surface and germinate at approx. 15-20°C (60-68°F) in a light position and maintain moisture. Germination 10-21 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle 5cm (2″) apart in trays and grow on. Acclimatise to outside conditions before planting out 15cm (6″) apart in a sunny position when the danger of frost has passed..
Trim back plants, after the first flush of blooms fades, to encourage further flowering.
A new thing for me from Suttons. The seeds came in a small plastic phial with a pop-off lid. They are also “SupaSeeds”, individually coated for easier handling. Hey if I can handle sundew seeds I can handle bloody anything.
The lobelia I grew in the borders last year (2023) did well, if a little overexcitable on the path, so I’m going to plant again this year. This time though I’m opting for mixed colours. If it works…