Lobelia erinus Seeds | Edging Lobelia
LATIN NAME: Lobelia erinus
COMMON NAME: Edging Lobelia
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Edging Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) stands out as an annual in the bellflower family. Few garden flowers pack so much blue into such a small plant as edging lobelia. Low, mounded annual is smothered through summer in small, two-lipped flowers of deep, rich blue with white throats, and fine, narrow leaves keep mounds dense and neat. Plant is one of great edgers and basket plants of summer garden, and blue spills over path edge, pot rim and window box from early summer to the frost. Few species give back so generously for so little effort.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the bellflower family regularly include Lobelia erinus in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. Edging lobelia is a long-standing favourite of plant science, studied for small, two-lipped flowers and low, dense mounds. Contemporary seed practice means a grower can raise it confidently with standard techniques.
Uses & Benefits
Edging Lobelia brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Edging lobelia is a fine worker of summer border and wider world. Flowers draw bees and small flies of summer, and plant stays neat without the dead-heading. Edging lobelia is one of great blue plants of summer garden, and low mounds of deep blue flowers with white throats edge path and border with a crisp, clean line. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
Lobelia contains lobeline, a nicotine-like alkaloid that made Indian tobacco a famous old anti-smoking and expectorant herb; the margin of safety is narrow, so it is a professional herb only, while the garden lobelias are superb for bees.
Growing from Seed
Starting Edging Lobelia from seed is simple and satisfying. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Edging Lobelia repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Edging Lobelia often pair it with these related subjects: