Lobelia richardsonii hort.![RHS AGM](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS-AGM--Small-Vert__web.svg)
Richardson lobelia
A bushy evergreen perennial with lax trailing shoots, to 10cm tall, with narrow, dark green leaves and 2-lipped, white-throated sky blue flowers in the upper leaf axils
![](https://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselectorimages/detail/WSY0050628_5784.jpg)
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue | Green | ||
Autumn | Blue | Green | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Lobelia can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with simple leaves and showy 2-lipped flowers that may be solitary or in racemes or panicles
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks in spring and early summer and then a high potash fertiliser from midsummer onwards. In containers, use a multipurpose compost
Propagation
Propagate by seed at 13-18°C in late winter
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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