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Annual BiennialBedding

Lobelia erinus 'String of Pearls'

trailing lobelia 'String of Pearls'

'String of Pearls' is a spreading annual to 25cm in height, with neat foliage and flowers in shades of light and deep blue, purple or white, some with a white eye

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Blue Purple White Green
Autumn Blue Purple White Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Campanulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Apply a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during spring and early summer and a nitrogen free fertilizer every two weeks from mid-summer onwards

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 13-18°C in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.