Lobelia

The perennial side of Lobelia is quite different from the familiar bedding plants. These taller Lobelia plants produce upright stems lined with vivid flowers, often in intense shades of scarlet, crimson, purple, blue or pink. Set against fresh green or, in some cultivars, deep bronze-purple foliage, they can create one of the strongest colour contrasts in a summer border.

Many hardy or semi-hardy perennial lobelias appreciate fertile soil that stays reliably moist through the growing season. That makes them particularly useful in damp borders and around ponds, where their slender flower spikes can rise between broader-leaved plants and softer forms. Bees and other pollinators visit the flowers readily, while the upright habit allows perennial Lobelia to add height without taking up excessive width.

Bare-root lobelias are a particularly appealing choice where strong colour is wanted in a planting scheme that still feels elegant. Some varieties may appreciate winter protection in colder or very wet UK gardens, so growing conditions are worth matching carefully to the cultivar. Given the right position, however, Lobelia brings a distinctive combination of rich colour, vertical structure and lush seasonal growth.