lobelia

One of the best true blue flowering annuals that produces an abundance of small, tubular yet fan shaped blooms over clean green to bronze, serrated foliage. Newer varieties possess larger flowers, excellent branching, a good mounding and trailing habit that will work as a “filler” or “spiller”, requires no deadheading, and enhanced heat and humidity resistance. Use as an edging plant, in rock gardens, and as a butterfly attractant. Flowers also come in shades of purple, pink, blue and white.

Grow in cool sunny to part shade areas, well-drained, evenly moist amended soil or containers. Feed with a slow release fertilizer, Osmocote® or Plant-tone®. Follow label instructions. No deadheading needed, but may need to trim back in the heat of the summer. Mulch 2″ to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature.