Lobelia 'Starship Scarlet' – Hardy Perennial Lobelia (Set of 3 or 6)

Lobelia 'Starship Scarlet' is a hardy perennial lobelia, sending up tall spikes of rich scarlet red flowers from summer into early autumn.

This is Lobelia x speciosa, the border kind rather than the small trailing bedding lobelia. It makes an upright, clump forming plant around 50 to 70cm tall and 30 to 40cm across, with dark green to bronze tinted lance shaped leaves, and the flower spikes stand well clear of the leaves. Bees and butterflies work them steadily for as long as they are open.

It comes back each year and stays out through the winter, so give it a spot where the soil stays reliably moist: a mid border position, or the edge of a pond or a stream, suits it far better than anywhere that bakes dry. Plants arrive as established 1L rootballs ready to go straight out. Mulch the crown in autumn and divide the clumps every two or three years in spring to keep them vigorous. All lobelia is harmful if eaten and toxic to cats and dogs.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Perennial lobelia, cardinal flower
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 50 to 70cm tall and 30 to 40cm across
• Growth Habit: Upright and clump forming
• Perfect For: Borders, mixed beds, waterside planting and large containers
• Foliage: Dark green to bronze tinted lance shaped leaves
• Flowering Time: Summer to early autumn
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade in soil that stays reliably moist, and it grows well in a large container
• Soil Type: Moist, fertile and humus rich
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Maintenance: Cut back the spent spikes, mulch the crown in autumn and divide every two or three years
• Seasonal Interest: Summer and autumn
• Type: Hardy herbaceous perennial, listed with our bedding and basket plants

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