Lobelia in landscape design - combination in a flowerbed with other flowers

Lobelia is a herbaceous plant that delights with its flowering throughout the summer. Many gardeners are attracted by the bright shade of the flowers, which makes the plant popular in the design of local areas. Cultivated species are often found in the landscape to decorate garden and park areas. Its decorative appearance allows you to embody the most unusual design ideas.

Gardeners are attracted to lobelia by the abundance of flowering and variety of forms - the bush of this plant can be compact, ampelous or cascading

Combination of annuals in a flower garden: choosing the best varieties of annual flowers

The beautiful design of flower beds begins in early spring, since already from mid-April, the flower bed can be decorated with multi-colored variegated violas that are not afraid of cold weather.
Violas will be accompanied by the cold-resistant cineraria maritima with fluffy white-silver leaves. And after a month and a half, by the end of May, the composition can be changed to a more heat-loving one. Waller's balsams, later violas, petunias , coleus, verbena and other annuals will be used. In August, the flower beds can be replaced again, then the golden autumn tones will prevail: marigolds and dahlias.

Alternating annuals allows the flowers to remain fresh all the time and create “paintings of flowers.”

Bright flowers of some species and unusually colored leaves of others allow you to create whole pictures in gardens. Compositions of annuals are good against the backdrop of lawns, in parterres, and along paths.

What plants can be combined with?

Bush petunia is a fairly friendly plant that gets along well with other flowers. The selection of companions should be made based on the following criteria:

• color spectrum;
• harmony of forms;
• dimensions;
• method of growth and cultivation;
• seasonal similarities and differences.

Petunia goes well with spring flowers, but you need to remember that petunia blooms for a long period of time, so at the beginning of summer you will have to carefully clear the flowerbed of already dried spring neighbors. After these steps, the flower garden should not look like a bed with bald spots.

To make it easier to choose flowers for landscape design, we suggest looking at photographs of harmonious combinations of petunias with specific plants.

You can emphasize the riot of colors of petunia with the outline of an openwork silver cineraria.

How to create a simple flower garden

Modern landscape design uses a wide variety of combinations of annual species and uniform plantings. The simplest flower garden or flower bed can be arranged from plants of the same species or variety. For example, from plain marigolds, petunias , coleus, black lobelia, dahlias, gazania , salvia, verbena, balsam or viola. Such flower beds add rigor to the landscape, placing emphasis on one particular color shade, which can be combined with nearby buildings or other garden plants (for example, flowering shrubs).

Compositions with fiery lobelia with names

Perennial lobelia can decorate any flower arrangement or flower bed. Flower perennials can be an excellent addition to an original artificial pond or alpine slide. In design art, it is correct to use plants of dwarf varieties - they will not suffer as much in windy times.

The combination of lobelia with the following plants looks great in a flower arrangement:

• Marigold;
• Petunia;
• Pelargonium;
• Matricaria;
• Balsam.

It must be taken into account that neighboring plants must have the same watering requirements. So, with not much effort, you can get a colorful and original plant in your garden plot.

By transplanting lobelia into a pot for the winter, you can observe its flowering all year round.

So, with not much effort, you can get a colorful and original plant in your garden. By transplanting lobelia into a pot for the winter, you can observe its flowering all year round.

Color combinations in a flower bed - the laws of landscape design

A more complex option is when the same species is used in variety mixtures. In this case, the flower beds take on the appearance of a cut of variegated chintz. Color spots can be scattered in any order, and the deliberate use of variously colored varieties of the same species allows you to create one or another pattern.

Color combinations in landscape design can be very different and often depend on the taste of the garden owner, or necessity. Often there are both contrasting color combinations (for example, yellow and brown, orange and lemon marigolds, dark purple and white petunias, white and pink impatiens, white and dark blue lobelias, orange and purple violas, etc.), and belonging to the same or similar color schemes (for example, canary and yellow marigolds, light and dark lilac lobelias, the same ageratums, pink and lilac verbenas, light lilac and pink-raspberry petunias, raspberry and hot pink balsams). Most modern variety mixtures of annuals are designed in such a way that the plantings have interesting and eye-pleasing color combinations.

Plant care tips

Caring for lobelia itself is not very difficult, although each species has its own characteristics.

In order for the plant to feel comfortable, you need to perform several simple steps:

• water on time;
• prevent weeds from growing around;
• periodically fertilize with mineral fertilizers (the fertilizing period is individual for each species);
• trim bare shoots in time.

Features of caring for a particular flower depend only on its type. Each type of lobelia has its own characteristics, which are worth familiarizing yourself with at the stage of purchasing seeds.

Geometry and pattern of a flower garden: how to combine flowers correctly

Finally, flower beds can consist of a fairly large set of different types - both compatible and contrasting in color and texture. The alternation of yellow or orange and blue or lilac stripes (spots) looks great. For this, marigolds, ageratums, lobelias, petunias or violas of suitable color are used. White and purple flowers look wonderful side by side; this combination looks especially impressive when several shades of purple are used and tones of blue and blue are added - lobelia, ageratum, petunias, viola.

The white or light silver-gray color in plantings is obtained not only from the flowers, but also from the leaves. Cineraria maritima becomes an indispensable plant here. It goes well with lobelias, petunias, ageratum, and balsam. The use of different varieties of cineraria can add additional flavor. Interesting color schemes can be achieved by placing nearby, for example, bright scarlet alvia and dark purple ageratum , red salvia and yellow marigolds.

Very impressive compositions in a flower garden can be obtained from coleus with variously colored leaves: lemon, bright green, dark burgundy, pink, variegated. Such a decorative leafy flower bed, similar in color to the tail of a peacock, will not be inferior to flower beds in brightness and surpasses them in originality.

Reproduction methods

The flower can be propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Propagation by seeds

Lobelia seeds are planted in the ground in the same way as any other seeds.

When you independently collect the seeds of an ampelous flower, the grown plants may differ from the mother plant.

This applies to hybrid plants. In this regard, it is better to propagate hybrid varieties through cuttings.

From the video you will learn how to grow lobelia from seeds:

Cuttings

1. Already mature bushes are taken for cuttings. The flower is dug up along with the root system, without clearing it of soil. After this, they are transplanted into a flowerpot for wintering indoors. The flowering process can last until frost, then a two-month dormant period. Place the lobelia in a cool place and stop watering it abundantly.
2. By the end of February, the flower produces young branches. You need to add fresh soil to the flowerpot, and distribute the edges in different directions. A little later, shoots will appear at the base. They need to be cut off and placed in separate containers.
3. When the “kids” reach 4-5 cm, they are pinched to get several young plants from the cuttings at once. In May they are placed in open ground.

Lobelia is an architectural and decorative plant that will decorate any corner of the house and garden with its bright, dense blooms. It comes in a variety of colors and is easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for any gardener.

Plants of different heights in a flowerbed

When planting annual plants in flower beds, you should take into account their compatibility not only in color, but also in height. Lower and more compact species and varieties are used as a border or “contour” of a flower garden. Coleus, cineraria maritima, Waller's balsam, violas, lobelia, ageratum, and low-growing varieties of marigolds are indispensable for these purposes. As you move towards the center of the flowerbed, the height of the plants increases. But this is only one of the planting options, because a flower bed can be created from plants of the same height. You should not mix plants of different heights in random order: in this case, the tall ones will not only hide the shorter ones from view, but will also interfere with their growth and development.

Watering and fertilizing

A competent approach to growing lobelia requires compliance with care rules, including watering rules. In order for the plant to look fresh, bloom profusely and develop well, it is necessary to provide watering every three days.

There is no doubt that you need to build on the weather conditions. Both excessive drying of the top layer of soil and excessive humidity should not be allowed.

It is best to fertilize the soil in the holes once every two weeks, and it is recommended to use liquid complex fertilizers intended for flowering plants.

Pots and other compact flower beds

Speaking about planting annuals, one cannot help but touch upon such forms of flower beds as flower pots and hanging baskets. In baskets, as in flower beds, annuals can grow of the same species and variety, or of different ones, capable of forming more or less long climbing shoots: ampelous varieties of petunias, black lobelia, verbena. Color shades are determined at will.

Desirable plants for mixed compositions are low-growing violas, Waller's balsam, compact coleus. These species do not stretch, successfully masking the bases of climbing shoots of ampelous varieties that become exposed over time.

Gazania, marigolds, ageratum, Waller's balsam, coleus, dahlias, petunia and cineraria grow well in stationary flowerpots.

Marina Novoselova, Candidate of Biological Sciences

Source

Lobelia bush Nostalgia or carefree childhood

Lobelia Nostalgie causes the gardener the most problems. Even at the seedling stage, the seedlings begin to branch very strongly. At this stage of its development, the lateral stems develop rapidly. As soon as it is transplanted into a flowerbed, it grows even more. For this reason, the crop is placed in a separate area of ​​the front garden. However, such spreading bushes look very impressive. Lonely bluish flowers stand out amazingly against the background of soft green foliage. Such heavenly blue reminds many of childhood, which is why the variety was called “nostalgia”.

What is this flower

Lobelia is one of the most popular types of flowers for the garden or cottage.

Lobelia is one of the popular plants among gardeners. It attracts attention with its delicate flowers, which grow in dense groups, and the ampelous forms hang beautifully from the flower pots, reminiscent of a waterfall. This plant is a perennial shrub of the Bellflower family, which in our country is grown, in most cases, as an annual. The flower's homeland is South Africa, where the flower grows on wet and rocky cliffs, although it can be found almost all over the world in tropical and temperate climates. In total, there are about 300 species of lobelia, of which only 20 are cultivated.

Growing methods

As a rule, the White Lady is grown using seedlings. Seeds are sown in special containers. If it is granular material, then it is placed in special cassettes. But first of all, you need to choose the right seeds.

Seeds: advantages and disadvantages

1. Pros: not a labor-intensive process.
2. Minuses:
   very small seed material;
3. seedlings with split characteristics;
4. small seedlings.

Collecting seeds

After abundant flowering of lobelia, the period of seed ripening begins. They are collected in the autumn after the bushes have withered and the boxes have turned yellow. Place in a deep container and shake out indoors. Since the White Lady's seed material is like dust - very fine and light.

This drawback can be solved by purchasing granulated lobelia seeds from gardening stores. Growing from such material is much simpler and allows you to get up to 5 plants in one nest.

Landing

Sowing seedlings

1. It is necessary to fill a special container with soil.
2. Then treat with a special solution of phytosporin (for soil disinfection).
3. After drying, lightly compact.
4. The seeds need to be mixed with sand (or, for example, coffee) for even distribution.
5. Gently slam it down, pressing it slightly into the ground.
6. The containers are placed in a transparent bag and covered with film.
7. Place it on the battery.
8. Ventilate every day.

In cassettes and peat tablets

For this planting method, you will need granulated seeds. Each granule contains several seeds (about 8 pieces). It is best to sow them in cassettes that have special recesses. You need to place granules in them.

This method greatly simplifies planting. Do the same with peat tablets. But ordinary (for example, collected by hand) seeds are also suitable for it. You can place them using a toothpick.

The seeds germinate about a week after planting.

Seedlings

As soon as the first shoots appear, the seedlings must be placed on the window, right next to the glass. Because she desperately needs light. While the seedlings have just sprouted, they do not need special care. It is only necessary to irrigate with a small amount of water, as overwatering can lead to plant disease.

If this does happen, the diseased specimens are removed. And the soil is spilled with fungicide and dried.

Picking

It is carried out 21 days after sowing. Plants are planted in separate containers (for example, cups). It seems impossible to plant one at a time, since the seedlings are very small and fragile. Reminds me of moss.

The transplant process occurs as follows:

1. A container is prepared - a container or glass for seedlings.
2. A small depression is made in the ground.
3. Using a plastic knife, you need to carefully separate several plants and transfer them to a prepared place.
4. Water lightly.
5. Sprinkle soil around the seedlings.

After picking, plant growth gains strength. Therefore, lobelia needs as much light as possible. If the weather permits, it is best to place the seedlings on the balcony or illuminate them with a phytolamp.

Moderate watering is important and the soil should not be allowed to dry out.

You can feed it a couple of times with a weak solution of mineral fertilizers.

Transfer to the ground

The White Lady is planted in the flowerbed at the end of May.

1. The soil is loosened and fertilized with organic or mineral fertilizers.
2. Small piles of plants are planted in holes located at a distance of at least 15 cm from each other.

Plants are resistant to diseases and tolerate replanting stress well.

Cuttings

• Advantages: plants retain varietal properties.
• Disadvantages: to propagate the White Lady in this way, you need an already grown bush of the plant.

Selection and preparation of cuttings

A strong, healthy plant is suitable for cuttings.

1. In the fall, an adult bush needs to be dug up along with a lump of earth and transplanted into a spacious container. With proper care, the White Lady will delight you with its flowering until January. The plant's dormant period lasts about two months. At the same time, the number of waterings of the plant is reduced.
2. When young shoots appear on the bush (around February), they are cut off as soon as they reach 7 cm in length.
3. They are then transplanted into soil that contains sand and vermiculite.
4. A shelter similar to a greenhouse is installed above the container with cuttings. Half a plastic bottle is suitable for this. Ventilation must be carried out daily.
5. White Lady is ready to plant as soon as roots appear. This will take a couple of weeks.

Carrying out the procedure

Planting takes place at the end of May.

1. Young plants are planted on a pre-prepared site. The area should be well lit. With moist fertile soil.
2. Dig shallow holes up to 30 cm. At a distance of 20 cm.
3. The bottom is drained with expanded clay.
4. The seedlings are placed in a hole and the roots are covered with soil.

The place of lobelia in landscape design

Lobelia is quite often used in landscape design. The flower looks great both on the balcony and in the form of “carpets” near ponds, in alpine slide compositions next to other perennials. In modern design, lobelia is widely used to create coziness in the corners of the garden, for which it is planted in flowerpots or containers. The most common places for planting plants at home are flower beds, borders, and hanging baskets.

In the flowerbed

Before planting a flower on a garden bed or flowerbed, you need to think about what the color scheme of the future composition will be.

Rabatka is a rectangular flower garden in the form of a narrow strip of about 2 m, located along a fence or garden path with other plants.

To combine with lobelia, the flowerbed must be formed from similar shades: blue, lilac, light blue, violet. This combination of colors looks quite attractive: crimson and white, blue and red, yellow and blue.

To combine with lobelia, the flowerbed should be formed from purple, lilac, blue and light blue shades

In hanging baskets

When growing ampelous species, such flowers look most beautiful in hanging baskets in the form of a ball - the plants are a continuous carpet of flowers that hides the frame. One of the easiest options for planting lobelia is coconut liners. Holes are first made in them, filled with soil and plants are planted on the outside of the container.

Ampelous lobelias look great in hanging baskets

In decorative flowerpots

Lobelia looks very attractive in decorative flowerpots, for which you need to choose the right “neighbors”. If you use low-growing flowers in tandem with it, then to diversify the composition you can plant plants with different leaf textures and flower sizes. Large diameter pots are perfect for such plantings. To add dynamism to the flower arrangement, you can combine compact plants with upright growing ones.

An original solution in landscape design would be to use a flowerpot similar to a round vase. In this case, the ampelous lobelia can be planted in the bowl itself, and small bushes of this flower can be planted at the foot, making a light backfill. To add some flair to your garden design, you can install several flowerpots of different sizes with contrasting colors.

To make lobelia in flowerpots look attractive, you need to choose the right “neighbors”

Tower of flowerpots

Lobelia stands out noticeably when grown in a flower tower, that is, pots stacked on top of each other. To form such a composition, take several clay pots with a difference in diameter of about 7 cm. After this, fill the lower container with soil and insert reinforcement, which is buried in the garden soil through a hole in the bottom, thereby ensuring the stability of the flower shelf. The remaining pots are placed on top of each other, putting them on the reinforcement and filling them with soil, followed by compaction. Lobelia is planted in combination with other flowers, starting from the lower pots, after which it is watered abundantly. In such compositions, blue flowers go well with purple and pink petunia, as well as white and red balsam.

As an example, a tower of pots is given, in which the lobelia will stand out noticeably

Pests and diseases

It cannot be said that lobelia is highly susceptible to various kinds of diseases, but they still occur. Their appearance is often associated with improper care. There are three main ailments, namely:

1. “Black leg” - often harms a plant that is in the seedling stage. It manifests itself as darkening and thinning of the root collar, as a result of which the plant dies. The disease can be overcome by treatment with Provikur. Then it should be sprinkled with sand so that new roots grow;

2. Tracheomycosis wilt - the cause is contaminated soil or seeds. In a diseased bush, darkening of the blood vessels and wilting of the lower leaves with possible subsequent death are observed. In this case, the plant should be removed and the hole should be sprinkled with chalk or lime;

3. Gray rot - occurs as a result of improper care. High humidity combined with low temperature and lack of light leads to the formation of fungus. The disease manifests itself as a dusty coating and the appearance of brown spots in the affected areas. Infected areas must be removed and the plant treated with a fungicide.

Lobelia can also suffer from various pests. Thrips and slugs pose a particular threat. Light spots on the leaves are a sign that thrips have “worked” here. In this case, the flowering of the bush stops, and the leaves change shape. In this case, treatment with Fitoverm and Tsvetolux will help. Traces of slugs are paths and holes covered in mucus on the leaves. To eliminate them, gardeners use roofing felt. It must be laid next to the bush, and when the pests move onto it in search of a place to sleep, collect them. Mulching will prevent slugs from getting onto the plant.

Lobelia varieties

There are a large number of varieties of lobelia, which differ in the length of the shoots, size and color of the flowers. The most popular of them are hanging and bush ones.

Ampelnaya

Ampelous lobelias (climbing) are plants with thin and long shoots up to 60–70 cm. The flowers and leaves on them are scattered along the entire length of the branch. This species looks great not only in hanging containers, but also on the ground. Long branches spread out to the sides without interfering with other flowers. The ampelous look is great for decorating large flowerpots and flower beds, but for paths this option will not be the best, since you will simply walk over the flowers.

Ampelous lobelias have many varieties, here are some of them:

Ampelous lobelia has many types and is suitable for decorating large flowerpots, flower beds, paths

Bush

Bush lobelia has spreading and compact bushes with a stem length of up to 30 cm. This species is excellent for decorating ridges, flower beds, paths, flower beds, and borders.

It is recommended to pinch ampelous lobelia, which promotes better branching.

Of the bush lobelias, the most popular variety is the Royal Palace variety. It is characterized by bright red flowers and bronze leaves. Bushes are formed in height up to 12–15 cm.

Cascade

Cascading lobelias are the most lush. Compared to ordinary ones, they are less dense, but longer - 35–40 cm. They can be planted on the ground, but a greater effect can be achieved when placed on a hill, for example, in flowerpots, pots, boxes.

Cascade lobelia has less dense bushes than regular lobelia, but longer branches - 35–40 cm

Annuals

Lobelias are also divided into annual and perennial species. Annual plants include those plants that, after flowering, are not replanted and are not transferred to more comfortable conditions for the winter. Of the annuals, species such as Ezhevidnaya, Thinest and Strong are distinguished.

Hedgehog lobelia is a bush 10–30 cm high. It is also called Erinus, blue or border. The plants have small leaves and flowers with a diameter of 1.5–2 cm. Depending on the variety, the flower may have a purple, white, light blue or dark blue color.

Lobelia Erinus has small leaves and flowers with a diameter of 1.5–2 cm, the color of which can be blue, blue, purple, white

Lobelia Strong has straight stems and lush foliage. A distinctive feature is long flowering. The shoots reach a height of 40 cm.

Perennial

Of the perennials, we can distinguish Lobelia Beautiful, Purple and Brilliant.

Lobelia the Beautiful is a plant with a shoot height of 65–90 cm. The species is quite frost-resistant and can withstand even the most severe cold.

Lobelia the Beautiful reaches a height of 65–90 cm and is a frost-resistant plant

Lobelia Purple grows well in shallow water and marshy soils, so it is excellent for decorating artificial reservoirs. The inflorescences are shaped like spikelets and reach a height of 90 cm. This species is also frost-resistant.

Lobelia Shiny - grows up to 75 cm and has small flowers of bright red color. The leaves can be red or green, depending on the variety. The plant's winter hardiness is average, so it is better to move the flower to cold, frost-free rooms in the winter.

How to grow in open ground?

Before planting in the garden, seedlings must be properly hardened off. To do this, the seedlings are placed in the shade outdoors during the day; the weather should be warm and windless. The next day, they are taken out into partial shade, and only then can they be placed in the sun for an hour. Planting depends on what kind of plant you want to end up with. To form scattered bushes, seedlings are planted in small holes every 25 cm, and if they want to get a continuous covering, every 10-15 cm.

Lobelia is easy to care for and does not require much attention. The soil is suitable loose, with good water permeability. It is better not to plant on fertile soil, since the greenery of the plant will grow well there, but flowers may not appear. For abundant flowering, feed with sodium sulfate, and provide moderate moisture. Lobelia grows well in well-lit areas, but does just as well in areas where bright light lasts only 2-3 hours.

Flowering times vary for all species, but most bloom before frost. Perennial species are well wrapped for the winter and left on the site. Or you can dig up the plant, keep it indoors and plant it in the garden next spring.

The most popular varieties with photos

There are many varieties of lobelia that differ in color: white, blue, purple, lilac, red. Let's look at the most popular of them.

Sapphire - the plant is endowed with lush and hanging stems, reaching a length of 35 cm. The variety blooms with small, blue flowers with white spots on the petals.

Lobelya Sapphire is endowed with lush and drooping stems reaching a length of 35 cm

Emperor Willie is a dwarf variety with a bush height of no more than 10 cm. The flowers are blue. This variety is excellent for border plantings.

Emperor Willy is a dwarf variety with a bush height of no more than 10 cm

Crystal Palace - the variety is distinguished by abundant flowering with many small flowers blooming simultaneously on the bush. The color of the flowers is deep purple.

The peculiarity of lobelia Crystal Palace is abundant flowering with many simultaneously blooming small flowers on the bush

Cambridge Blue - the variety has low-growing and lush bushes with branches up to 10 cm long. The flowers are small in size, pale purple in color with a blue tint.

The Cambridge Blue variety has low-growing and lush bushes with branches up to 10 cm long and pale purple flowers with a blue tint.

Lobelia Riviera is an annual plant that blooms throughout the season and reaches a height of 10 cm. The flowers are bright pink or dark blue. During the period of abundant flowering, the leaves are almost completely hidden by the flowers. The variety is best suited for planting on borders or in boxes on balconies.

Lobelia Riviera blooms throughout the season and reaches a height of 10 cm

Miss Klibran is a wide bush with a flowering area up to 30 cm in diameter. The plant grows up to 15 cm, the flowers are bright purple with a white center.

Lobelia Miss Clibran has a flowering area up to 30 cm in diameter and reaches a height of 15 cm

Blue fountain - the bush is formed from 6-8 stems no more than 30 cm long. The branches resemble a blooming blue fountain. The flowers are characterized by a blue color with a white spot.

Lobelia variety Blue Fountain is formed from 6–8 stems up to 30 cm long, and the branches resemble a blue fountain of flowers

Growing seeds for seedlings

Lobelia seeds are small in size; when sown in the soil, they must be mixed with sand. After planting, they are not compacted, but rather watered by spraying so that the seeds are not washed away. They can be sown in a specially prepared container, with a drainage layer placed on the bottom. To ensure high germination, do not cover the seeds with soil. Future seedlings need to create greenhouse conditions by placing them in a lighted place. Shoots should develop within 7 days. You can use peat tablets. To plant small lobelia seeds, use a toothpick. When the first leaves appear, pick them.

Deadlines

To obtain seedling material, seeds are planted in February. Early planting requires illuminating the seedlings with a phytolamp, since natural lighting in winter is not enough. If the seeds are planted in early spring, flowering will occur in June.

Gardeners advise preparing seedlings from March. From germination to the beginning of pollen, count 3 months.

Picking

When the seedlings grow up to 3 cm high, their first leaves form, pick. Move seedlings 3-4 at a time to a new location so as not to damage the rhizome. Experienced summer residents use a dessert spoon for this. When caring for young plants, they should be moistened regularly, avoiding stagnation of moisture.

2 weeks before planting, seedlings should be hardened off, acclimating them to the street. Containers with seedlings are taken out into the open air for 2 hours, increasing the amount of stay every day. Before planting in open ground, they should be outside all day.

Cuttings and dividing the bush

For cuttings, an adult bush is required, which is dug up in the fall. Together with the earthen lump, it is transplanted into a spacious container for wintering to be kept indoors. When roots appear at the bottom of the young plant, it can be considered ready for planting in open ground. Cuttings 5 ​​cm tall are pinched.

You will need another bag or box. The plant should be watered before digging. To preserve the rhizomes, the bushes are dug up, capturing most of the root system. You should not shake off the soil so as not to injure them. Together with the soil lump, the lobelia is placed in a box or bag. Afterwards, they are taken into a room with a temperature of 0 degrees. Usually this is a balcony, loggia, cellar or storage room. Before sending the plant for storage, all shoots are cut off, leaving no more than 7 cm. The flower requires regular moistening.

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Planting lobelia seeds

Before planting lobelia, you need to take into account that the plant blooms 2–2.5 months after sowing the seeds. Therefore, in most cases it is grown in seedlings.

Soil and containers for planting

For lobelia seedlings to feel comfortable, they need loose and breathable soil with an acidity close to neutral (pH 6.5). To reduce worries to a minimum, you can use ready-made soil from gardening stores, but if you wish, you can prepare it yourself. A substrate consisting of coarse river sand, humus, peat and turf soil in a ratio of 1:2:2:2 is ideal for lobelia.

Lobelia loves loose and breathable soil with an acidity close to neutral

Recently, peat tablets have been widely used for cultivating plant seedlings. They eliminate the need to select containers for planting seeds and picking seedlings. In addition, seedlings can be planted in the ground along with the substrate. The main point in this event is to remember to remove the film. Wooden or plastic boxes, special containers, jars, and cut plastic bottles can be used as planting containers for lobelia. Regardless of the container chosen, it must be treated with potassium permanganate for disinfection purposes. If you sow the seeds in special cassettes, the issue with picking will be resolved by itself.

For sowing lobelia seeds, peat tablets are an excellent option, which can be planted directly in open ground.

In each planting container, holes must be made in the bottom to allow water to drain. Otherwise, the moisture will stagnate, which will lead to rotting of the roots.

Regardless of what soil mixture is used for planting, store-bought or home-made, it must be disinfected. To do this, the soil is spilled with a weak solution of fungicide, boiling water or heated by steam. After treatment, the soil should be allowed to cool and dry.

Video: methods of sowing lobelia

Sowing time

If you want to see a flowering plant by the end of spring or early summer, then sowing should be done early. Seeds for seedlings are usually planted from the end of February, which also depends on the variety. Ampelous lobelias develop more slowly, which is why they are planted early.

Sowing seeds

Lobelia has very small seeds, which makes the sowing process somewhat difficult. Although today you can find seed material on sale in the form of granules, which are much easier to work with.

Granules allow you to get a “nest” of several plants at once (3–5).

Let's look at the step-by-step procedure for sowing seeds for seedlings:

After filling the planting container with soil, it is slightly compacted and spilled with fungicides

Lobelia seeds are mixed with sand on a sheet of paper and the resulting mixture is carefully scattered over the surface of the ground.

After sowing, each container is labeled with the variety name and date.

The container with the crops is covered with glass or film, providing an optimal microclimate for seed germination

Immediately after sowing, it is recommended to spray the seeds with a growth stimulator. Upon completion of sowing, the containers are removed to a dark and warm place (+18–20˚С), and after germination, the plants are brought into the light. The first shoots should appear in 3–6 days.

Video: sowing lobelia seeds for seedlings

Seedling care

To obtain strong seedlings, seedlings must be provided with appropriate care. First of all, attention should be paid to watering. The soil is irrigated as it dries, avoiding excessive moisture. Otherwise, lobelia seedlings may get sick. If the soil moisture is low, the leaves of the plants will quickly curl and wither, which will lead to the death of the seedlings. For irrigation, it is advisable to use water at room temperature, which must first settle. Water the plants using a syringe, delivering water directly under the roots. It is also possible to moisten the soil by adding water to the pan.

To water lobelia seedlings, it is convenient to use a syringe, which supplies water directly under the root.

An important point for the normal development of seedlings is ventilation. The container with plantings must be opened slightly for half an hour every day. This will allow you to get rid of condensation on the glass or film, and the plants will get used to external conditions. In addition, attention should be paid to the temperature: after germination it is reduced to +13–17˚С. Since the seeds are sown quite early, the seedlings will need additional lighting, otherwise the sprouts will begin to stretch and bend. Fluorescent lamps can be used as a light source.

When the seedlings reach a height of 1 cm, the glass or film is gradually removed.

Many gardeners make the mistake of abruptly removing the film. In this case, the plants become stressed and may die within a day.

Picking

The process of picking lobelia seedlings is quite painstaking. For these purposes, gardeners use various tools: tweezers, toothpicks, etc., with the help of which tender shoots are separated from a solid mat. To make the procedure somewhat easier, it is recommended to use a spoon to cut the soil into small pieces and plant the sprouts in separate containers with loose soil.

To pick up lobelia seedlings, it is convenient to use a spoon, with which the soil is carefully cut into pieces

Before the transplantation process, the container with the sprouts is well moistened. Lobelia should be planted no earlier than a month after germination. A week after planting, it is recommended to feed the seedlings with a half dose of complex fertilizers intended for indoor flowers.

Topping

When the seedlings reach 3–4 cm in height after diving, it is recommended to pinch them. To simplify the procedure, the tops of all seedlings are cut off with scissors. There are two advantages to this event:

By pinching lobelia seedlings several times, you can even get a lush bush from one sprout.

Video: pinching and feeding lobelia seedlings

Planting lobelia in a flowerbed or in flowerpots

If you did everything correctly, the plants will quickly take root and you will soon be able to see hanging shoots of lobelia. If the container is wide, they can take root and form a carpet in it.

When it becomes warm outside, flowerpots with flowers can be taken out onto balconies, and seedlings can be planted in flower beds. After transplanting, do not forget to water the plants.

That's all the tricks for sowing and growing lobelia seedlings. Believe me, there is nothing complicated, just follow our step-by-step instructions. Wishing you beautiful flower beds in the new season!

Planting seedlings

You can start planting lobelia in a permanent place of growth only after the frosts have passed and the soil has warmed up well (late May). Depending on the variety, plants are transplanted into open ground or into suitable containers (containers, flower pots). In order for the root system of the flower to develop normally, the diameter of the container must be at least 20 cm.

To plant lobelia seedlings, it is necessary to use containers with a diameter of at least 20 cm so that the root system develops normally

The land for subsequent cultivation of lobelia must meet the same requirements as for seedlings. Too fertile soils should be avoided, as plants will actively grow green mass to the detriment of flowering. This also suggests that too frequent fertilizing is not necessary, especially with nitrogen content. After preparing the soil and selecting a container, lobelia seedlings are planted in the following order:

Video: planting flowers in pots

For better survival of plants, the pot must be placed in a place protected from the sun and wind for several days. After this, the container is hung in such a way that the plants receive as much sunlight as possible during the day. To make care more convenient, the pot should not be placed too high.

Lobelias in hanging containers should be placed at such a height that they are easy to care for

If the flower is planted in open ground, then a sunny area will be the best option, although lobelia will develop and bloom well in places where the sun shines for only a few hours a day. In this case, seedlings are planted depending on the goals pursued:

Seedlings are also planted in open ground using the transshipment method.

Lobelia after planting seedlings, although undemanding in care, still requires some effort for lush flowering. The basic rules of care are as follows:

Watering and fertilizing

Lobelia, like any other plant, needs watering, especially in hot weather. If you have hanging varieties growing in your garden, they need to be watered twice a week. If plants experience a lack of moisture for a long time, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and dry out in the sun. As a result, the flower may die completely. However, this does not mean that it should stand in water - watering should be moderate and timely. As for fertilizing, they are carried out once every 2 weeks, using complex fertilizers for flowering plants and preferably in liquid form.

One of the important conditions for the normal growth of lobelia is moist soil.

Trimming

During the entire growing season, lobelia is pruned several times. However, this procedure is most important after the first flowering, which ends in mid-summer. Trim the plant so that only 5 cm of stems remain above the ground. As a result, 2 weeks after this procedure, a second wave of flowering begins, which in most cases is more violent than the first. Plus, with the help of pruning, the aesthetic issue is resolved by removing faded stems.

Planting and caring for ampelous lobelia

Planting and caring for a flower must be carried out in compliance with certain rules.
Only in this case will the plant grow quickly, bloom, and retain its decorative appearance. Pots with lobelia should be hung in partial shade so that direct ultraviolet rays do not hit the greenery. The soil should be neutral, the optimal acidity level is 6 ph. It is not recommended to plant bushes in soil enriched with organic matter. This will cause the greenery to quickly gain mass, but the flowers will be inconspicuous and very small.

The shoots are planted at a distance of 30 cm from each other. The bushes quickly grow in width and will soon form decorative thickets.

The flower requires constant care:

• regular watering (the soil mixture should not be allowed to dry out);
• application of fertilizing (potassium mixtures without nitrogen content);
• shortening the shoots in mid-July (after 2 weeks they will grow again and begin to intensively form inflorescences);
• pruning yellowed and fading leaves;
• periodically loosening the soil with a wooden peg (this promotes better penetration of oxygen, the soil will not sour).

Ampelous lobelia is a strong plant with good immunity. If you do not make mistakes in growing, it will not be affected by various diseases. If you follow all the rules, you can observe flowering several times a season.

Beautiful examples

For example, a flower garden in the shape of a butterfly is rectangular in shape, and green grass is planted in the corners. The central part is occupied by the body, head and wings of the butterfly. The borders of the wings are planted with plants of the same variety, the rest of the space is filled with assorted flowers and miniature shrubs.

To make this composition even more interesting, give it volume. Make the butterfly's head taller by raising the level of the ground underneath it.

A hanging flower bridge - such a composition will not go unnoticed by everyone who sees it. The plan for creating this structure puts the manufacture and installation of a curved frame in the first place. The best solution is to build a stepped structure made of wood with sides at the borders. The bridge is filled with fertile soil, on which small flowers are planted. Making such a bridge is quite difficult, but the result will be unsurpassed.

Often in areas you can find rose gardens, which are created from luxurious roses of different shades. Such plants bloom best in a well-lit area, but keep in mind that it must be protected from drafts. The ideal option is when the rose garden is located on the south side of the garden, surrounded on three sides by deciduous trees, but they should not obscure the flower garden. It is appropriate to complement the rose garden with other colors, less bright, they will add completeness to the composition.

Creating a beautiful flower garden according to a pattern is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. The main rule is not to rush, take into account the characteristics of the soil and plants, as well as the climatic conditions in which the flora will grow luxuriantly and be full of bright colors.

Beautiful flower beds of perennials in landscape design are an excellent opportunity to create a paradise for relaxation in your own garden. After decorating the flower garden, do not forget to take care of the plants, otherwise their appearance will not be the best.

The main advantage of a flower garden is its general unlimited form. Using the means at hand, you can create various compositions, complement flower beds, and improve them. How to design your site is an individual decision, but on the Internet you can find many original ideas.

To see how beautifully you can decorate a flower garden, see the following video.

Peculiarities

The main goal of a novice gardener is to create a cozy corner of a picturesque garden. To implement this idea, various ornamental plants are used to decorate flower beds. Perennial plants that require less care will be an ideal assistant. They will provide a permanent decorative effect.

However, it is not recommended to start selecting plants immediately, since first you need to determine the technical characteristics of the flower bed or flower garden:

features of the local landscape. It is necessary to determine the individual design of the flower garden. Hills can be used to implement creative ideas, and small holes can be used as a natural flower bed. It is also possible to cement them. The latter is acceptable when creating a small pond with decorative water lilies;

• relief removal. For perfectionists who decide to start construction on level ground, it is recommended to level the site in order to avoid unpleasant consequences in the form of earthen slopes;
• size of the occupied territory. It is necessary to draw up a plan for the garden plot in advance and calculate the number of plants. For example, without taking into account the area of ​​the paths, you can get lost in the green wilds;
• the location of the future flower bed in relation to sunlight. For many shade-loving plants, constant direct sunlight is destructive. Flowers of this type require a slightly shaded planting site.

A spectacular and vibrant image is created through a combination of various colors and landscape objects. Optimal perception is possible by correctly calculating plant growth in relation to the viewpoint. A profitable demonstration involves planting small flowers near roads with a gradual increase in the shape and size of seedlings to remote areas of the territory.

It is recommended to pay more attention to the combination of perennial plants. With an inappropriate combination, you can inadvertently destroy the created image. To avoid unpleasant surprises, you must first calculate the flowering period, take into account the shape, color combination of petals and leaves, and plant growth.