Skip to content
lobelia queen victoria red leaved lobelia marginal pond plants mp068
lobelia queen victoria red leaved lobelia marginal pond plants mp068
lobelia queen victoria red leaved lobelia marginal pond plants mp068
lobelia queen victoria red leaved lobelia marginal pond plants mp068
lobelia queen victoria red leaved lobelia marginal pond plants mp068
lobelia queen victoria red leaved lobelia marginal pond plants mp068

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'

Bog Plant
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Availability:
Out of stock
Sold out
£0.00 - £0.00
£0.00
£2.60
£2.60 - £55.58
£2.60
Package Quantity: 1
Size: 7cm Bareroot
Size Information

You can choose plants in various pot sizes. Non-potted plants arrive bare root for you to pot in the specified pot size.

Seasonal Information

Depending on the time of year, pond plants may be supplied fully-leaved, with flowers, or with foliage trimmed back.

Delivery Information

This plant is grown in the UK and sent directly from our tried, tested and trusted plant partner. Delivery price calculated at checkout.

Description of Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' is grown for two things: dark beetroot-coloured leaves and bright scarlet flowers. It’s often called cardinal flower, and it’s one of the best late-summer colour hits you can add to a bog garden.

Appearance

Leaves are deep red to purple-red and sit on upright stems. Flower spikes rise above the foliage and carry two-lipped scarlet blooms. It can reach around 80 to 90cm tall in flower.

It’s also a plant that looks good from close up. The leaf colour holds well through summer, so it still earns space even before the flowers start.

Care Guide

Moisture is the main rule. If the root zone dries, it sulks.

  • Sun: Sun to part shade. In hot spots, a bit of shade helps keep the soil cool.
  • Soil: Deep, fertile compost that stays damp. Add organic matter if your bog mix is light.
  • Water: Keep it wet through summer. It can sit with shallow water around the pot, but don’t drown the crown.
  • Feeding: A spring feed helps build strong stems and better flower spikes.
  • Cut back: Trim stems after flowering or leave until late winter for structure.

It can be short-lived in some gardens. A simple fix is to let it seed lightly or divide a healthy clump when new growth starts in spring.

Suitability for Bog Garden

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' is ideal for the middle or back of a bog garden where it can stand tall behind lower plants. It also works right on the pond edge if the soil stays saturated.

It pairs well with green foliage, which makes the red leaves look cleaner. Try it next to rushes, sweet flag, or royal fern. If you want a strong block of colour, plant three together and keep the soil rich.

In a small bog, grow it in a pot sunk into the substrate so you can lift it to divide and you can protect the crown from winter wet if you ever need to.

FAQs

What are marginal pond plants?

Marginal pond plants grow around the shallow edges of ponds, with their roots and crowns in or close to the water while their leaves and flowers grow above the surface. They are ideal for planting on pond shelves and help soften the transition between the pond and surrounding garden.

How deep should marginal pond plants be planted?

The correct planting depth varies between species. Some marginals prefer their crowns only just below the water surface, while others tolerate deeper water. Always check the recommended planting depth for the individual plant rather than placing all marginal plants at the same depth.

Can marginal pond plants grow in a wildlife pond?

Yes. Marginal plants are particularly valuable in wildlife ponds because their foliage provides cover around the pond edge and their stems can give emerging aquatic insects a route out of the water. Flowering species can also provide food for bees, hoverflies and other pollinators.

Do marginal pond plants need aquatic baskets?

Marginal plants are commonly grown in aquatic baskets, especially in lined ponds. Baskets make plants easier to position, lift and divide and can help contain vigorous roots. They should normally be filled with suitable aquatic compost or heavy loam rather than ordinary multipurpose compost.

When should I cut back marginal pond plants?

Dead or dying foliage can be removed as plants die back, particularly in autumn, to reduce the amount of decaying material entering the pond. Vigorous marginal plants can also be thinned or divided when they become overcrowded.

What are the best pond plants for a wildlife pond?

The best wildlife pond plants provide a mixture of underwater cover, surface shade, flowering habitat and places for aquatic insects to emerge. A balanced pond can include oxygenating plants, marginal plants and floating-leaved plants such as water lilies. Native species are particularly useful for supporting UK pond wildlife.

Rated Excellent