Description of Lobelia vedrariensis (Purple Lobelia)

Lobelia vedrariensis is a bog-loving lobelia grown for purple flowers and a long season in damp soil. It’s a good choice when you want a slimmer, neater plant than larger cardinal flower types.

Appearance

It forms clumps of narrow leaves and sends up spikes of purple blooms through summer. Height is often around 30 to 50cm, depending on how rich and wet the soil is.

Care Guide

It prefers steady moisture and it looks best when planted in groups rather than as a single stemmy plant.

• Sun: Sun to part shade.
• Soil: Moist, fertile soil with organic matter.
• Water: Keep consistently damp.
• Deadheading: Remove spent spikes for a longer run of flowers.
• Division: Split clumps in spring if they get crowded.

In very exposed sites, group planting helps stop stems leaning.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This fits well in bog gardens as a mid-height summer bloomer. Use it between lower primroses and taller irises, or near paths where you’ll notice the flowers up close.

It also works in pots sunk into the bog, which makes it easy to lift and divide and keeps it from being swamped by faster spreaders.

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