Lobelia cardinalis

Germination

Sow indoors in late winter-late spring. Best to sow early in the year. Surface sow, finely, onto moist well-drained seed compost. Mixing seed with silver sand may help you to do this. Do not cover the seed as it needs light to germinate. Propagate. Ideal temp. 20°C. Germination takes 10-15 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to trays with 5cm spacing. Acclimatise and plant out in clumps rather than individual plants from May with 30cm spacing.

Growing

Prefers a moist, poorly-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Great for those tricky garden areas. Will tolerate wet, shade and cool.

Cultivation

This is a herbaceous perennial which will die back to ground level in autumn to re-emerge in spring. It is a short-lived perennial. The life span can be increased by dividing the plant every 2-3 years. To divide dig up the whole clump in spring and divide, ensuring each division has plenty of roots and replant.