Trailing Lobelia 'Sapphire'

'Sapphire' is one of the most popular trailing lobelias for UK window boxes and hanging baskets. It produces a dense cascade of small, intense, sapphire-blue flowers, each with a tiny, distinctive white eye. Unlike the upright bedding lobelias, 'Sapphire' has a vigorous, flowing habit, with stems that can hang down up to 30cm or more. The foliage is often tinted with a flush of bronze or purple, which complements the deep blue blooms perfectly. It is a tender annual (H1c) and is almost always purchased as plug plants or grown from very fine seed started indoors with heat as early as January. It requires consistent moisture and should never be allowed to dry out completely, especially in containers. In the UK's height of summer, it may benefit from a light trim and a liquid feed to encourage a fresh flush of flowers for the autumn. It thrives in full sun but will also perform very well in partial shade, where the blue colour often appears even more intense. An essential for summer displays.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, fertile soil or compost.

Hardiness: H1c — down to 5°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.