Lobelia erinus Crystal Palace Seeds

The Lobelia erinus Crystal Palace, or Erine Lobelia, is a small compact annual herbaceous plant, essential for summer hanging baskets and pots. Its numerous flowers, with a very deep blue-violet color, resemble small butterflies and bloom continuously from June to September. They stand out against its olive-green foliage with a touch of bronze. Its habit, in the form of plump cushions, allows it to add volume to compositions.

Lobelia erinus is a must-have for container gardening. Its numerous thin and branching stems form a ball that fills hanging baskets all summer and fits in between taller summer plants. Its small alternate, obovate, and slightly crenate leaves create a background for the multitude of flowers that bloom all summer. Approximately 1 cm (0.4 in) long, the flowers are tubular at the base and then flare into three downward petals and two smaller upward ones, resembling insect antennae. They are regularly visited by pollinators.

Lobelia also finds its place as a standalone plant in pots, brightening up every corner of courtyards and terraces. You can even plant it at the edge of a flower bed, especially if you have a small garden, preferably in a sunny (not scorching) spot but also in partial shade. However, make sure not to let it dry out as it wouldn't appreciate it. It prefers moist but not waterlogged soil. Additionally, fertilizing it will give it even more vigor, and if your climate is suitable, it will easily flower until October.

The Crystal Palace variety has a dense and deep color. It can accentuate the pastel shades of its companion plants, such as Petunias, Diacias, and Nemesias. But it can also contrast dynamically with Bidens, Marigolds, or red Begonias. Don't hesitate to sow it in large quantities; you will always find a place for it.

Attention, seeds reserved for highly experienced gardeners who are used to sowing very fine seeds. These seeds are as fine as dust, barely visible to the naked eye.