Lobelia laxiflora

The Lobelia laxiflora, also known as Loose-flowered Lobelia, is a large perennial plant with an exuberant temperament and exotic charm, which actually hides a great ease of cultivation in ordinary but well-drained, moist to dry soil. It forms a wide bushy clump with a woody base, and bears elongated, tubular flowers from spring to autumn, revealing a yellow throat. Its thin and elongated leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for its endless flowering, particularly in mild climates. It is also a wonderful conservatory plant, to be grown in a large pot that can be stored away from heavy frosts in cool climates.

Lobelia laxiflora is a botanical species belonging to the campanulaceae family. It is native to Chile, Mexico, and Guatemala, even reaching as far north as southern Arizona. Its natural habitat is the Sierra Madre, a mountain range that connects all these countries. It is a perennial with a woody base, or an undershrub with a very branched, spreading, semi-upright habit, reaching 80 cm (32in) in height and 90 cm (35in) to 1 m (3ft) 10 in width. Its growth rate is moderate. Its foliage, evergreen, medium green, particularly long, narrow, and tapered, is carried by reddish stems. The plant flowers from spring to autumn; from April depending on the climate and almost all year round in mild climates. The axillary flowers, long and narrow, are tubular and bilabiate; the lower lip is wide and ends in sawtooth-shaped teeth. They are bright and colourful, ranging from red to carmine or fuchsia, with a yellow or amber throat. It requires no particular maintenance, except for pruning if necessary at the end of the season.

Not demanding in terms of soil type and hardy down to -8°C (17.6°F), this generous and charming perennial is perfect for gardens with a mild or Mediterranean climate. In the back of borders, it can be accompanied, for example, by daylilies, Leucantha salvias, guaranitica or involucrata bethelii, shrubby lavateras, or the grey and fragrant foliage of tall wormwoods. Placed in front of a small winged spindle tree (Euonymus alatus compactus), a smokebush (Cotinus), or a plumleaf spirea, its very vibrant flowers will blend with their magnificent autumn colours. In regions with mild winters, it can form beautiful, flower-filled hedges alongside rosemary, Caryopteris, Perowskia, and Teucrium fruticans. Elsewhere, it can be perfectly installed on the terrace, in a large pot, to be stored away from heavy frosts in winter.