Masterpiece

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Campanulaceae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Lobelia

Species

erinus

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant with a globular and compact habit, ideal for creating dense cushion-like covers with luxuriant flowering that lasts for about three seasons, from spring to early-mid autumn, with a profusion of brightly coloured flowers that make the plant a focal point in mixed compositions with other ornamentals. It is very versatile and popular both for adorning flower beds and for embellishing terraces or balconies in pots, tubs and planters. Prefers cool summer temperatures and well-draining soil with preferably half-shaded exposures.

Species Video

https://youtu.be/RI-D3YgbHAk

Varietal description

It is the first hybrid variety of lobelia from seed, therefore with excellent performance for heat tolerance, good earliness of flowering with large bi-coloured flowers. Suitable for pot production due to its vigour, globular crown shape and speed of growth. In landscape use it has been praised by fleuselect for its outstanding performance. It is on sale in mid-spring and can colour balconies early as it is not afraid of cold returns. In arrangements with other plants it gives an unrivalled blue point and can be grown both in pots and in beds together with other not very vigorous annual flowering plants such as marigold, alyssum, impatiens walleriana and red splendens sage.

curiosity and special features

The generic term, Lobelia, was given by the Swedish botanist Carl Linneaus in the 18th century in honour of Matthias de L'Obel, botanist and physician to King James I of England in the 1500s, who is also remembered for having described the difference between monocotyledons and dicotyledons.

Origin and Diffusion

Native to the Cape Province of South Africa, where it grows wild as a perennial, it was introduced to Holland in 1690, to England in 1759 and to the United States in 1867 before spreading throughout Europe during the 19th century, where it was mainly appreciated as an ornamental annual flowerbed or border plant and later in the 20th century also as a herbaceous species for flowerpots and tubs.

Flower size

Variety with a small flower that lends elegance and sinuosity to the scenic flowering.

Leaf

Leaf shows a lanceolate, linear lamina.

Flowering period

It lasts from early spring to mid-autumn for a duration of 120 to 150 days, this ample time interval allows us to enjoy its blooms for almost three seasons, adding a touch of colour to gardens and terraces for a long time.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence raceme or cluster.

Leaf color

Solid-coloured Leaf, colour-balanced with the colour of the Flower.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.4 m, making it suitable as a first or second-stage plant for mixed flower bed compositions.

Lifespan

Cultivated as an annual ornamental plant.

Suggested planting locations

It is a very attractive, decorative and versatile solution, suitable for different contexts such as flowerbeds , balconies, outdoor tubs, borders In such spaces, its flowering prevails significantly and, at the same time, creates a hospitable environment for butterflies and other pollinating insects, helping to recreate a situation of biodiversity that is increasingly in demand and welcome in our outdoor areas.

Stem/stem

The stem is herbaceous and the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is simple in form, small in size, with an irregular corolla and two-coloured petals. It is arranged in small to medium-sized raceme or cluster inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 150 days. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

It shows medium to vigorous growth, ideal for use in homogenous groups or in composition with other ornamentals to create a very decorative flower cushion in a flower bed or border.

Plant habit

Variety with a globular and dense habit.

branching

The branching tendency is medium, with a balanced relationship between foliage and flowers that creates a decorative and elegant end result.

pH

The ideal soil pH for lobelia is acidic or sub-acidic, between 5.2 and 5.8.

soil preparation

Before spring transplanting into the garden, the soil must be prepared to accommodate the new plants and ensure their proper development. To this end, carry out light digging, removing any weeds and bulky stones, proceed by burying chemical or organic slow-release fertiliser and breaking up the coarsest clods. To improve the drainage of excess water, create a raised flower bed by slight ballasting, then add professional quality substrate on the surface to an average height of 5/10 cm and carefully level it.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

sun exposure

It expresses best growth and flowering results when exposed in half shade, bright shade, full sun but above 300 m above sea level; it is recommended to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 12 and 20 °C; it prefers cool summer climates.

Use

Appreciated for its prolonged flowering with brilliant colour tones in:

Outdoor ornamental Landscaping

Hardiness

A variety of medium hardiness, following a few indications regarding exposure and irrigation will result in optimal growth and flowering.

Soil/medium

For gardens and flowerbeds, it offers the best growth results in a light, medium soil; for use in pots or planters, a substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite is recommended.

Maintenance

It is fairly easy in cultivation and maintenance, and the level of management effort required is low.

cultivation tips

In order to ensure a suitable development of the root system and, consequently, of the aerial apparatus with a subsequent abundant spring-summer flowering, here are some useful cultivation guidelines
Avoid direct sunlight in the hottest hours Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Require abundant but no stagnant watering

Composition

Highly recommended in compositions with other ornamental species such as Alyssum, Impatiens walleriana, Lobularia x hybrida, Lobularia maritima, Salvia splendens,Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula.

planting

For use in flowerbeds, an average density of 22 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure proper development of each specimen, thus obtaining well-proportioned and formally balanced compositions. It is also advisable to position the plant on a raised bed with the collar off the surface, avoiding excessive compression and sinking of the lump and watering immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Reproduction/Propagation

It can be multiplied by seed, taking care to keep the soil moist but free of waterlogging to promote sprouting.

potting

Use an ornamental plant fertiliser with programmed release to be distributed according to the dosage and frequency not excessive, as indicated by the label.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively water from the aqueduct, either manually or through an irrigation system. When transplanting, assist the seedling as it is more susceptible to stress in the new site, keeping it at a constant humidity but avoiding excessive watering which can cause root rot and dieback. Afterwards allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between watering and the next, always checking the moisture level before intervening, preventing both damaging water stagnation and dryness.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilization

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out basic fertilisation by burying organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser.

Fertilisers suitable for ornamental flowering plants are generally suitable to ensure suitable development and abundant flowering throughout the spring-summer season; after proper establishment in the new planting site, apply fertiliser to the soil or substrate by distributing it in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the doses and frequencies.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Pet friendly

Potentially toxic if ingested in certain quantities.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Human toxicity

Toxic.

advise 1

Lobelia Masterpiece, like all lobelias, is better adapted to cool than to heat, although it is the most heat tolerant of the seed varieties. Therefore, in summer use it in full sun only from 200 metres above sea level in order to have copious flowering even in summer. In cooler periods, the blue colour of the flowers intensifies, becoming very bright, but be careful not to moderate or overdo watering as root asphyxia will occur more easily. In lowland flowerbeds, excellent results are only obtained with exposure to the morning sun until 1pm at the latest. In the afternoon they should be in the shade or protected by taller neighbouring plants. Never let the soil dry out too much to avoid dull green leaves or worse, basal dryness.