RE: Lobelias

Thanks Dean.

I have just found L. cardinalis mentioned in The Well-Tempered Garden by
Christopher Lloyd, who says

'We tend to treat this as a tender perennial, but there are hardy
geographical races.   It grows, after all, in the stream beds of some of the
coldest areas of New England.   I find that the smooth purple-leaved strain
which I grow is absolutely hardy.'

And then, further on

'The lobelia [L. cardinalis] needs frequent splitting and replanting in
spring;  in some districts it has to be overwintered under glass.'

I wonder if L. cardinalis is, therefore, hardy in some gardens in the UK
because of the micro-climate that is or has been created in that particular
garden?

I will be experimenting this winter and will pass my results to the List.

Valerie


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-perennials@mallorn.com
[o*@mallorn.com]On Behalf Of Dean Sliger
Sent: 27 August 2000 13:16
To: perennials@mallorn.com
Subject: Re: Lobelias


Valerie --

Lobelia cardinalis is native throughout eastern North America, from
Minnesota to Florida, so whoever said or thinks it wouldn't be winter
hardy in Zone 8 Britain must have been growing it under adverse
conditions -- or layed a stepping stone on top of it, or something.  ;-)

The x Gerardi cultivars are even hardier, being the result of crossings
with the hardier L. syphilitica.  Both species, and their many cultivars,
grow happily in good garden soil.  The Lobelias do arise from the ground
later than other perennials which might sometimes cause a person to think
the plants didn't survive the winter.  The winter-dormant roots need to
be mulched or otherwise protected from cold drying winds, but I don't see
any particular reason to overwinter the plants in water.

Dean Sliger
Warren, Michigan, USA
Zone 6B



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