Mrs. Clibran Lobelia is a compact, half-hardy annual that brings vibrant color to gardens from summer through fall in zones 10-11. This heirloom cultivar reaches just 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide, making it wonderfully suited to containers, edging, and small garden spaces. From seed to bloom takes 70-84 days, and the plant flowers reliably from June through November in the right conditions. Deer won't bother it, and it thrives in full sun with moderate water, asking little while delivering months of reliable blooms.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
8in H x 6in W
—
High
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At just 8 inches tall, Mrs. Clibran stays tidy and dense without sprawling, yet it flowers for six solid months when conditions suit it. The heirloom pedigree means this variety has proven itself over generations of gardeners, and its deer resistance makes it dependable in areas where other flowers fall prey. Starting seeds indoors is straightforward and rewarding, and once transplanted in spring, it rarely demands anything beyond basic care.
Mrs. Clibran Lobelia excels as a container plant, trailing slightly over the edges of pots and window boxes. Its neat, compact form also makes it ideal for edging flower beds and borders, where its flowers create a colorful outline from early summer through the first frosts. In cooler regions, gardeners grow it as an annual; in zones 10-11, it can persist longer with proper care.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in sterile seed-starting mix in late winter, 10-12 weeks before your last frost date. Maintain a temperature of 70°F during germination. Seeds need light to germinate, so surface sow them and press in lightly, then cover with just a light sprinkling of vermiculite to retain humidity. Expect sprouts in 14-21 days. Once seedlings emerge, grow them on in cool conditions until they're ready to transplant outdoors in spring.
Transplant outdoors in spring after the last frost date has passed. Space plants 8 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them outside to acclimate them to outdoor conditions.
Direct sowing is not recommended for Mrs. Clibran Lobelia.
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