Rosamond Lobelia is a compact annual flower that brings delicate rose and pink blooms to summer gardens across zones 4 through 9. This open-pollinated cultivar of Lobelia erinus grows into neat, mounding plants just 4 to 6 inches tall, studded with half-inch flowers in soft, exotic shades that feel almost too precious for a bedding plant. Reaching maturity in 70 to 79 days, it's a swift reward for gardeners who start seeds indoors in spring, offering weeks of continuous color through summer and into fall.
Full Sun
—
4-9
6in H x ?in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The blooms are Rosamond's true gift: delicate half-inch flower heads in rose and pink tones that create dazzling, jewel-like mounds across a compact plant. Seeds germinate quickly in warm soil (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and mature into tidy, bushy specimens perfect for edging beds, tucking into containers, or lining pathways where their refined color can be fully appreciated. The open-pollinated genetics mean you can save seeds year after year, building your own lineage of this exclusive variety.
Rosamond Lobelia shines as a bedding plant and container specimen, where its compact growth habit and profuse blooming habit can be showcased. Its neat mounding form makes it exceptional for edging garden beds, softening borders with waves of rose and pink, and its trailing tendency suits hanging baskets and indoor container gardening beautifully.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. Maintain soil temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for reliable germination. Lobelia seeds are tiny and benefit from light to germinate, so sprinkle them on the soil surface and press gently without covering completely. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge in 10 to 14 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed and soil has warmed. Harden off plants gradually over 7 to 10 days by exposing them to increasing sunlight and outdoor conditions. Space plants 6 inches apart in full sun locations. The compact growth habit means you can create dense plantings without crowding.
Direct sowing is not recommended for Rosamond Lobelia due to the tiny seeds and specific light and temperature requirements for germination.
Pinch back young seedlings once they develop their second set of true leaves to encourage bushier, more compact growth. Light deadheading of spent flowers will extend the blooming season, though Rosamond tends to self-clean well and rarely requires aggressive pruning. The naturally neat bush habit keeps the plant tidy without significant intervention.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.