Edging Lobelia Lobelia erinus Purple Star = 'Wespurstar' (PBR)
![trailing lobelia [Purple Star]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b61c334a82.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
Lobelia erinus Purple Star, commonly known as edging lobelia, is a captivating flowering plant that boasts a wealth of eye-catching features. Notably celebrated for its bountiful blooms, this variety stands out with its star-shaped flowers. The petals display a rich and vibrant purple color, often with a striking contrast of white at the base, resembling a celestial pattern that may remind one of a clear night sky speckled with twinkling stars. These stunning flowers are delicately small, typically forming clusters that create a lush and full appearance. Each blossom is complemented by slender, green leaves that add a touch of verdancy to the plant's overall color palette, providing a fresh backdrop for the vivid floral display. The foliage of the edging lobelia is known to be quite dense, which contributes to its use as a popular choice for garden borders and as a decorative element in container plantings. Its dense leafy habit presents a lush and soft texture, which can often appear to spill over the edges of containers, adding a cascading effect that enhances its ornamental appeal. The edging lobelia's overall charm is amplified through its continuous flowering habit, which keeps the plant covered in blossoms for an extended period. This long-lasting display of color and form makes the edging lobelia a favorite among gardeners who wish to maintain a vibrant and cheerful garden space. The Purple Star variety, with its distinctive purple and white flowers, offers a unique visual delight, contributing to its popularity and desirability for those seeking to add a splash of color and starry allure to their floral arrangements and garden landscapes.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Edging Lobelia, Garden Lobelia, Trailing Lobelia, Annual Lobelia.
Common names
Lobelia erinus 'Wespurstar'
ToxicityTo humans
Lobelia, also known as edging lobelia, generally has a low toxicity level to humans, but it can be mildly toxic if ingested in significant amounts. If someone consumes a part of this plant, they might experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and possible difficulty breathing due to its alkaloid content. These alkaloids can act as a respiratory stimulant in small doses, but in larger doses, they may depress the central nervous system. The severity of symptoms typically depends on the quantity ingested. In most cases, consuming Lobelia erinus is unlikely to cause more than mild gastrointestinal upset, but it's still advised to avoid ingesting any part of the plant.
To pets
Lobelia, or edging lobelia, can have a similar level of toxicity to pets as to humans, which generally ranges from low to mild. If a pet were to ingest a significant quantity of Lobelia erinus, they could exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, or even difficulty breathing. While small amounts may not cause serious harm, consuming larger quantities can lead to more severe symptoms due to the presence of potentially toxic alkaloids. Pet owners should prevent their animals from ingesting any parts of the plant and seek veterinary care if any adverse symptoms are observed after ingestion.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
6 inches (15 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Lobelia erinus Purple Star adds vibrant color with its deep purple flowers, enhancing garden beauty.
- Border Plant: Its compact size makes it ideal for borders, edging paths, and defining garden spaces.
- Container Gardening: Well-suited for pots and hanging baskets due to its trailing growth habit.
- Easy Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a great choice for novice gardeners.
- Attracts Pollinators: Draws butterflies and other beneficial insects, promoting pollination in the garden.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers a long blooming season, from spring to fall, providing continuous visual interest.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic Inspiration: Lobelia erinus Purple Star's vibrant purple flowers can be an inspiration for artists and can be used as a subject in paintings, drawings, or as part of botanical illustrations.
- Educational Tools: Educators can use the plant to teach students about plant biology, the lifecycle of a flowering plant, and the importance of pollinators in the ecosystem.
- Craft Projects: Dried blossoms of Lobelia can be used in creating natural jewelry, such as resin pendants that incorporate the flowers, or in making pressed flower bookmarks.
- Photography: With its striking appearance, Lobelia is a popular subject for photographers looking to capture the beauty of plants in gardens and natural settings.
- Garden Design: Lobelia can be used as a "spiller" in container gardening, adding texture and cascading color to mixed plantings.
- Living Gifts: Instead of cut flowers, people may gift Lobelia erinus in pot as a longer-lasting, living bouquet to friends or family.
- Culinary Garnish: While not common, the flowers can sometimes be used as an edible garnish in salads or to decorate desserts, providing a splash of color (it is essential to confirm that no pesticides were used and that the plant is safe for consumption).
- Theme Gardens: Lobelia can be included in a purple-themed garden, often designed to create a calming and serene space with a monochromatic color scheme.
- Homemade Potpourri: The flowers of Lobelia, when dried, can be added to potpourri mixes to contribute color and texture.
- Seed Saving: Gardeners can collect seeds from Lobelia erinus Purple Star to teach seed saving techniques and to promote plant biodiversity in personal gardens.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lobelia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lobelia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Attraction and Distinction: The striking purple color of the Lobelia often symbolizes uniqueness and captivating beauty, suggesting a sense of attraction and distinction.
- Ardent Affection: The vibrant hues of this plant can also represent an intense and passionate affection, similar to the fervency associated with the color purple.
- Healing and Recovery: Historically, lobelias have been used for medicinal purposes, which lends them the symbolism of healing and the power to recover.
- Devotion and Commitment: The Lobelia's long flowering period suggests themes of endurance and the sustaining nature of devotion or commitment.
WaterThe edging lobelia, which includes the Lobelia erinus Purple Star, should be consistently kept moist but not waterlogged. It is best to water them deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which may mean watering once every few days during hotter seasons. The exact frequency will vary based on climate conditions and soil drainage, but as a general rule, adding about one to two gallons per week for an average-sized plant in moderate climates will suffice. Adjust the amount during extreme heat or drought conditions, ensuring the plant receives enough moisture to maintain its vibrant blooms without causing root rot from excess water.
LightEdging lobelia, like the Lobelia erinus Purple Star, thrives in full sun to partial shade. They perform best with morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, to protect them from intense heat. An eastern-facing garden that receives morning light or a spot that gets filtered sunlight throughout the day would be ideal for these delicate flowers.
TemperatureEdging lobelia plants, such as the Lobelia erinus Purple Star, prefer cooler temperatures and thrive in a range between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but for growth and flowering, keeping them in their preferred temperature range is ideal. They may not survive in areas where temperatures consistently exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit without adequate shade and moisture.
PruningEdging lobelia, such as Lobelia erinus Purple Star, benefits from regular deadheading to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. Prune spent flowers and any yellow or damaged foliage to maintain the plant's appearance and vigor. The best time for pruning is late spring or summer, after the first flush of flowers, to refresh the plant and stimulate new blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Lobelia, commonly known as edging lobelia or trailing lobelia, ideally consists of a well-draining, fertile blend with added organic matter like peat or compost. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingEdging lobelia should be repotted every year or when it outgrows its current pot, which may vary depending on its growth rate and the pot size.
Humidity & MistingEdging lobelia thrives in average humidity levels, but can tolerate higher humidity as well, avoiding environments that are too arid or dry.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with consistent moisture.
Outdoor
Full to partial sun, sheltered from strong winds, moist soil.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA.
Life cycleLobelia erinus 'Purple Star', commonly known as the trailing lobelia or edging lobelia, starts its life when seeds are sown in warm soil or pre-started indoors. The seeds germinate, typically within 1-3 weeks, sprouting into small seedlings that require ample light and water to establish firm roots. After transplanting outdoors following the last frost, the young plants enter a vegetative growth phase, developing a bushy habit with green foliage. Flowering begins in late spring to early summer, showcasing its vibrant purple flowers with a star pattern, which attract insects for pollination. This stage can last until the first frost if the plant is well-maintained and deadheaded regularly. As temperatures drop, Lobelia erinus 'Purple Star' completes its annual cycle, with seeds forming and eventually dropping to the soil to initiate a new life cycle or the plant dying back if the conditions become too harsh.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Lobelia erinus, commonly known as edging lobelia or garden lobelia, is by seed. Gardeners usually start lobelia seeds indoors about 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date. To propagate, the tiny seeds are sprinkled onto the surface of a well-drained seed starting mix and lightly pressed in, but not covered, as they need light to germinate. The container is kept at a temperature of about 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 24 degrees Celsius), and the medium is maintained moist but not soaked. Germination typically takes 2 to 3 weeks. Seedlings should be thinned or transplanted to individual pots once they are large enough to handle and then gradually hardened off before planting outside after all danger of frost has passed.
