Edging Lobelia Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue Eyes'
ABOUT
The Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue Eyes' is a captivating ornamental plant that boasts a vibrant display of flowers. The main attraction of this variety is its blossoms, which are a deep blue color with a notable, contrasting white eye at the center, creating a striking appearance that can draw the eye. The flowers are small, delicate, and tubular in shape, typically with five petals that spread outward from the center, giving them a fan-like form. Beyond the flowers, the foliage of 'Riviera Blue Eyes' is also noteworthy. The leaves are often a rich green hue and usually maintain a small, narrow shape. They are lanceolate, meaning they are shaped like a lance head with a wider base tapering to a point at the tip. The texture of the leaves is somewhat soft with a slightly serrated edge that adds subtle texture to the plant's overall appearance. 'Riviera Blue Eyes' grows in a mounded habit, meaning the plant tends to form a rounded shape as it matures. The flowers and foliage spread out to create a full, lush look that can add depth and interest to garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets. This plant's stunning blue and white blossoms are often used to provide a pop of color in ornamental displays, and due to the intense hue of the flowers, it can also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to a garden. It is prized for its continuous blooming nature throughout the growing season, often from spring until the first frosts of fall, offering a long-lasting element of beauty in suitable climates.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Campanulaceae.
Synonyms
Edging Lobelia, Garden Lobelia, Trailing Lobelia, Annual Lobelia.
Common names
Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue Eyes'.
ToxicityTo humans
Lobelia, including the Lobelia erinus variety, contains several alkaloids such as lobeline, which can be toxic to humans if ingested in significant quantities. Symptoms of lobelia poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dizziness, tremors, and more serious effects, such as rapid heartbeat, extreme drowsiness, weakness, hypotension (low blood pressure), difficulty breathing, seizures, and potentially coma. It is essential to be cautious and seek medical attention if ingestion is suspected.
To pets
Lobelia is also toxic to pets, and symptoms of poisoning in animals can include excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and signs of distress. More severe reactions could potentially lead to a rapid heart rate, weakness, tremors, seizures, and collapse. If you suspect your pet has ingested lobelia, immediate veterinary attention is advised.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue Eyes' offers vibrant blue flowers with a distinct white eye, enhancing the visual beauty of gardens and landscapes.
- Compact Growth: With its compact and low-growing habit, this plant is ideal for borders, containers, and hanging baskets, creating a full look without excessive spreading.
- Long Blooming Season: It typically boasts a lengthy blooming period, providing color and interest from spring until the first frost in many regions.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems and aiding in the pollination of nearby plants.
- Easy to Grow: As a relatively easy plant to care for, it is suitable for gardeners of all skill levels, requiring minimal maintenance under the right conditions.
- Versatility: This variety of Lobelia is versatile in its use in landscaping, functioning well in both sun and part-shade garden areas.
- Companion Planting: It pairs well with other annuals and perennials, allowing for creative garden design and plant combinations.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate short periods of drought, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners mindful of water conservation.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Edging for walkways and garden paths: Riviera Blue Eyes, being compact and colorful, can be used to create visually appealing borders along walkways and paths in the garden.
- Living mulch: When planted closely, Riviera Blue Eyes can serve as a living mulch, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture.
- Garden art accents: This plant can be used in combination with garden sculptures or decorative stones to create focal points in garden art arrangements.
- Fairy gardens: With its small size and vibrant flowers, Riviera Blue Eyes is a charming addition to miniature fairy garden landscapes.
- Temporary ground cover for event decor: Its quick-growing nature makes it suitable for planting as a temporary, colorful ground cover for outdoor events or ceremonies.
- Pressed flower craft: The distinctive flowers of Riviera Blue Eyes can be pressed and used for crafting bookmarks, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- Photography prop: Garden photographers can use Riviera Blue Eyes as a photogenic subject or as a backdrop to enhance the visual appeal of their plant photographs.
- Color theming gardens: This plant can be used to create a color-themed area within a garden, especially in shades of blue and purple motifs.
- Pet-friendly garden spaces: Riviera Blue Eyes is non-toxic to dogs and cats, making it a suitable choice for pet-friendly garden areas.
- Seed harvesting for educational projects: Gardeners or teachers can use this plant to show the lifecycle of flowering plants by collecting and sowing its seeds with students.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lobelia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lobelia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Communication: Lobelia, in general, is associated with communication as its bright and vivid colors can represent the act of expressing oneself vividly and clearly.
- Distinction: The striking blue of 'Riviera Blue Eyes' Lobelia may symbolize uniqueness or standing out from the crowd and is often used to highlight special features in gardens.
- Malevolence: Historically, some species of lobelia were considered to symbolize malevolence due to their toxic properties when consumed in large quantities. However, this symbolism is less commonly associated with ornamental varieties like Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue Eyes'.
- Devotion: The intense blue color can also be emblematic of deep feelings of devotion, sometimes used in floral arrangements to demonstrate unwavering love or commitment.
WaterEdging lobelia requires consistent moisture, so it's important to water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. This may mean watering as often as every other day during hot, dry periods or less during cooler, rainy spells. As a rough guide, offer at least one to two gallons per week for an established plant in a moderate climate, adjusting as necessary for size and weather conditions. Be sure not to let the soil dry out completely, but also avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
LightEdging lobelia thrives best in conditions where it can receive full to partial sunlight. Ideally, locate it in a spot where it can bask in the sun for at least six hours a day. Morning sunlight is particularly beneficial as it is less intense, which can help prevent the plant from wilting in the afternoon heat.
TemperatureEdging lobelia prefers moderate temperatures and will perform best when daytime temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. While it can withstand temperatures as high as the low 80s, prolonged heat can stress the plant. It can survive minimum temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost can be damaging, so be sure to protect it or bring it indoors if colder temperatures are expected.
PruningPrune edging lobelia to encourage a more compact, bushy growth habit and to promote continuous blooming. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can be done routinely throughout the blooming season. A more thorough pruning can be done midseason if the plant begins to look leggy or sparse; this will refresh the plant and lead to a flush of new growth and blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for the Lobelia, commonly known as edging lobelia or trailing lobelia, should be well-draining with a slightly acid to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0. A mixture of peat, potting soil, and perlite or sand is ideal to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season will promote vibrant flowers and healthy growth.
RepottingEdging lobelia typically doesn't require frequent repotting as it is often grown as an annual. However, if you are growing it as a perennial or if the plant outgrows its container, repotting can be done in the spring every 1-2 years using fresh soil mix to replenish nutrients.
Humidity & MistingEdging lobelia thrives best in average humidity conditions. It does not require excessively high humidity levels; maintaining indoor humidity similar to the average household environment is generally sufficient for this plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Choose a sunny spot, water regularly, and protect from high heat.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue Eyes', commonly known as edging lobelia or trailing lobelia, begins with seed germination, which occurs in warm, moist soil conditions, usually in spring. After germination, the seedlings develop into young plants with characteristic small, green leaves. As the plants mature, they produce vibrant blue flowers with a distinctive white 'eye' in the center, usually blooming in late spring through summer. The flowering stage can be prolonged with regular deadheading to encourage more blooms. Once the blooming period is over and conditions are less favorable, the plant sets seed, ensuring the continuation of the species. In colder climates, the lobelia is often treated as an annual, completing its life cycle within one growing season, but in milder climates, it may survive as a perennial, regrowing for multiple seasons.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
For Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue Eyes', often known as edging lobelia or garden lobelia, the most popular method of propagation is through seed. Seed propagation usually occurs in late winter or early spring, using a seed starting mix. Sow the tiny seeds on the surface of the mix and lightly press them in, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and maintain a temperature of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius). Seeds should germinate within 14 to 21 days. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they're large enough to handle, and then move them outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Seedlings must be acclimatized to outdoor conditions before being planted in their final location to prevent shock.
