Lobelia erinus 'Riviera Blue'
‘Riviera Blue’ is part of an early‑flowering, compact series bred for spring color. Plants form tidy mounds about 5 inches tall and bloom heavily in cool weather. It performs well in beds, containers, and color bowls. It prefers morning sun and afternoon shade in warm regions. It needs consistent moisture, especially in pots. It is grown as an annual across North America.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Riviera Series; annual (compact mounding)
- Height × spread: ~5 in (13 cm) × ~8 in (20 cm)
- Bloom window: early spring to early summer; reblooms as temperatures cool
- Color & flower form: Blue, small two‑lipped flowers; many forms have a pale eye
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in all zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: PanAmerican Seed; year unknown; USA
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Far shorter and earlier than Great Blue Lobelia.
- Selected for uniform mounded habit rather than tall spikes.
- Bred for earlier flowering in spring compared with traditional bedding strains.
- Used as cool‑season color, not as a pond‑edge perennial.
Strengths
- Extra‑early flowering commonly reported for the Riviera Series.
- Neat, mounded habit for mass planting and containers.
- Cool‑weather performance with quick turnaround from transplant.
Care in one minute
- Site and light: sun to part shade; afternoon shade where summers are hot.
- Soil and pH: fertile, well‑drained but evenly moist soil; pH 5.5 to 6.5.
- Watering: keep evenly moist; avoid water stress for steady bloom.
- Feeding: light, regular feeding during active growth.
- Grooming: deadhead lightly; shear after heat to refresh plants.
- Overwintering: treat as an annual; discard after frost.
Watch‑outs
- Bloom pauses in summer heat; provide afternoon shade and water.
- Sensitive to drying out in containers.
- Frost tender; plant after danger of frost.
Best uses (tags)
containers, edging, cool‑season color, mass planting
Provenance note
An early‑type selection within the Riviera Series from PanAmerican Seed, bred for compact mounded plants and fast spring color.
References
- PanAmerican Seed – Riviera series plant information (Blue Eyes/Midnight Blue)
- Ball Seed – Riviera Sky Blue (series culture and specs)
- University of Florida IFAS Extension – Lobelia erinus (FP351)
- NC State Extension – Lobelia erinus
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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