in bloom
now
through Oct
Bloom calendar
Crystal Palace
Edging lobelia; annual (tender perennial)
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Edging lobelia; annual (tender perennial)
- Height × spread: 4-6 in (10-15 cm) × 8-12 in (20-30 cm)
- Bloom window: late spring to fall in cool summers; slows in midsummer heat
- Color & flower form: Deep blue, small two‑lipped flowers; bronze‑tinged foliage
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in all zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Awards/registration: RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Much shorter and used as a bedding or container plant rather than a border clump.
- Blooms earlier in the season and can flower for months in cool conditions.
- Not winter hardy; used as an annual across North America.
- Prefers evenly moist, cool soils rather than the wet sites favored by Great Blue Lobelia.
Strengths
- Dense flowering on compact plants for crisp edging.
- Contrasting bronze foliage adds depth in plantings.
- Performs well in containers and window boxes.
Care in one minute
Site and light: sun to part shade; provide afternoon shade where summers are hot.
Soil and pH: fertile, well‑drained but evenly moist soil; slightly acidic to neutral.
Watering: keep consistently moist; do not let pots dry out.
Feeding: light, regular feeding during active growth.
Grooming: deadhead; shear lightly after heat waves to encourage new bloom.
Overwintering: discard or protect under glass in frost‑free conditions.
Watch‑outs
- Heat stalls bloom; shear lightly and keep watered for rebloom.
- Sensitive to drought; requires consistent moisture.
- Not frost hardy; protect from late spring frost.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
A long‑grown selection of Lobelia erinus notable for deep blue flowers and bronze foliage; recognized with the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
References
- Royal Horticultural Society – Lobelia erinus ‘Crystal Palace’
- University of Florida IFAS Extension – Lobelia erinus (FP351)
- ASPCA – Lobelia (toxicity to pets)
Similar Flowers
Enjoying our flower guides? Add YourFlowersGuide as a preferred source on Google. It helps more readers find us.
Add to Preferred Sources