LOBELIA - Queen Victoria
 
Tall spikes of deep maroon foliage topped by glowing scarlet blooms bring a welcome splash of late summer colour, when many flowers have already faded.
 
This exotic looking, perennial is ideal for filling gaps in damp borders, and looks spectacular planted beside ponds and streams. It also makes a lovely cut flower too. 
 
Cut back old lobelia foliage in autumn and apply a dry mulch of bark chips or straw to protect the crown of the plant during winter. Lobelia cardinalis is a short lived perennial - divide it every 2 years in spring to maintain its vigour. Caution: irritant to skin and eyes.