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Lobelia 'Queen Victoria' planting partners

• Message 1. 

  Posted by thevodkarose (U13048111) on Thursday, 12th August 2010

  I've found a Lobelia 'Queen Victoria' reduced to £1 today so snapped it up. It hasn't even flowered yet, it's just floppy and not at shop standard perfection.
  
  I've never had this lobelia before, and I would like to use it in a large container with a few other perennial plants. I'd prefer the lobelia to be the "height" plant with it being red and striking in flower. I'd also like to use the combination to create a sucession of colour, rather than all flowering at once. Wildlife friendly plants are something I like, and I prefer to plant in threes (or multiples of three), so two more plants of different species in this case. I'd also like to include a few bulbs to extend the season of interest even further.
  
  With that rather exacting shopping list, what could people suggest? Many thanks in advance.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by BaraGwenith (U14257539) on Thursday, 12th August 2010

  This particular Lobelia is very wildlife friendly; slugs and snails will strip it completely overnight. Lovely plant though if it survives.

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• Message 3

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  Posted by thevodkarose (U13048111) on Thursday, 12th August 2010

  That's a large container complete with copper tape, then.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by Salino (U2550900) on Thursday, 12th August 2010

  I have to confirm BaraGwenith, a huge black slug demolished mine overnight recently. I only had the one small plant which was given to me, so I'm hoping it will reappear. I wish you success with yours, of course

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Salino (U2550900) on Thursday, 12th August 2010

  ..oh, just to answer your question too, as I notice you're growing it in a large pot, so hopefully more protection...
  
  I find fuschias wildlife friendly, [if not for water conservation], as my Blackbirds enjoy eating the fruits of the spent flowers.
  
  Pennisetum Orientale is a drought tolerant shorter grass with pinkish flowerheads over a long season. Might make a nice contrast. Quite hardy.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by poshHebeJeebie (U9319867) on Thursday, 12th August 2010

  I have this lobelia in full flower at the moment, and it's wonderful!
  
  It's being grown as a marginal plant in the pond, since it seems to like very wet feet(or so the various books on aquatic plants say). That may help you, since, if it's in a container, it may need copious watering.
  
  PHJ

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• Message 7

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  Posted by bookertoo (U3655866) on Wednesday, 18th August 2010

  I have 3 of them, each in her own individual pot, among tall grasses and phormiums, they bring a splash of colour to an area which could appear rather dull colour wise. The contrast between the upright stems and leaves and the rather blowsy look of the lobelias works very well. Mine have been in their pots for a few years, well 2 of them have, the third is new, and they have survived well, even last winter - though were protected by the phormiums etc. They do die back completely when dormant, that is some thing you need to think about when companion planting. Maybe small spring bulbs would be good while the foliage is dormant, it could be tricky to plant around with its rather solid leaf mass and the very bright flowers. White cyclamen might be interesting, the leaves being very pretty as well, they also disappear completely after flowering, something that flows down the pot might be nice, though not ivy, maybe a scrambling non climbing clematis?

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