Lobelia erinus in Containers
Final Trials Report
2011
Trials Office The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB
RHS Trial of Lobelia erinus
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Introduction to Lobelia erinus Lobelia erinus is a low growing, bushy or trailing perennial which is most often grown as an annual in Britain. It originates from southern Africa and is grown for its long flowering period which stretches from spring into late summer. The material submitted in the trial has been breed with a range of other species. They are traditionally used in hanging baskets and as edging to summer bedding schemes and are useful in creating decorative planting combinations. The trials material produced various habits which varied from loosely cascading to densely upright and the panel found that the looser cultivars were perhaps more useful if a lobelia was wanted to mingle with other plants. Flowers and leaves are petite and can be blue, red, violet, white or purple. Lobelia erinus should be treated as half hardy annuals and prefer moist, but well drained potting mixture and situated in a sunny or semi-shaded position.
Objectives
The objectives of the trial were:
To judge for garden worthiness To assess clonal cultivars and compare with seed raised
Judging The Floral Trials Assessment Panel viewed the trial on the following dates in 2011; 31st May, 14th & 28th June, 12th & 27th July, 9th & 23rd August and 20th September.
The Panel used the following criteria to make their assessment;
Flower 60% (floral form and markings 15%, floriferousness and continuity 45%): Habit (including foliage) 40%
Entries There were 54 entries in the trial, submitted by breeders, growers and seedsmen in the UK, Europe and Israel. Plants were submitted as plugs, 14 per entry which were planted into baskets and pots, 7 plugs in each. Seven entries were late submissions and so were judged a month behind others.
Cultivation The plugs that had arrived by this time were planted into hanging baskets and pots on 14th March 2011. Seven plugs in each container. The potting mixture used was Peat free Supreme compost: A mix of Bark, Coir Loam and Base dressing; supplied by Petersfield Growing Mediums. This had a slow release fertiliser added to it at a rate of 2g per litre of compost. The RHS only use peat free compost. As other entries arrived and reached a similar size, they were potted up in the same way. These containers were stored in a cool polytunnel over the very warm April that occurred in 2011. This was to try and reduce excessive growth and flower production.
The posts and baskets were taken out to the trials field on 16th May. Baskets were hung on metal brackets fastened to wooden posts with the matching pot in front. Irrigation lines were connected to each container. Each container was watered 3 times a day; baskets for 10 minutes each time and 30 minutes for the pots. The third watering of the day contained a liquid feed from the 20th June, with a NPK ratio of 1:1:1 (equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium).
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Plants were not pruned or deadheaded during the trial. The final seven entries to the trial arrived late and although treated the same remained about a month behind in growth and flowering times.
Pest and Disease No problems were encountered.
Other Findings The hot, dry spring did not help the establishment of the trial as some entries did suffer from symptoms of drought and a lack of nutrients. The panel members queried the use of peat free compost as being a factor, but some members had previous experience growing Lobelia in peat free compost where plants had not performed as well as in this trial. It was decided that testing composts was not sensible due to regional differences in compost make up even within the same brand. In this trial all plants were grown in the same compost from the same batch and so it was decided that it was differences in the ability of the plants to cope with conditions that was the focal point of the trial, not the growing media.
As the objective of the trial was to compare clonal varieties with seed raised, it was found that the clonal varieties were not only more true to type, but generally gave a better performance throughout the trial. (i.e. not all clonal cultivars were better than ‘Sapphire). The seed raised plants were variable; some varieties described a certain colour came up as two colours, plants were not always as robust or vigorous as the clonal entries. Propagation from cuttings proved to enable a wider range of colours and flower markings to be grown and be consistent.
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Plants Receiving AGMs during Trial
The following are the plants thought to fulfil the Award of Garden Merit criteria during the trial and to be worthy of receiving the award. The criteria which a plant needs to fulfil in order to receive the award are:
excellent for ordinary garden use available reasonably resistant to pests and diseases of good constitution essentially stable in form and colour reasonably easy to grow
Hardiness ratings are as follows: H3 – hardy outside in some regions; needs frost-free protection in winter H4 – hardy throughout the British Isles
Plants Awarded Award of GM
Lobelia erinus (Techno Heat Series) Techno Heat Trailing Light Blue Improved = ‘Lobstrahob’ PBR [Trial No. 12] Votes 6:2
Flowers April to September Height 30cm; Spread Botanic data to be updated
“ Pretty with white eye, graceful habit, pleasing form. Delicate.”
Sender: Syngenta Seeds Ltd
Lobelia erinus (Waterfall Series) Waterfall Blue = ‘Balobwablu’ [Trial No. 29] Votes 11:2
Leaves: Linear Length 4cm; width 4-5 cm Stem 20 – 30cm Raceme length 10-20cm; Corolla width 2cm Upper petal Shape: Cuspidate - 8 mm; Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue - 96 A/B Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.5mm above throat Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue - 96 A/B
“Upright habit. Striking, rich colour. Good since the beginning.” Sender: Ball Colegrave
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Lobelia erinus (Star Series) Purple Star = ‘Wespurstar’ PBR [Trial No. 42] Votes 9:3
Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed length 5cm; width 1.5 mm; Colour Dark Olive Green N137A Stem 23 – 27cm Raceme length 19cm; Corolla width 2cm Upper petal Shape: Cuspidate – 8 mm; Colour: Vivid Purple – N81A Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.5mm above throat Colour: Vivid Purple – N81A No Eye.
“Amazing colour; narrow, delicate flower. Trailing growth habit. Nice balance with green foliage. Consistent.”
Sender: Westhoff Vertriebsges mbH
The following were Award of Garden Merit (AGM) subject to the naming and availability issuesb being resolved.
Lobelia erinus (Waterfall Series) Waterfall Deep Blue with Eye [Trial No. 30] Votes 9:2
Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed Length 6.6cm; width 10mm Colour Yellow / Green N146A Stem 30cm Raceme length 20-25cm; Corolla width 2cm Upper petal Shape: Spatulate - 7 mm; Colour: Strong Purplish blue – 95C Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.3cm above throat Colour: Strong Purplish blue – 95C Eye colour White NN155B
“Nice open habit. Even flower distribution. Trails well. Distinctive. Looked good for a long time.”
Sender: Ball Colegrave
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Lobelia erinus (Waterfall Series) Waterfall Light Blue with Eye [Trial No. 31] Votes 9:2
Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed Length 5.2cm; width 10mm Colour Moderate Yellow Green N147B Stem 30cm Raceme length 20cm; Corolla width 2cm Upper petal Shape: Cuspidate - 7 mm; Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue – 96B Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.3cm above throat Colour: Vivid Purplish Blue – 96B Eye colour White NN155A
“Good shape. Big white eye. Paler foliage. Sets standard. Has staying power. Easy to associate with other plants.”
Sender: Ball Colegrave
Lobelia erinus (Anabel Series) Anabel Blue Bell [Trial No. 51] Votes 11:2
Leaves: Linear linear-obvate, toothed Length 4cm; width 9 mm Colour Moderate Olive Green 146A Stem 16 – 30cm Raceme length 6-20cm; Corolla width 2cm Upper petal Shape: Spatulate - 10 mm; Colour: Brilliant Purplish Blue – 97A; Lower petal shape Elliptic 1.4mm Colour: Brilliant Purplish Blue – 97A fading to 97B; Eye colour White NN155B “Good sized flower. Very striking Cambridge blue with white eye. Outstanding in both containers.”
Sender: Danziger Dan Flower Farm
The following previously awarded Awards of Garden Merit were not reconfirmed and will be considered during the Sunset Review 2012.
Lobelia erinus (Regatta Series) ‘Regatta Midnight Blue’ AGM (H3) 1998 [Trial No. 16] Sender: Ball Colegrave
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Trial Index and Senders Details
No. Name Sender
1 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna White] = 'Lobwhi' PBR Syngenta Seeds Ltd
2 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing White] = 'Lobtrawi' PBR Syngenta Seeds Ltd
3 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Denim] = 'Lobden' PBR Syngenta Seeds Ltd
4 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Violet] = 'Tec Travio' Syngenta Seeds Ltd
L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Compact Blue with Eye] = 5 Syngenta Seeds Ltd 'Lobetis'
6 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Sky Blue] = 'Loboudtis' PBR Syngenta Seeds Ltd
7 L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Blue] = 'Lob Bule' PBR Syngenta Seeds Ltd
L. erinus (Laguna Series) [Laguna Trailing Dark Blue Improved] = 8 Syngenta Seeds Ltd 'Loblamoubl' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Blue] = 'Tech Heupbule' 9 Syngenta Seeds Ltd PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Dark Blue] = 'Tech Hepdab' 10 Syngenta Seeds Ltd PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing Dark Blue] 'Tech 11 Syngenta Seeds Ltd Darbule' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing Light Blue 12 Syngenta Seeds Ltd Improved] 'Lobstrahob' PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing Violet] 'Tech Hevio' 13 Syngenta Seeds Ltd PBR L. erinus (Techno Series) [Techno Heat Trailing White Improved] 14 Syngenta Seeds Ltd 'Tech Hewhitt' PBR
15 L. erinus 'Sapphire' Ball Colegrave Ltd
16 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Midnight Blue' AGM (H3) 1998 Ball Colegrave Ltd
17 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Sapphire' Ball Colegrave Ltd
18 L. erinus (Regatta Series) Regatta Marine Blue' Ball Colegrave Ltd
19 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Blue Splash' Ball Colegrave Ltd
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No. Name Sender
20 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Sky Blue' Ball Colegrave Ltd
21 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Lilac' Ball Colegrave Ltd
22 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Lilac Splash' Ball Colegrave Ltd
23 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta Rose' Ball Colegrave Ltd
24 L. erinus (Regatta Series) 'Regatta White' Ball Colegrave Ltd
25 L. erinus (Fountain Series) 'Fountain White' Ball Colegrave Ltd
26 L. erinus (Fountain Series) 'Fountain Blue' Ball Colegrave Ltd
27 L. richardsonii Ball Colegrave Ltd
28 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Blue Ice] Ball Colegrave Ltd
29 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Blue] = 'Balobwablu' Ball Colegrave Ltd
30 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Deep Blue with Eye] Ball Colegrave Ltd
31 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Light Blue with Eye] Ball Colegrave Ltd
32 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Azure Mist] = 'Balwatazmi' Ball Colegrave Ltd
33 L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall Light Lavender] = 'Balwalila' Ball Colegrave Ltd
L. erinus (Waterfall Series) [Waterfall White Sparkle] = 34 Ball Colegrave Ltd 'Balobwaspar'
35 L. erinus 'Ocean White' PLA International ApS
36 L. erinus 'Ocean Pink' PLA International ApS
37 L. erinus 'Ocean Sky Blue' PLA International ApS
38 L. erinus 'Ocean Dark Blue' PLA International ApS
39 L. erinus 'Ocean Flash' PLA International ApS
40 L. erinus (Star Series) [Blue Star] = Wesstar' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges
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No. Name Sender
41 L. erinus (Star Series) [Super Star] = 'Weslosu' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges
42 L. erinus (Star Series) [Purple Star] = 'Wespurstar' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges
43 L. erinus (Star Sereis) [White Star] = 'Weslowei' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges
44 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot Pretty Heaven] Westhoff Vertriebsges
45 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot Water Blue] = 'Weslowat' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges
46 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot Blue] = 'Wesloblue' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges
47 L. erinus (Hot Series) [Hot White] = 'Weslowhite' PBR Westhoff Vertriebsges
Danziger Dan Flower 48 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Lavender] Farm Danziger Dan Flower 49 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Violet Whiskers] Farm Danziger Dan Flower 50 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Blue Hope] Farm Danziger Dan Flower 51 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Blue Bell] Farm Danziger Dan Flower 52 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Blue] Farm Danziger Dan Flower 53 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel Azure] Farm Danziger Dan Flower 54 L. erinus (Anabel Series) [Anabel White] Farm
Addresses of Senders Ball Colegrave Ltd, Milton Road, West Adderbury, Banbury, Oxon OX17 3EY Danziger Dan Flower Farm, Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, 50297
PLA International ApS, Nejedevej 42, 3400 Hilleroed, Denmark Syngenta Seeds Ltd, CPC4, Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB21 5XE Westhoff Vertriebsges mbH, Fresenhorst 22-24, D-46354 Sudlohn-Oeding, Germany
Source: Horticultural Trials and Relations, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB E-mail: [email protected]
More information about RHS Trials and other colour illustrated reports can be found on the RHS Website: http://www.rhs.org.uk/trials
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