From vivid sapphire and sky blues to bright whites and pretty shades of pink, lobelias have become essential vegetative annuals, thanks to breeding focused on heat tolerance.
Gardeners first became captivated by lobelia as a spring bedding plant produced from seed, often planted in beds alongside ageratum. These varieties fell short because they didn’t go the distance all summer in hot, humid regions. But in mild coastal climates, like the Pacific Northwest, cityscapes became known for beautiful blue hanging baskets filled with lobelia. Trailing varieties blend especially well in combinations, offering colors not found in other bedding plant categories.
Breeding lobelias for heat tolerance has made a huge difference in the vegetative annual varieties. The newest on the market are the Suntory Lobelia compact and trailing series from Suntory Flowers. Based in Japan, Suntory has always focused on breeding heat- and weather-tolerant varieties, including Surfinia petunias, Sun Parasol mandevillas and Surdiva scaevolas. Extensive breeding takes place in hot and humid climates, such as Japan and Vietnam, as well as hot and dry climates like Australia.
Choose the perfect plant
Both Suntory Lobelia series were selected for summer performance and span a nice color range, offering four key colors in each set.
Suntory Lobelia Compact is perfect for small pots and patio containers, where they are an excellent filler component in combinations. This series is not recommended for hanging baskets because the habit is more upright. Plants were bred for high-density branching and are covered with flowers as they hold their tidy shape through the season. Choose from Compact White, Compact Sky Blue, Compact Blue and Compact Pink. Plants reach a garden height of 8 to 15 inches with a spread of 6 to 12 inches.
For commercial growers, the compact series is a dream to produce. Plants are early and uniform across the series and naturally compact. In addition to being able to be grown at cooler temperatures to save energy, no plant growth regulators are required. Plants are very floriferous and hold their mounded shape.
Suntory Lobelia Trailing varieties are drop-dead gorgeous in hanging baskets, but also a spiller and a filler in patio pots. Gardeners will appreciate the wider, more graceful spread than other lobelias, along with the weather tolerance. Colors include Trailing Sky Blue, Trailing Blue with Eye, Trailing White and Trailing Pink. Plants reach a garden height of 10 to 5 inches and spread 8 to 12 inches.
Captivating combos
To instantly create a premium hanging basket, mix two or three of the trailing varieties together. The three lighter colors — Trailing Sky Blue, Trailing White and Trailing Pink, create a fantasy fairy tale look fit for a princess.
Trailing White is starring in two hot new combos along with bidens ‘Beedance Painted Red.’
The Bee Fabulous Combo contains: Suntory Lobelia Trailing White, Beedance Painted Red and petunia ‘Surfinia Deep Red.’
Bee-utiful! contains: Suntory Lobelia Trailing White, Beedance Painted Red and verbena Temari Trailing Blue.
Be among the first to offer these unique combos to your customers in spring 2016.
Learn more at www.suntorycollection.com.