"Sky Blue" Lobelia - does it exist anymore?

8 years ago

I just bought a 6 pack of what was labeled "Sky Blue" lobelia and it looked light blue in the nursery. Now that it's been at my house growing in 4" pots for 2 weeks (before planting in the garden) it is not light blue!!

I grew this lovely light blue flower years ago and I'm getting the feeling it doesn't exist anymore. I looked online for the seed and so far haven't seen it. There are all variations of blue but not the lovely light blue I remember.

Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ginny

Featured Answer

rob333 (zone 7b)

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Wonder if the temperature or type of light it's getting is affecting it?

Cambridge Blue (Stokes, Chiltern, Plant World, and Seedaholic all have it) is the one I want again. I found it after buying 'Sapphire Trailing' and 'Regatta Blue Splash'. Next year.

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Comments (8)

Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA
8 years ago
I got some lobelia this year and it seems to be very much sky blue. I'm in 7b.
ginjj thanked Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Laguna® Sky Blue lobelia is sold by Proven Winners. https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/lobelia/laguna-sky-blue-lobelia-erinus
ginjj thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
ginjj
Original Author
8 years ago
Great to hear it is still available. It is interesting however that the tag on the plant said "Sky Blue" but it is not light blue today. It did look light blue when I bought it. I wonder if my alkaline water may have affected it even though I only watered it a few times. Oh well, I'll stay hopeful! Thanks to all for your feedback.
Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA
8 years ago
ginjj,

Here is my lobelia but please keep in mind the photo shows it much more purple/violet than it is in reality. IRL it is much closer to sky blue.

Now if you REALLY want unequivocal crazy sky blue (pretty much cobalt), a Lithodora might be the answer.

There it is - the bluest plant I have seen in person, right up there with delphiniums.

I would love to see a forget-me-not. :-)
ginjj
Original Author
8 years ago

The lobelia in your top pictures looks light blue on my computer - just what I want. Did you by seed by chance? What is IRL? I'll keep my eye open for the Lithodora. Thanks!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Just so you know........lithodora has a very short bloom cycle compared to annual lobelia. It is in bloom now but will peter off as the season progresses with maybe just the odd sporadic flower appearing. And 'sky blue' is a bit of reach on the flower color - it is an intense cobalt blue
Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA
8 years ago
ginjj,

I did not seed - I bought a small plant from the local nursery just to add some blue to the container you see, where I also have a small lemon cypress and some marigolds. It grew a lot in one month.

gardengal,

Oh...too bad the lithodora will not last through the summer. :-(

I am disappointed because that blue is hard to beat. But will replace if necessary.

Lithodora is indeed more cobalt than sky blue - which would be lighter.

The lobelia DOES have a touch of purple but it is closer to the light sky.

They are both beautiful but I agree that blooms lasting through the summer is an important criterion.