By Gattina
Bologna,
Italy 
Lobelia cardinalis: I used to try growing these gorgeous plants a very long time ago, and all I can remember is that I gave up after 2 years and about 5 lost plants, because they are snail caviar! I'd like to try again. Can anyone tell me the best conditions for growing them, please? i.e., sun/shade -damp/dry- acid/chalk, well-fed/starved? Container-grown surrounded by copper strips is about the only thing I can be sure of!
25 Oct, 2011
Answers
Ah, good start! Thank you Andrew - when you say "sun", do they mind it really hot, day-long sun, or the UK variety? I am trying to be very careful how I site them, having nearly killed some of my heucheras with too much sunshine, but I don't mind watering containers 2 or 3 times a day if that's what it takes.
25 Oct, 2011
As the plant is a native of North America, all the way from Canada to Mexico, I would imagine it can cope with quite a lot!
25 Oct, 2011
Except the blogging snails, though!
25 Oct, 2011
Hmmm - are snails eating your blogs as well? :-)
25 Oct, 2011
Well, at least one has had the edges chewed.
25 Oct, 2011
Previous question
« how do you treat hollyhocks after they have finished flowering
They require sun and a moist soil but don't like to be waterlogged in winter. I grow mine in a pot in the edge of the pond and put the pot in my greenhouse over winter.
25 Oct, 2011