Lobelia 'Hadspen Purple' is a clump-forming perennial hybrid selected at Hadspen Garden in Somerset, England. It produces tall stems with deep purple-bronze foliage topped by vivid violet flowers from midsummer into fall, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies. The saturated foliage color makes it effective when planted beside chartreuse or silver-leaved companions in a mixed border.
This plant performs best in consistently moist, humus-rich soil and tolerates part shade well, making it a natural fit for pond margins, rain gardens, and low-lying border sections that stay damp. In zones 4–5, mulching the crown after the first hard frost improves winter survival. Plants benefit from division every two to three years in early spring to maintain vigor and flowering quality.
Crown Rot
Lower leaves yellow and wilt; the base of the rosette turns brown and soft, sometimes with white fungal threads at the soil line. Plants collapse in wet conditions.
Remove and destroy affected plants. Improve drainage and avoid overhead watering. Do not mulch directly against the crown. Space plants for airflow and avoid replanting in the same wet spot.
Root rot
Plants wilt, yellow, and stunt even in moist soil; lower stems and roots turn brown, soft, and mushy and the plant may collapse. Most common in heavy, wet, or poorly drained ground.
Improve drainage and stop overwatering, and never plant too deep. Lift and destroy badly affected plants along with the soil around the roots. Grow in raised or free-draining beds to prevent it returning.
Botrytis (grey mould)
Grey fuzzy mould on petals and stems, worst in cool wet conditions.
Remove affected parts immediately. Improve air circulation. Avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide if severe.
Fungal leaf spot
Brown or purplish spots on the leaves, often ringed with a yellow halo, that spread and merge in warm, humid, or wet weather; heavily spotted leaves yellow and drop early.
Pick off spotted leaves and clear fallen debris to remove overwintering spores. Improve air circulation by thinning, and water at the base so foliage dries quickly. If it persists, apply a copper- or sulfur-based fungicide at the first sign.