Types Of Edging Lobelia That Hummingbirds & Pollinators Can't Resist

If you're looking for a stunning plant to add to your pollinator garden, edging lobelia (Lobelia erinus) fits the bill perfectly. It's a visual treat that will make you smile every time you look at it. What's more, this gorgeous plant will also be a magnet for hummingbirds, which won't be able to resist that cornucopia of brilliant blue blooms in your yard. 

As a common annual, edging lobelia tends to bloom best when the days are shorter rather than in the heat of summer, so you can expect an absolute abundance of those pretty whimsical flowers in the spring and fall. This is perfect for attracting migratory hummingbirds as they fuel up for their long journeys. Apart from popular pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, edging lobelia also attracts some other beneficial insects, such as syrphid flies and small parasitic wasps.

There are a multitude of edging lobelia varieties to choose from, with many of them having magnificent azure flowers. There are also cultivars with white or purple blooms, but it's the blue ones that'll really stand out in your garden. You can use these as border plants for your flower beds or as amazing trailing flowers in hanging baskets. Just make sure you provide them with plenty of moisture and well-drained soil or potting mix. Some of the best cobalt edging lobelias are 'Cascade Blue,' 'Blue Moon,' 'Cambridge Blue,' 'Riviera Blue Eyes,' and 'Regatta Midnight Blue.'

Lobelia 'Cascade Blue' will delight you with its richly colored sapphire flowers to lure in those bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Grow it in a sunny spot, and wait for it to be covered with vivid blooms in early spring and again in fall. For a profusion of royal blue flowers, you might want to try lobelia 'Blue Moon,' but if you're after a softer blue, try lobelia 'Cambridge Blue,' which is a compact plant reaching a height of only 6 inches. These beautiful spring annuals will turn your garden into a colorful showstopper.

For an even more outstanding display, consider lobelia 'Riviera Blue Eyes.' Not only does it have rich blue petals, but these have white centers which create an impressive contrast. On the other hand, lobelia 'Regatta Midnight Blue' has intense violet-blue flowers that will take your breath away when they appear in early spring. For additional interest, you may want to take a look at lobelia 'Crystal Palace,' which has the most dazzling cobalt blooms with foliage that's tinged with bronze.

Finally, Proven Winners also has a selection of beautiful blue edging lobelias, including 'Laguna Sky Blue,' 'Laguna Dark Blue,' and 'Laguna Royale Blue Pearl.' These hanging basket flowers will look perfect on your porch so you can watch the pollinator and hummer activity from your front window.