Lobelia Speciosa Fan Scarlet

Lobelia speciosa Fan Scarlet Seeds

(Scarlet Cardinal Flower — Fan Series)

Lobelia speciosa Fan Scarlet is among the most celebrated ornamental lobelias in the world of cut flower and border plant breeding. The variety earned the Fleuroselect Gold Medal — an award reserved for seed varieties that represent a true breakthrough in both breeding achievement and garden beauty — recognized for its attractive foliage color, long flowering period, floridity, plant habit, uniformity, and improved disease and weather tolerance. These are not marketing claims but independently verified qualities confirmed through international trials.

Fan Scarlet is a modern, robust, and profusely flowering perennial from the well-known Fan Series, prized for its compact growth, striking bronze leaves, and vibrant scarlet flowers. As a FastraX perennial, Fan Scarlet flowers in the first year without a cold period — a significant advantage for both professional growers and home gardeners who want reliable, fast color.
The combination of scarlet flowers carried on copper-bronze foliage is visually striking. The flower spikes bloom from the base upward along the stem, creating a continuous vertical display over an extended season. The upright habit and rich flower-to-foliage color contrast make this lobelia a natural focal point in any planting scheme.

Fan Scarlet is classified as a facultative long-day plant, meaning longer days with higher light intensity result in faster and more prolific flowering. In the Gulf context, this characteristic is particularly relevant: the bright, high-intensity light of the autumn-to-spring season in Kuwait is well suited to encourage flower development, provided temperatures remain within the plant’s preferred range.
Fan Scarlet produces tubular scarlet flowers on tall spikes and is known to attract butterflies. It adapts well to garden conditions and can be used in moist areas or beside water features.

Variety Details

• Lobelia speciosa Fan Scarlet belongs to the Campanulaceae family.
• Lobelia x speciosa originates from North America, and through selective crossings, the Fan series represents one of the most refined groups within the species.
• The Fan Series from Benary achieves a minimum germination rate of 85%, with typical results exceeding 90%, and seeds are supplied in pelleted form for easier handling and precision sowing.

Key Features

• Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner.
• FastraX F1 hybrid
• Flowers first year without vernalization.
• Intense scarlet flower spikes on bronze-copper foliage.
• Upright habit reaching 50 to 60 cm.
• Excellent branching and plant uniformity.
• Attracts butterflies and beneficial pollinators.
• Suitable for borders, containers, and cut flower use.

Plant Information

• Family: Campanulaceae.
• Type: Perennial grown as annual in Gulf conditions.
• Height: 50 to 60 cm. Spread: 30 to 35 cm.
• Flower color: Scarlet red (RHS 45B).
• Foliage: Bronze-copper.
• Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
• Water: Moderate to regular, consistently moist well-drained soil.
• Hardiness zones: 6 to 10.

Seed Germination

• Germination occurs in 10 to 14 days at 21 degrees Celsius.
• Seeds must not be covered as they require light for germination. Maintain high humidity throughout the germination phase.
• Humidity should be kept at 80 percent until radicle emergence, then reduced to 70 percent. Consistent high humidity is required during this phase, with proper ventilation and horizontal airflow to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the growing medium.
• Sow in trays or plug cells using a well-draining, fine-textured seed-starting medium.
• Seeds are pelleted and should be handled individually for precise placement.

Growing Tips

• Transplant plugs after approximately 10 weeks.
• Transplant one plant into a 10 to 15 cm pot, or 2 to 3 plants into a 15 cm or larger container.
• Grow on at 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.
• Vernalization is not required for flower initiation.
• Use a well-drained substrate with pH 6.0 to 7.0. Moderate to high fertilization is required; fertilize weekly with a complete balanced fertilizer.
• Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen applications.
• In Kuwait’s open summer conditions, this plant is not suitable for outdoor cultivation during the hot months.
• Prepare plugs in a protected environment beginning in September for transplanting into beds or containers from October onward.

Gulf Planting Season

• Sow indoors in protected nursery conditions: September through October.
• Transplant to containers or garden beds: October through November.
• Expected flowering: December through March, depending on sowing time and growing conditions.
• Summer cultivation is not recommended.
• Fan Scarlet requires cool temperatures between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius for optimal growth and flowering.
• Protect plants from temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius.

Garden and Floral Uses

• Lobelia speciosa Fan Scarlet is suited for mixed perennial borders, ornamental containers, patio displays, and water-adjacent garden areas.
• The scarlet spikes combine beautifully with purple, white, or yellow flowering plants such as Salvia, Leucanthemum, and Crocosmia.
• Fan Scarlet is also considered a good cut flower, with tall spikes that hold well in arrangements.
• Plant in small groups against neutral or green-foliage backgrounds to maximize the visual impact of the scarlet-on-bronze