karima, I have some great lobelia seed left over from a trade 2005. I got at one plant and it bloomed already the first year. I wintersowed it. I will send you the lobelia as well as a surprise pkg if you send me your address. alinehuey

I just caught a cheeky chestnut backed chickadee eating my lobelia flower buds. And when I went outside to chase him away, he just kept going to town, having himself a hey-day! Cute, but really? I wonder how long this has been going on, as it's the first time I've witnessed it. I put some seeds and peanuts in a dish for him to keep him happy and away from the new little buds. I hope this helps.

It could be anything BUT lack of water. In fact if it weren't for the fact that only a few of the plants look this way, I'd guess it was TOO MUCH water. The day after I planted everything we had a three inch rain, followed by half-inch showers every few days after that. The last week has been the first time since they were put out that it did not rain and I did water them day before yesterday for good measure. The water is not ponded but the soil is completely moist. Cathy...I wonder if I tamped the soil down too firmly when I set them out. Yes the transplant shock started within 24 hours of setting out the joe-pye and the lobelia, but the joe pye snapped out of it and then the lobelia went from good to poor . The only thing that did NOT ever droop or change appearance was the blue mist (eupatorium coelestinum) and it came from a different supplier. (Hmmmm? maybe that is a factor) I have to say if you want healthy natives shipped to you in excellent condition, Shooting Star Nursery in Kentucky gets my vote of approval!

agree... you should be doing the 8 year happy dance.. not wondering why you didnt get year 9 .... as to longevity.. and our of curiosity.. how often did you change the media in the pot.. over those 8 years?? media is a water management system.. and it breakdown... and e.g... if you never changed it.. then your plant probably died due to soggy winter roots or some such ... death over winter.. when you are in a zone warm enough not to think cold kill.. is wet roots that rot.. usually due to drainage issues... but that is all wild speculation.. ken