Drought, or at least not enough water, is the usual problem - Lobelia does well in shade, actually, mostly because it doesn't like to dry out, so in hanging baskets, its often the first thing to go brown, usually by now, and has to be pulled out.

I asked the garden centre about this and was told there are two types. They told me the one that you usually buy in strips is the one that tends to give up half way through the season, and the other is a more expensive one that the professionals us in parks dept. displays. I have never heard this before but will probably have a go at the dearer one next year and see if its better.

Hmm, that sounds like a sales talk to me, Steragram, lol! Get back to us if it turns out to be accurate.

I haven't tried it but I trust the grower who told me. I was feeling too mean to splash out on some at the time and am having a lobelia free summer for a change!

I thought I was, but loads of it popped up in the containers in Spring, so I transferred it when I changed the compost back in with new plants - I must say its gone bonkers, I keep having to pull it out.

Its amazing isn't it - I've seen it growing in the cracks in paving stones under last years hanging baskets. (not in my garden though...)

I've got so much this year that it might as well be called forget me not, I think it popped up in almost every container out there, including small pots.

Ah well, it wouldn't survive in the post...