If you followed the news much in the past week, you undoubtedly heard about archaeologists confirming the remains of Richard III. A team found his skeleton under a parking lot in the middle of England last summer. They recently confirmed that these remains were his by tracing the DNA back from modern-day descendants. I believe if you excavate some of the gardens I worked in a decade or so ago, you might find royal remains as well. I fell for the captivating, dark foliage of Lobelia ‘Queen Victoria’ and planted her with great expectations.
Alas, her reign was short-lived—she did not return after one season. Despite her striking burgundy leaves and vivid red blooms, Queen Victoria proved to be a finicky monarch, more of a fleeting garden flirtation than a lasting presence. I had honestly forgotten about Queen Victoria due to her lackluster performance until a new cardinal flower flew across my radar last week.
Angela Treadwell-Palmer, co-owner of Plants Nouveau, posted on Facebook about her excitement for a new Lobelia called ‘Black Truffle.’ This new selection was bred by Peter Heus and boasts the same dark, dramatic foliage as the late Queen Victoria but with the promise of greater resilience. Unlike the somewhat mysterious origins of Queen Victoria—even the online literature seems confused about her parentage—’Black Truffle’ is a true cultivar of the native and hardy Lobelia cardinalis. This connection to a native species gives me hope that Black Truffle will thrive where Queen Victoria withered.
About Lobelia Cardinalis
Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as cardinal flower, is beloved for its brilliant red flowers that are a magnet for hummingbirds and other pollinators. The native species typically thrives in wet, boggy conditions and can often be found along stream banks and in moist meadows. Black Truffle brings not only the vibrant flowers of its cardinal flower lineage but also deep, nearly black foliage that adds a dramatic contrast to any garden setting.
Lobelia ‘Black Truffle’ should excel in wet conditions where cardinal flowers normally thrive. We have quite a few partly sunny, boggy sites in the garden where I would like to give this plant a try. I envision pairing Black Truffle with lighter green foliage plants—perhaps a backdrop of Carex or Aruncus to make that dark foliage pop. The contrast between the inky leaves and the bright greens will create a striking visual effect, while the red flowers will draw in the hummingbirds like tiny, iridescent jewels.
For those interested in adding this plant to their own gardens, ‘Black Truffle’ is currently being sold as plugs through North Creek Nursery to garden centers and wholesalers. If you only want a few plants, check with your local garden center to see if they plan to stock them. With its native roots and bold appearance, ‘Black Truffle’ could be the garden royalty that finally establishes a lasting reign.
-Rodney
Photos: Plants Nouveau
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