http://tinyurl.com/3y7bqe
shows a tubful of Lobelia Fan scarlet that are singing their last
verse. There are four or five plants in the tub, and for a long time
in the spring, I was not sure whether I hadn't by mistake planted
some curious variety of reddish-green lettuce. But since it stopped
raining, the tub has delighted us for two months with a stunning
display of red spikes up to four feet tall.

Being an absolute beginner at this gardening lark, I now wonder
whether anyone could advise me how to maximize the potential for an
equally spectacular performance next year. One of the photos shows
that many of the spikes have new leaf growth, some at the bottom,
some halfway up and some at the very top. Should I cut the spikes
back? How far? Can I save some seeds for sowing next spring? If
leave the tub outside all winter, should I protect it somehow? (I'll
have to leave it out, anyway - no indoor storage here.)

You were all very kind answering my last query about a pot plant, so
I'm hoping for a repeat performance.
--
Noel