Photo courtesy of Spotswood Greenery
Photo courtesy of Spotswood Greenery
Photo courtesy of Spotswood Greenery
Lobelia siphilitica
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Great blue lobelia carries spikes of clear blue flowers in late summer, a color that is genuinely scarce that late in the season. Lobelia siphilitica is a native perennial growing 2 to 3 feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide in full sun to part sun, hardy from Zone 4 through Zone 8.
The flowers open from the bottom of the spike upward over several weeks. Bumblebees are the main pollinator, heavy enough to force their way into the tubular flowers, and butterflies come to them as well.
It is longer-lived than red cardinal flower and holds its clump better, though it also self-sows and will move around a planting over time.
Great blue lobelia grows wild in wet meadows, along streams, and in low ground, so it takes wet soil and shallow standing water. It struggles in a dry bed. Deer leave it alone.
Height 2'- 3' Spread 18"- 24"
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8
Lowest Temperatures -30°F to -20°F
Full sun to part sun- at least 4 hours direct sun per day
AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY
