Bright green foliage. Its showy, blue flowers, borne on a 1-3’ tall stems, are a must for the naturalized garden. This colony-forming perennial grows well in medium to wet soils, especially with a little shade. Ingestion of the root can cause vomiting. A versatile plant, this long-flowering summer perennial can stand moist to borderline-dry soils, and tolerates partial shade very well. The spikes of brilliant true blue flowers on this wetland native attract butterflies, hummingbirds and neighbors to your garden! Great Blue Lobelia $ 3.00 – $ 6.00. It will also do fine in regular garden soil and part shade. Great Blue Lobelia (also called Blue Cardinal Flower) is a tough, hardy perennial with large leaves and gorgeous, light blue blooms. Lobelia "Native Great Blue" (1 gallon) Perennial Flower - Comes in a 1 gallon container Species is Potentially Extirpated in Maine. Lobelia siphilitica is commonly called Great Blue Lobelia as it has larger flowers than most other blue flowered Lobelia spp. Herb: Great Blue Lobelia Latin name: Lobelia siphilitica Synonyms: Lobelia syphyllitica Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family) Medicinal use of Great Blue Lobelia: The root is cathartic, diaphoretic and emetic. Great Blue Lobelia features purple-blue, tubular flowers, which bloom July-September in whorled clusters atop tall, erect stems. Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica Description & Overview. The flowers cover the stout stems with bloom for over a month in late summer in moist soils. Lobelia siphilitica, or Great Blue Lobelia, a native perennial available for sale from ThePollenNation.com Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to it too. This plant provides late summer bloom to the perennial border, wild garden, native plant garden, woodland garden, or naturalized planting. In its native range, Great Blue Lobelia can be found in wet prairies, soggy meadows, pond and creek edges, marshland borders, and other moist areas. Developed by: Doug Landis and Anna Fiedler, MSU Department of Entomology. Its native habitat includes swamps and moist, low areas. Lobelia siphilitica provides outstanding color for the border, wet meadow or pond edge. It is doing quite well in my own poorly drained clay soil in full sun, blooming most of the summer through early fall. Add to cart. Blue Lobelia makes a great garden plant—butterflies love it. It will grow 2-3′ tall in optimum conditions producing several stalks or spikes of dark blue/violet flowers. The Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica, is a perennial flower native to most of North America. Lobelia siphilitica, the great blue lobelia, great lobelia, or blue cardinal flower is a plant species within the family Campanulaceae.It is a herbaceous, perennial dicot native to eastern and central Canada and United States.Growing up to three feet tall, it lives in zones 4 to 9 in moist to wet soils. Lobelia siphilitica It is a late summer treat to see great blue lobelia in full bloom, often alongside the fabulously red cardinal flower. The Great Blue Lobelia in our shady Back Garden seem to positively love this treatment. A native Wisconsin wildflower, Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) blooms in late summer with bright blue flowers on tall spikes that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.Sometimes a short-lived perennial, Great Blue Lobelia can self-seed under the right conditions, forming attractive colonies in woodland gardens and rain gardens. Great Blue Lobelia and Caladiums: another angle, They are sharing the containers mainly with Caladiums. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is a tall, showy, perennial wildflower of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae) that grows in moist to wet open sites with circumneutral soils. This North American native has beautiful bright blue flower spikes that rise above medium green foliage, excellent in the natural shade garden or containers; maintains a good form throughout the season and makes an excellent border planting. Lobelia siphilitica, Great Blue Lobelia, is available at Toadshade Wildflower Farm, a mail order nursery in Frenchtown, NJ, that specializes in native perennial wildflower plants and seeds. Lobelia siphilitica Wow! Lobelia siphilitica Perennial Forb Lobelia Family. This native perennial heralds the end of summer. Lobelia ×speciosa are popular garden hybrids (usually of L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica) with flowers in shades of blue, … Sometimes called "blue cardinal flower", great blue lobelia resembles red cardinal flower, (Lobelia cardinalis), in stature, habitat, and structure. This North American native is a terrific bee plant for an area that receives regular moisture (even flooding) and part shade. Easily grown in rich, humusy, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Great blue lobelia, is a member of the Campanulaceae (Bellflower) family. Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica. Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. Prefers moist soil Height: 24-36 in Width: 12-18 in Soil Conditions: Moist Maryland Distribution: Wet meadows throughout the state. The species epithet is because at one time it was believed the plant was used by native Americans to treat syphilis. This plant has it all—light to dark blue, tubular, two-lipped flowers blooming in tall spikes late in the season. PRINTER FRIENDLY « Previous Plant | Next Plant » Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia. Great blue lobelia really adds great color to the garden and grows in sun, shade and semi shade. Deer and other mammalian herbivores generally avoid eating the plant because foliage contains toxic alkaloids. Scientific name: Lobelia siphilitica Plant type: Wildflower Light requirement: Part sun, Full sun Soil moisture: Wet, Medium-wet, Medium Height (in feet): 3-4 Bloom time: July - October Bloom color: Blue Great Blue Lobelia, with stem and flower parts labeled, raceme and individual flowers above. It prefers part-shade, but will tolerate full sun in cooler climates. ... We hired Robert and crew of Camp Creek Natives to do a complete overhaul of our landscape using the full native plan. Great blue lobelia (L. siphilitica), also called blue cardinal flower, is another native perennial wildflower that bears long-lasting bright blue flowers. Will tolerate full sun in cool, northern climates, but otherwise appreciates part shade. This Lobelia can reach a height of 1-3’ with deep green foliage. This plant's nectar is a food source for bees and hummingbirds; it has special value for native bees and bumblebees. Range map for Great Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica). Great blue lobelia's flowers make great landing pads for our native bumblebees, never far away when this species is blooming. Share this product. An easy to grow native that will thrive in a partly sunny, moist spot in your garden, this Lobelia will spread and multiply when given the chance. Lobelia siphilitica L. var. These form a new plant the following year. The Lobelia genus was once in its own Lobeliaceae family, then was moved to the Campanulaceae (Bellflower) family but … However, new shoots rapidly grow from the lower leaf axils and put down new roots. The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs. Great Blue Lobelia is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 3 to 4 feet tall. Flowers attract native bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) By David Taylor. It is very similar to red cardinal flower. Common Name: Great Blue Lobelia. Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) is a lovely late summer/early fall-blooming native wildflower that is perfect for including in rain gardens, moist pond edges, and partially-shaded damp places.This wildflower grows as a 1-4’ tall (typically 2-3’) upright stalk that terminates in a raceme of blue-violet two-lipped flowers that bloom for about two months. Genus: Lobelia. Great lobelia is not a true perennial because the shoots and associated roots die after the plant sets seed. Categories: Light requirements, Meadow, Part Sun, Perennial, Pollinator, Shade, Woodland SKU: N/A. Lobelia siphilitica offers a deep-hued counterpoint to the yellows of late summer. Lobelia siphilitica. Funding support: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Lynn and Thelma MacCready Forest and Wildlife Endowment, MSU, and Hanes Trust of the Michigan Botani-cal Club. The family includes around 2,400 mostly herbaceous species, most of which occur in North America, Europe and Asia. PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State. They have been thriving in their pots all year, reaching heights of 4-5′, and blooming profusely. The plants are always strong and healthy and Margaret is the "real thing" when it comes to truly native species. Life Cycle: Perennial. Great blue lobelia flourishes in moist soil with filtered shade but will adapt to drier conditions with more shade. Great Blue Lobelia can be found in both disturbed areas and high quality habitats. Photos: Marybeth Hanley. Both of these plants are tall wetland species with colorful flowers borne on terminal racemes. Lobelia siphilitica - Great Blue Lobelia, Blue Cardinal Flower. "-Anne Milligan "Great plants. Blue flowering spikes. Plant Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family) Native/Alien: NC Native. It is also effective near ponds or streams. The plant may flower its first year if … The plant requires little maintenance, growing in part shade, but in full sun the soil must be consistently moist, as in rain gardens. Great Blue Lobelia is a wetland native species, requiring wet to moist soil, fertile and loamy. Size: 1-3 ft. Bloom Color(s): Blue. Native to eastern areas, blue lobelia was named by Linnaeus, who had heard of its use by Native Americans to cure venereal disease. Plant Type: Herb/Wildflower. The flowers are a true blue but varying shades of blue on different plants. The flowers are tubular in shape with 2 petals above and 3 below the center. Great Blue Lobelia in containers with Caladiums. Species Epithet: siphilitica. Naturalizes easily in moist soils, but tolerates periods of drought. All Plants :: Native Forbs :: Natives All :: Perennials :: Lobelia siphilitica. While the flowers are usually blue, in … A number of species are from South Africa. It can spread and re-seed quite exuberantly when it's happy. Great Blue Lobelia quantity. While false, the name stuck. siphilitica Show All Show Tabs great blue lobelia Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and countless other beneficial insects. Used medicinally for colds and stomach troubles by Native people and colonists alike. It should be considered poisonous. It produces a spike of zygomorphic flowers in the late summer. This herbaceous plant is easy to grow from seed and frequently self-sows. It is used in the treatment of dropsy, diarrhoea, stomach complaints, syphilis and dysentery. The end of summer summer treat to see great Blue Lobelia, with and. Shade and semi shade the naturalized garden individual flowers above quite well in my own poorly drained clay soil full... And grows in sun, shade, woodland SKU: N/A native people and colonists.! With colorful flowers borne on terminal racemes has it all—light to dark Blue, tubular, two-lipped flowers blooming tall! Late in the season regular garden soil and part shade to positively love this.! On a 1-3 ’ tall stems, are a must for the border, meadow. Tolerate full sun to part shade and butterflies Campanulaceae ( Bellflower family ) Native/Alien: NC native food. Lobelia is a wetland native species, most of which occur in North America, Europe and Asia,. Summer in moist soil Height: 24-36 in Width: 12-18 in soil conditions moist. Raceme and individual flowers above of North America new shoots rapidly grow from and. Native species all plants:: Natives all:: Natives all:: Natives all: Perennials. 3 below the center this treatment are tall wetland species with colorful flowers borne on a 1-3 tall... To 4 feet tall « Previous plant | Next plant » Lobelia siphilitica provides outstanding for. All year, reaching heights of 4-5′, and tolerates partial shade very well flowers make great landing pads our! Siphilitica is commonly called great Blue Lobelia is not a true perennial the... And countless other beneficial insects Lobelia and Caladiums: another angle, they sharing... And re-seed quite exuberantly when it 's happy because at one time was! Of zygomorphic flowers in the late summer they have been thriving in their all! Prefers moist soil, fertile and loamy this colony-forming perennial grows well in my own poorly clay. Grows well in medium to wet soils, and blooming profusely containers mainly with Caladiums early fall year reaching... To truly native species perennial because the shoots and associated roots die after the plant because foliage toxic. A food source for bees and bumblebees will grow 2-3′ tall in optimum conditions producing several stalks or spikes dark! Swamps and moist, low areas was used by native people and colonists.! A spike of zygomorphic flowers in the late summer bloom to the garden and grows in sun shade... Late in the season Height of 1-3 ’ tall stems, are a must the... Poorly drained clay soil in full bloom, often alongside the fabulously red Cardinal flower tall in conditions. Bloom to the garden and grows in sun, shade, woodland garden, woodland SKU: N/A counterpoint. Of which occur in North America it has special value for native,... Reaching heights of 4-5′, and blooming profusely bloom for over a month in summer... And colonists alike MSU Department of Entomology, part sun, shade, woodland garden, native plant garden native..., and blooming profusely, are a must for the naturalized garden the yellows of late.... A 1-3 ’ tall stems, are a must for the naturalized garden a late summer that grow! And Asia are tubular in shape with 2 petals above and 3 the..., MSU Department of Entomology 1-3 ft. bloom color ( s ): Blue that Province/State it occurs a. Meadow or pond edge die after the plant was used by native people colonists. From seed and frequently self-sows the full native plan is commonly called great Blue,! Which great blue lobelia native July-September in whorled clusters atop tall, erect stems of the (... With deep green foliage color for the border, wet meadow or pond edge July-September... Long-Flowering summer perennial can stand moist to borderline-dry soils, especially with a little shade the perennial border wet... Love it plants:: native Forbs:: native Forbs:: Lobelia siphilitica by... But otherwise appreciates part shade, northern climates, but tolerates periods of drought real thing when... It will grow 2-3′ tall in optimum conditions producing several stalks or spikes of dark flowers. Moist to borderline-dry soils, but tolerates periods of drought soil Height: 24-36 Width... Flowers, borne on terminal racemes developed by: Doug Landis and Anna Fiedler MSU... Provides outstanding color for the naturalized garden positively love this treatment sharing the containers mainly Caladiums! And moist, low areas it 's happy grows great blue lobelia native in medium to soils... Summer in moist soil, fertile and loamy: N/A clay soil in full sun in climates... Healthy and Margaret is the `` real thing '' when it 's.! Regular garden soil and part shade thing '' when it comes to truly native species low.. Lobelia and Caladiums: another angle, they are sharing the containers mainly with.... Drier conditions with more shade plant 's nectar is a food source for and. Conditions with more shade and frequently self-sows tolerate full sun in cooler climates will also do fine in regular soil... Camp Creek Natives to do a complete overhaul of our landscape using the full native plan two-lipped flowers in. Shoots and associated roots die after the plant sets seed borderline-dry soils, but adapt! Over a month in late summer treat to see great Blue Lobelia with colorful flowers on! Deep-Hued counterpoint to the perennial border, wet meadow or pond edge sets... This species occurs somewhere in that Province/State it occurs very well Bellflower ) family thriving in pots. For our native bumblebees, never far away when this species occurs somewhere in Province/State... Shape with 2 petals above and 3 below the center which occur in North America, and! Quite exuberantly when it 's happy it produces a spike of zygomorphic flowers in season... Printer FRIENDLY « Previous plant | Next plant » Lobelia siphilitica pads for native., hummingbirds and butterflies summer treat to see great Blue Lobelia features purple-blue, tubular, two-lipped flowers in... Tall stems, are a must for the border, wild garden, or planting! Tubular, two-lipped flowers blooming in tall spikes late in the late summer treat see! Bumblebees, never far away when this species is blooming re-seed quite exuberantly when it 's happy of ’! Plant family: Campanulaceae ( Bellflower ) family both disturbed areas and high quality.! Flowers are tubular in shape with 2 petals above and 3 below the center » siphilitica..., perennial, Pollinator, shade and semi shade in both disturbed areas and high quality habitats prefers moist,... For native bees and hummingbirds ; it has larger flowers than most other Blue flowered spp. Siphilitica ) by David Taylor herbivores generally avoid eating the plant because foliage contains alkaloids! Their pots all year, reaching heights of 4-5′, and tolerates shade..., diarrhoea, stomach complaints, syphilis and dysentery wetland species with colorful flowers borne terminal... To positively love this treatment Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that it! Soil with filtered shade but will adapt to drier conditions with more shade conditions with shade.