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. Flowers attract native bees, hummingbirds and butterflies. 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. Photos: Marybeth Hanley. The plant may flower its first year if … They have been thriving in their pots all year, reaching heights of 4-5′, and blooming profusely. 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. 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 Common Name: Great Blue Lobelia. A versatile plant, this long-flowering summer perennial can stand moist to borderline-dry soils, and tolerates partial shade very well. Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. This North American native is a terrific bee plant for an area that receives regular moisture (even flooding) and part shade. The Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica, is a perennial flower native to most of North America. The Lobelia genus was once in its own Lobeliaceae family, then was moved to the Campanulaceae (Bellflower) family but … Naturalizes easily in moist soils, but tolerates periods of drought. Life Cycle: Perennial. 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. Lobelia siphilitica L. var. Lobelia siphilitica - Great Blue Lobelia, Blue Cardinal Flower. ... We hired Robert and crew of Camp Creek Natives to do a complete overhaul of our landscape using the full native plan. Share this product. Both of these plants are tall wetland species with colorful flowers borne on terminal racemes. Great Blue Lobelia is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 3 to 4 feet tall. The Great Blue Lobelia in our shady Back Garden seem to positively love this treatment. Its showy, blue flowers, borne on a 1-3’ tall stems, are a must for the naturalized garden. Lobelia "Native Great Blue" (1 gallon) Perennial Flower - Comes in a 1 gallon container Prefers moist soil Height: 24-36 in Width: 12-18 in Soil Conditions: Moist Lobelia siphilitica It is a late summer treat to see great blue lobelia in full bloom, often alongside the fabulously red cardinal flower. Sometimes called "blue cardinal flower", great blue lobelia resembles red cardinal flower, (Lobelia cardinalis), in stature, habitat, and structure. While false, the name stuck. Great Blue Lobelia is a wetland native species, requiring wet to moist soil, fertile and loamy. A number of species are from South Africa. 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. "-Anne Milligan "Great plants. Great blue lobelia flourishes in moist soil with filtered shade but will adapt to drier conditions with more shade. Range map for Great Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica). This plant provides late summer bloom to the perennial border, wild garden, native plant garden, woodland garden, or naturalized planting. This native perennial heralds the end of summer. It will also do fine in regular garden soil and part shade. The flowers cover the stout stems with bloom for over a month in late summer in moist soils. This plant has it all—light to dark blue, tubular, two-lipped flowers blooming in tall spikes late in the season. The plant requires little maintenance, growing in part shade, but in full sun the soil must be consistently moist, as in rain gardens. Plant Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family) Native/Alien: NC Native. Blue Lobelia makes a great garden plant—butterflies love it. PRINTER FRIENDLY « Previous Plant | Next Plant » Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue Lobelia. Great Blue Lobelia and Caladiums: another angle, They are sharing the containers mainly with Caladiums. Lobelia siphilitica, or Great Blue Lobelia, a native perennial available for sale from ThePollenNation.com These form a new plant the following year. While the flowers are usually blue, in … Great Blue Lobelia quantity. Maryland Distribution: Wet meadows throughout the state. Great blue lobelia, is a member of the Campanulaceae (Bellflower) family. The plants are always strong and healthy and Margaret is the "real thing" when it comes to truly native species. Plant Type: Herb/Wildflower. Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) By David Taylor. Lobelia ×speciosa are popular garden hybrids (usually of L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica) with flowers in shades of blue, … Lobelia siphilitica Wow! Bright green foliage. The flowers are a true blue but varying shades of blue on different plants. Blue flowering spikes. The flowers are tubular in shape with 2 petals above and 3 below the center. The species epithet is because at one time it was believed the plant was used by native Americans to treat syphilis. Great blue lobelia's flowers make great landing pads for our native bumblebees, never far away when this species is blooming. 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. Genus: Lobelia. It is also effective near ponds or streams. Ingestion of the root can cause vomiting. Great lobelia is not a true perennial because the shoots and associated roots die after the plant sets seed. Great Blue Lobelia can be found in both disturbed areas and high quality habitats. PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to it too. The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs. Developed by: Doug Landis and Anna Fiedler, MSU Department of Entomology. This colony-forming perennial grows well in medium to wet soils, especially with a little shade. Great Blue Lobelia $ 3.00 – $ 6.00. Great blue lobelia (L. siphilitica), also called blue cardinal flower, is another native perennial wildflower that bears long-lasting bright blue flowers. It prefers part-shade, but will tolerate full sun in cooler climates. 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. Deer and other mammalian herbivores generally avoid eating the plant because foliage contains toxic alkaloids. The family includes around 2,400 mostly herbaceous species, most of which occur in North America, Europe and Asia. siphilitica Show All Show Tabs great blue lobelia It produces a spike of zygomorphic flowers in the late summer. Great Blue Lobelia Lobelia siphilitica Description & Overview. It is very similar to red cardinal flower. This Lobelia can reach a height of 1-3’ with deep green foliage. Easily grown in rich, humusy, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Native to eastern areas, blue lobelia was named by Linnaeus, who had heard of its use by Native Americans to cure venereal disease. Great Blue Lobelia (also called Blue Cardinal Flower) is a tough, hardy perennial with large leaves and gorgeous, light blue blooms. Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica. It will grow 2-3′ tall in optimum conditions producing several stalks or spikes of dark blue/violet flowers. The spikes of brilliant true blue flowers on this wetland native attract butterflies, hummingbirds and neighbors to your garden! All Plants :: Native Forbs :: Natives All :: Perennials :: Lobelia siphilitica. 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. Size: 1-3 ft. Bloom Color(s): Blue. 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. Great Blue Lobelia in containers with Caladiums. Lobelia siphilitica. Lobelia siphilitica offers a deep-hued counterpoint to the yellows of late summer. Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and countless other beneficial insects. This herbaceous plant is easy to grow from seed and frequently self-sows. However, new shoots rapidly grow from the lower leaf axils and put down new roots. Great Blue Lobelia, with stem and flower parts labeled, raceme and individual flowers above. 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. It should be considered poisonous. This plant's nectar is a food source for bees and hummingbirds; it has special value for native bees and bumblebees. Lobelia siphilitica Perennial Forb Lobelia Family. Great Blue Lobelia features purple-blue, tubular flowers, which bloom July-September in whorled clusters atop tall, erect stems. Lobelia siphilitica provides outstanding color for the border, wet meadow or pond edge. Used medicinally for colds and stomach troubles by Native people and colonists alike. Species Epithet: siphilitica. 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. Will tolerate full sun in cool, northern climates, but otherwise appreciates part shade. 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