Lobelia siphilitica
(Blue Cardinal Flower, Great Blue
Lobelia)
Origin: Native to southeast USA
Family: Campanulaceae
Light: Sun-part shade/light shade
Height: 2-3'
Spacing: 1.5-2'
Blooms: Showy, 1" long, blue-violet, tubular, axilliary, mid-Summer
Foliage: Herbaceous, green, smooth, ovate to lance-shaped, hairy
Soil: Well-drained, rich, moist, mildly acidic, neutral
Water: High, reduce in Winter
Uses: Medicinal, bog garden, mass plant, butterfly garden, hummingbird garden, around ponds, container
Propagation: Rootball divisions (In Spring)/ seeds
Caution: Excessive use can be fatal
Comments: Lobelia siphilitica or Blue Cardinal Flower or Great Blue
Lobelia is a short-lived perennial herb with an erect, clump-forming growth habit. It is a native of USA. From mid-Summer to Fall, Lobelia siphilitica produces showy blue-violet blossoms on the higher section of the 2-3' tall spike. Butterflies especially the Fritillary and hummingbirds are magnetized by the nectar-rich blossoms. Blue Lobelia has smooth, ovate to lance-shaped hairy foliage borne on hairy stems. It is easily propagated from rootball divisions or seeds. Lobelia siphilitica thrives best in well-drained, moist, rich acidic to neutral soil in a sunny to part shade environment. Mass plant Great Blue Lobelia in the wet garden or around ponds for a terrific display. It can also be container cultivated and partially submerged in a pond. Divide Blue Lobelia in Spring every 2 to 3 years. It had been a very useful plant to the native Americans in traditional medicine. The roots and other parts of the plant were used to treat various ailments including edema, dysentry, diarrhea and syphilis. Excessive use can cause toxicity.
USDA Zones: 4-9
JennysGarden.com...Plants
images
and
gardening descriptions of Lobelia siphilitica (Blue Cardinal Flower, Great Blue
Lobelia) growing in Jennys' Garden
Image of butterfly and hummingbird attractor, Lobelia siphilitica or Blue Cardinal Flower or Great Blue
Lobelia coming soon...
Seeds/plant availability: jen@JennysGarden.com
