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Lobelia siphilitica |
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| Common name |
great blue lobelia |
| Family |
campanulaceae |
| Life cycle |
perennial (Z3-9) |
| Flowers |
blue or white (summer) |
| Size |
18-30" |
| Light |
sun-part shade |
| Cultural notes |
moist soil |
From seed  |
Flowers first year from seed sown indoors early.
detailed seed-starting info below
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The parent of several common lobelia hybrids, great blue lobelia is worth growing on its own merits. It can't stand dry soil (although it's probably a bit more drought-tolerant than L. cardinalis). Our first specimen was in an unfortunate location, overshadowed by hardy hibiscus by the time it bloomed. It eventually succumbed. A few years ago, I started a new batch from seed. I was expecting the blue form, but to my surprise, they flowered white in August. Charming for sure, but I think I prefer the regular species, so I re-established that from seed as well.
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We left this plant behind in our Pennsylvania garden (and wish it well); we don't grow it in Houston. Seed for this plant is included on my seed trade list One or more images of this plant are included in my stock photo catalog About my plant portraits
PlantLinks to other web pages about Lobelia siphilitica
- Seed from '04 garden. Baggy 65F with light (2%G, 17d)
- Seed from '08 trade. Baggy 70F with light (12%G, 9-40d)
- Same seed as above (labeled 'Blue'). Baggy 70F with light (~50%G, 12-20d)
Not sure if seed had low viability or if cold treatment is required. Tom Clothier suggests a temperature of 71-75F, so maybe my attempt was at too cool a temperature.
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