Great Blue Lobelia
Brilliant Blue Flowers for Late Summer Gardens
Great Blue Lobelia is a native herbaceous perennial known for upright spikes of blue to lavender-blue tubular flowers. Also called blue cardinal flower, this moisture-loving perennial brings cool, rich color to the garden from midsummer into early fall, right when many spring and early-summer perennials are slowing down.
The flowers are arranged along upright stems, creating a vertical accent that stands out in rain gardens, moist borders, native plantings, pond edges, streamside beds, and woodland edges. Its blue bloom color is especially valuable because true blue flowers are less common in late-season perennial gardens.
A Native Perennial with Strong Pollinator Value
Lobelia siphilitica is native across much of eastern and central North America and is well-suited to naturalized gardens, pollinator beds, and ecological landscapes. Its tubular flowers are visited by bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators that can reach the nectar.
Because it blooms late in the season, Great Blue Lobelia helps extend pollinator resources into the end of summer and early fall. Plant it with other moisture-loving native perennials to create a longer bloom sequence and stronger habitat value.
Perfect for Rain Gardens, Pond Edges, and Moist Borders
Great Blue Lobelia performs best in consistently moist soil. It is a natural fit for rain gardens, low spots, wet meadows, pond edges, stream banks, and moist woodland edges. It also grows well in average garden beds when watered regularly and protected from long dry spells.
Use it where the soil stays evenly moist but not stagnant. In full sun, consistent moisture is especially important. In hotter or drier sites, part shade helps keep foliage fresh and reduces stress during summer heat.
Upright Texture Without Taking Over the Garden
Great Blue Lobelia forms upright clumps that typically reach about 2–4 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide, depending on site conditions. The vertical flower spikes add structure without creating a large, woody footprint.
In favorable conditions, plants may self-seed and form natural colonies. This is a benefit in rain gardens, native plantings, and meadow-style beds, but seedlings can be thinned if more control is needed. Divide established clumps in spring if they become crowded.
Easy Care with Moisture and Seasonal Cleanup
Plant Great Blue Lobelia in full sun to part shade with fertile, moist to wet soil. It appreciates organic matter and steady moisture, especially during establishment and bloom season. Mulch can help conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool.
Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Deadheading is optional. Leaving some flowers to set seed can help the plant reseed naturally and maintain a colony over time, which is useful because Great Blue Lobelia can behave as a shorter-lived perennial in some gardens.
Brilliant Blue Flowers for Late Summer Gardens
Great Blue Lobelia is a native herbaceous perennial known for upright spikes of blue to lavender-blue tubular flowers. Also called blue cardinal flower, this moisture-loving perennial brings cool, rich color to the garden from midsummer into early fall, right when many spring and early-summer perennials are slowing down.
The flowers are arranged along upright stems, creating a vertical accent that stands out in rain gardens, moist borders, native plantings, pond edges, streamside beds, and woodland edges. Its blue bloom color is especially valuable because true blue flowers are less common in late-season perennial gardens.
A Native Perennial with Strong Pollinator Value
Lobelia siphilitica is native across much of eastern and central North America and is well-suited to naturalized gardens, pollinator beds, and ecological landscapes. Its tubular flowers are visited by bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators that can reach the nectar.
Because it blooms late in the season, Great Blue Lobelia helps extend pollinator resources into the end of summer and early fall. Plant it with other moisture-loving native perennials to create a longer bloom sequence and stronger habitat value.
Perfect for Rain Gardens, Pond Edges, and Moist Borders
Great Blue Lobelia performs best in consistently moist soil. It is a natural fit for rain gardens, low spots, wet meadows, pond edges, stream banks, and moist woodland edges. It also grows well in average garden beds when watered regularly and protected from long dry spells.
Use it where the soil stays evenly moist but not stagnant. In full sun, consistent moisture is especially important. In hotter or drier sites, part shade helps keep foliage fresh and reduces stress during summer heat.
Upright Texture Without Taking Over the Garden
Great Blue Lobelia forms upright clumps that typically reach about 2–4 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide, depending on site conditions. The vertical flower spikes add structure without creating a large, woody footprint.
In favorable conditions, plants may self-seed and form natural colonies. This is a benefit in rain gardens, native plantings, and meadow-style beds, but seedlings can be thinned if more control is needed. Divide established clumps in spring if they become crowded.
Easy Care with Moisture and Seasonal Cleanup
Plant Great Blue Lobelia in full sun to part shade with fertile, moist to wet soil. It appreciates organic matter and steady moisture, especially during establishment and bloom season. Mulch can help conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool.
Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Deadheading is optional. Leaving some flowers to set seed can help the plant reseed naturally and maintain a colony over time, which is useful because Great Blue Lobelia can behave as a shorter-lived perennial in some gardens.
Original: $26.95
-70%$26.95
$8.08Description
Brilliant Blue Flowers for Late Summer Gardens
Great Blue Lobelia is a native herbaceous perennial known for upright spikes of blue to lavender-blue tubular flowers. Also called blue cardinal flower, this moisture-loving perennial brings cool, rich color to the garden from midsummer into early fall, right when many spring and early-summer perennials are slowing down.
The flowers are arranged along upright stems, creating a vertical accent that stands out in rain gardens, moist borders, native plantings, pond edges, streamside beds, and woodland edges. Its blue bloom color is especially valuable because true blue flowers are less common in late-season perennial gardens.
A Native Perennial with Strong Pollinator Value
Lobelia siphilitica is native across much of eastern and central North America and is well-suited to naturalized gardens, pollinator beds, and ecological landscapes. Its tubular flowers are visited by bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators that can reach the nectar.
Because it blooms late in the season, Great Blue Lobelia helps extend pollinator resources into the end of summer and early fall. Plant it with other moisture-loving native perennials to create a longer bloom sequence and stronger habitat value.
Perfect for Rain Gardens, Pond Edges, and Moist Borders
Great Blue Lobelia performs best in consistently moist soil. It is a natural fit for rain gardens, low spots, wet meadows, pond edges, stream banks, and moist woodland edges. It also grows well in average garden beds when watered regularly and protected from long dry spells.
Use it where the soil stays evenly moist but not stagnant. In full sun, consistent moisture is especially important. In hotter or drier sites, part shade helps keep foliage fresh and reduces stress during summer heat.
Upright Texture Without Taking Over the Garden
Great Blue Lobelia forms upright clumps that typically reach about 2–4 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide, depending on site conditions. The vertical flower spikes add structure without creating a large, woody footprint.
In favorable conditions, plants may self-seed and form natural colonies. This is a benefit in rain gardens, native plantings, and meadow-style beds, but seedlings can be thinned if more control is needed. Divide established clumps in spring if they become crowded.
Easy Care with Moisture and Seasonal Cleanup
Plant Great Blue Lobelia in full sun to part shade with fertile, moist to wet soil. It appreciates organic matter and steady moisture, especially during establishment and bloom season. Mulch can help conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool.
Cut back old stems in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Deadheading is optional. Leaving some flowers to set seed can help the plant reseed naturally and maintain a colony over time, which is useful because Great Blue Lobelia can behave as a shorter-lived perennial in some gardens.
