Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) features vibrant blue tubular flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall, offering a late-season nectar source when many other plants have stopped blooming. This native perennial is highly adaptable to various garden environments, thriving in full sun, part shade, or full shade light conditions, and challenging soil conditions, ranging from moist to wet areas with loam, clay, or sandy soil where few other plants thrive.
Key Benefits:
- Perennial Beauty: Returns each year with minimal care, offering consistent beauty and ecological benefits.
- Low Maintenance: Requires less water once established and thrives without the need for chemical treatments, promoting a sustainable garden.
- Deer Resistant: Once established, this hardy plant is resilient to deer browsing, ensuring it remains a standout feature in your garden.
- Eco-Friendly: Grown non-GMO and free of harmful neonicotinoids, supporting a healthy environment for pollinators and other wildlife.
- Versatile Quantities: Available in sets of three, six, or 12 plants to fit any garden size and layout.
Why Choose Great Blue Lobelia?
Great Blue Lobelia not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your garden with its stunning blue blooms but also plays a crucial role in supporting local wildlife. Its adaptability to various light conditions makes it a versatile choice for expanding your wildlife garden, creating a lush, dynamic landscape.
Planting Tips:
- Location: Choose a spot in full sun, part shade, or full shade with wet to moist soil.
- Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish deep roots. Once established, reduce watering frequency.
- Maintenance: Minimal care required. There's no need to deadhead the flowers, as allowing them to go to seed provides a valuable food source for birds. Leaving the stems standing in the fall offers overwintering sites for beneficial insects. If desired, cut back the stems in late spring after pollinators have emerged.
For more information on planting, view our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide and other planting tips in the Garden for Wildlife Learning Center.
Enhance your garden with Great Blue Lobelia and create a thriving, vibrant haven for wildlife. Enjoy the striking beauty and ecological benefits this unique native plant brings to your landscape.