Rain Garden Plants: Great Blue Lobelia

Spikes of brilliant blue flowers have a long bloom period. Individual flowers have three pointed lobes below and two above. Alternate ovate-shaped leaves can be 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. Leaf margins are serrated. Lower leaves clasp the stem. Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Height: 24 to 36 inches
Bloom color: Blue
Bloom time: August to October
Hardiness zone: 3 to 9
Salt tolerance: Tolerant
Spreading habit: Self-seeds and forms colonies; clump-forming

Photo by Jodi Sulpizio, Penn State Extension

Photo by Jodi Sulpizio, Penn State Extension

Site Conditions

Sun: Sun/partial shade
Soil: Clay, loam sand; not drought-tolerant; keep soil moist
Hydrologic zones: Moist; inundation-tolerant

Photo by Andy Yencha, Penn State Extension

Photo by Ruth Benner, Penn State Extension

Photo by Ruth Benner, Penn State Extension

Sources

Wetland Wildflowers of Illinois, Illinois Wildflowers website

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder

Van Berkum Nursery

Prepared by Jessica Chou, Jodi Sulpizio, and Constance Schmotzer.