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

Site Conditions

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

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.