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For gardens in the Appalachian Mountains, Lobelia siphilitica is a staple. This species is hardy, great for areas in 6+ hours of sun or dappled shade all day, and tolerates soils that are wet to average. Great Blue Lobelia can reseed once established, helping to fill in woodland areas, but is not considered aggressive. It has a clumping root habit and is easy to transplant, needing only 2-3 feet of space at most, and growing 3 to 4 feet tall. The flowers are a vibrant blue on tall stalks, ranging from sky blue to a rich almost indigo purple. Mature plants can produce numerous shoots in bloom up to 6 weeks or more, typically in August to October. Great Blue Lobelia also tolerates some periods of dry conditions once established, so can work well in shadier rain gardens or containers.
For certain pollinators, Lobelia siphilitica, is an attractive plant, with tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and moths. Bumblebees are also frequent visitors, and the hollow stems can be left for stem-nesting bees. Deer and rabbits may occasionally browse on Great Blue Lobelia, but generally avoid Lobelia species due to mild toxicity.
Pollinators: bumblebees, digger bees, small carpenter bees, sweat bees, yellow-faced bees, butterflies, hawkmoths, moths, flower flies, beetles
Host Plant for Butterflies/Moths: 6+ species of moths in our region, including the Pink-washed Looper Moth (Enigmogramma basigera)
Wildlife Value: Hummingbirds, Songbirds, Thrushes, Wood Warblers, shelter
Deer Resistance: Very Good
Native Region: Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont
Seed Origin: Ashe County, NC
Ecoregion: 66 - Blue Ridge
Light Recommendation: Full Sun, Part Sun, Dappled Shade
Soil Moisture Recommendation: Medium-wet, Moist, Medium
USDA Zones: 3-9
States found in our region: AL, DE, GA, KY, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV
Other states found: AR, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OH, OK, RI, SD, TX, VT, WI, WY
