Plants in genus lobelia
Lobelia siphilitica
Lobelia siphilitica, commonly known as the great lobelia, is a striking perennial with tall stalks of lavender-blue flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall. It thrives in moist to wet soils and can tolerate short droughts, making it ideal for rain gardens. Native to eastern and central North America, this plant can grow up to 4 feet tall and attracts bumblebees for pollination. Its leaves range from elliptical to lance-like, and it forms a winter rosette. Historically, it was used in traditional medicine for respiratory and muscle disorders.
Lobelia cardinalis
Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as cardinal flower, is a striking marsh plant native to North America. It is renowned for its vibrant red tubular flowers that bloom from late summer to fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. This perennial thrives in wet, acidic soils and can grow up to 4-5 feet tall. Its leaves change color depending on whether they are submerged or emersed, adding visual interest to water gardens. The plant is easy to care for and can be propagated by cuttings or seeds, though it is toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini Platinum'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini Platinum' is an aquatic plant with small, silver-white foliage and lance-shaped leaves in a rosette pattern. It grows to a height of 5-8 cm and requires moderate lighting and a nutrient-rich substrate, providing shelter for aquatic inhabitants.
Lobelia erinus 'Cambridge Blue'
Lobelia erinus 'Cambridge Blue' is a charming plant with soft, light blue flowers that bloom from spring to fall. In mild climates, it can even grow and bloom during the winter. This plant may reseed itself under ideal conditions, making it a delightful addition to garden beds and borders.
Lobelia erinus 'Crystal Palace'
Lobelia erinus 'Crystal Palace' is a compact plant known for its rich, dark blue flowers and bronze-tipped leaves. It blooms from spring to frost and can even flower during winter in mild climates. This plant is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, highlighting its ornamental value and resilience.
Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Mini' is a dwarf version of the native North American plant, known for its evergreen leaves with purple undersides. It grows in marshy conditions and produces scarlet flowers above water. This plant is suitable for outdoor ponds and aquariums, thriving in low to medium lighting.
Lobelia chinensis
Lobelia chinensis is a small perennial herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, known for its groundcover growth and miniature pink flowers. It attracts hummingbirds and performs well in both moist and dry soils. This plant is native to China and is considered mildly toxic, with potential adverse effects.
Lobelia cardinalis 'Perry's White'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Perry's White' is a white form of the species with a light pink throat, known for its vigorous growth. Found in North Carolina, this plant is a striking addition to gardens seeking native plants with unique blooms. Its ability to attract pollinators makes it a valuable choice for enhancing garden biodiversity.
Lobelia 'Pink Elephant'
Lobelia 'Pink Elephant' is a striking hybrid known for its bright pink flowers and thick stem, reaching up to 7 feet tall. This plant is a standout in any garden, attracting butterflies and adding vertical interest with its impressive height.
Lobelia cardinalis 'Gladys Lindley'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Gladys Lindley' is a pure white form of the native cardinal flower, featuring light green rosettes and 30-inch stalks of white flowers in summer. This perennial is native to North America and thrives in rain gardens and shaded areas. Its striking white blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Lobelia 'La Fresco'
Lobelia 'La Fresco' is a hybrid of L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica, known for its dusty muted plum flowers. Blooming in mid-summer for 1-2 months, this plant adds a subtle yet striking color to gardens. It is suitable for both sun and light shade, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
Lobelia cardinalis 'Fan Scarlet'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Fan Scarlet' is a compact, upright perennial known for its striking bronze foliage and vivid scarlet flowers. It blooms from midsummer to fall, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 and is both cold-hardy and heat-tolerant. It forms clumps 8 to 10 inches wide and thrives in full sun, tolerating moist and boggy conditions.
Lobelia laxiflora 'Candy Corn'
Lobelia laxiflora 'Candy Corn' is a striking perennial native to Northern Mexico, known for its bright orange tubular flowers with yellow tips. It can grow up to 5 feet tall, forming clumps with dark green leaves. This plant is a favorite among hummingbirds and thrives in dry, open woodlands.
Lobelia cardinalis 'Gigantea'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Gigantea' is a North American native plant that thrives along waterways. It features dark-green leaves with purple undersides and produces scarlet flowers above the water surface. This plant can grow up to 12 inches tall and prefers medium light and a pH of 6-7.5.
Lobelia angulata
Lobelia angulata is a unique groundcover plant native to New Zealand, known for its zig-zag black stems and tiny round leaves. It produces white, lobelia-like flowers from late spring to early summer, making it a charming addition to rock gardens and wet areas. This plant has proven its resilience by thriving in Cincinnati for over eight years.
Lobelia speciosa 'Fan Scarlet'
Lobelia speciosa 'Fan Scarlet' is a hybrid cardinal flower known for its striking scarlet red blooms and purple stalks. This plant flowers from late summer through fall, providing a vibrant display in gardens. The new foliage often has a purple cast, adding to its visual appeal. 'Fan Scarlet' is a butterfly-attracting plant that thrives in both sun and shade, making it versatile for various garden settings. Its ability to withstand wet conditions makes it suitable for rain gardens. This plant is a beautiful addition to any garden, offering a splash of color and ecological benefits.
Lobelia 'Grape Kneehi'
Lobelia 'Grape Kneehi' is a compact hybrid known for its rich purple flowers that bloom in late July to early August. This 2-foot tall cardinal flower performs best in moist to damp soils, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens or areas with consistent moisture. Its vibrant blooms attract butterflies, adding life and color to any garden setting. This plant is a hybrid of L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica, combining the best traits of both species.
Lobelia erinus 'Laguna White'
Lobelia erinus 'Laguna White' is a fast-growing plant with prolific white, 3-lobed tubular flowers that attract butterflies and pollinators. It has a mounded, cascading nature and is perennial in zones 9-11, but annual in zones 3-8. This plant is also heat tolerant.
Lobelia 'Dark Crusader'
Lobelia 'Dark Crusader' is a striking perennial with very hairy, dark reddish-purple foliage and ruby red flowers that bloom in late summer. This plant reaches a height of 30 inches and thrives in moist sites, making it a great choice for rain gardens. Its unique coloration and texture attract butterflies, adding life and movement to any garden setting.
Lobelia 'Cotton Candy'
Lobelia 'Cotton Candy' is a cardinal flower with delicate cotton candy-pink blooms introduced by Thurman Maness. It features a flat rosette that expands during summer, culminating in a 2-foot tall flower spike. This plant is ideal for attracting butterflies and thrives in sun to part sun conditions.
Lobelia siphilitica 'White Candles'
Lobelia siphilitica 'White Candles' is a compact plant reaching 18 inches in height, known for its pure white flowers in midsummer. It tolerates moist to typical garden conditions and is ideal for adding a touch of elegance to garden beds.
Lobelia speciosa 'Complexion'
Lobelia speciosa 'Complexion' is a perennial with pale pink flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. It thrives in moist conditions and is best suited for rain gardens. This plant attracts butterflies and adds a soft touch to garden borders.
Lobelia speciosa 'Compliment Blue'
Lobelia speciosa 'Compliment Blue' is a purple-flowered member of the tetraploid hybrid cardinal flowers, developed by Germany's Benary seed company. It features rich bluish-purple flowers on 3-foot tall stalks, attracting hummingbirds to the garden. This plant thrives in sun to light shade and is a vibrant addition to rain gardens and perennial borders.
Lobelia 'Tania'
Lobelia 'Tania' is a hybrid plant with vivid pinkish-purple flowers that resemble petunias, complemented by dark purple stems and glossy green leaves. This plant is a standout in gardens, attracting butterflies and thriving in both sun and light shade.
Lobelia 'Royal Fuchsia'
Lobelia 'Royal Fuchsia' is a hybrid plant known for its fluorescent blue-pinky-fuchsia flowers that top 3-foot tall stems in mid-summer. This plant attracts butterflies and is a vibrant addition to gardens with its striking floral display. It thrives in sun to part sun and is a popular choice for rain gardens and perennial borders.
Lobelia 'Ruby Slippers'
Lobelia 'Ruby Slippers' is a striking perennial with velvety ruby-colored flowers that bloom from late summer into early fall. This plant grows from basal rosettes, producing flower stems that can reach up to 3 feet tall. It is known for attracting butterflies and thrives in both sun and light shade, making it versatile for various garden settings. Ideal for rain gardens, it adds a splash of color and texture to any landscape.
Lobelia speciosa
Lobelia speciosa is a vigorous perennial with medium bluish-pink flowers and hairy foliage. It forms a rosette through winter and late spring, with flower spikes reaching up to 36 inches by midsummer. The plant thrives in moist garden areas and blooms from summer until frost, attracting butterflies.