Mt Cuba Center
Morning sunrise illuminates the round garden at Mt. Cuba Center.
Explore the Gardens Virtual Tour Virtual Tour
HOURS

Gardens and trails are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am-6 pm. Plan your visit today!

An ecological gardening certificate student completes a Native Plants of Fall exam in Mt. Cuba Center's naturalistic gardens.
Ecological Gardening Certificate Learn More Learn More
Program Guide

Classes offered year-round. Learn to garden in harmony with nature, take an art or wellness class, and more!

Carex barrattii
Latest Trial: Carex for the Mid-Atlantic Region Learn More Learn More
Trial Garden

Mt. Cuba Center evaluates native plants and related cultivars for horticultural and ecological value.

Mt. Cuba Center's natural lands pictured at sunset.
Protecting Natural Lands Learn More Learn More
Ecological Land Management

Mt. Cuba conserves and stewards more than 1,000 acres including meadows, forests, streams and riparian corridors.

Two guests walk down the West Slope path in spring at Mt. Cuba Center.
Gift a Membership Gift Guide Gift Guide
MEMBERSHIP

Enjoy unlimited general admission, member discounts, guest passes, and more!

close
Mt Cuba Center
Back to list

Lobelia siphilitica

Native Plants

Great Blue Lobelia

3 Photos


Summary

This native perennial heralds the end of summer. Its showy, blue flowers, borne on a 1-3’ tall stems, are a must for the naturalized garden. Great blue lobelia flourishes in moist soil with filtered shade but will adapt to drier conditions with more shade. This herbaceous plant is easy to grow from seed and frequently self-sows. Lanceolate serrated leaves alternate along the stem, culminating into tiny bracts amidst the bell shaped blooms. Lobelia siphilitica is tolerant of acid to neutral conditions. Grow great blue lobelia with Eurybia divaricata, Chelone obliqua, and Eutrochium fistulosum as they enjoy the same cultural conditions and will provide varying heights in the perennial border.


More Details

  • Plant Type
    perennial 
  • Sun/Shade Conditions
    filtered-shade, partial-shade 
  • Foliage Character
    deciduous 
  • Soil Moisture
    average, dry, moist, wet 
  • Flowering Period
    early-fall, late-summer
  • Soil PH
    acidic, adaptable 
  • Flower Color
    blue, purple 
  • Summer Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fall Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fruit/Seed Color
    green, tan