Lobelias

Lobelia cardinalis, the cardinal flower, is our first species of the day. This plant is a striking North American perennial with bright red flowers. The tubular flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers are arranged in a terminal spike above the lance to elliptical shaped leaves. This plant does best in moist, well drained sites such as along stream banks and lakeshores. The specimen below was found in a bog underneath a wooden footpath. Consider this late summer bloomer for your fall garden.

The great blue lobelia - Lobelia siphilitica - is another late summer bloomer. When planted beside the cardinal flower, the garden really pops with blue and red! The great blue lobelia does well in similar conditions of constant moisture and well draining soil. This species is also crucial for pollinators as it blooms late in the season when many plants do not offer nectar at this time. Both perennials can be propagated by seed or divisions, the later method is often the most successful.

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