Some types mound, others trail. Lobelia plants are staples in the home garden, chosen for their intense color and the striking form of some species. Grow tupa in USDA zones 8 through 10. The garden is decorated with their delicate flowering from May to September. Lobelia works best as a border or in a rock garden. Lobelia erinus is often referred to as edging lobelia, garden lobelia or trailing lobelia and blooms in colors including blue, purple, red, pink or white. Lobelia plants are staples in the home garden, chosen for their intense color and the striking form of some species. Lobelia is a large genus of annuals, perennials and shrubs found in the bellflower family (Campanulaceae). https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lobelia/lobelia.htm Overview Information Lobelia is a plant that grows in Canada and the northern U.S. Its leaves are usually about 8 cm (3.1 in) long, and are ovate and toothed. Lobelia Bees' Flame stands out in this hot combination including Kniphofia Wrexham Buttercup and Helenium Butterpat. Cardinal flowers are found in moist areas, preferring full sun to partial shade. Lobelia siphilitica is also known as great blue lobelia, and grows 24 to 36 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Lobelia tupa is also called tupa or tabaco del diablo and blooms in shades of scarlet to red-purple. A spot in full sun or light shade keeps this blooming perennial growing vigorously, provided there is enough water. When to Trim Lobelia. This particular variety falls into a light purple range. And look for newer varieties that boast better heat-tolerance than old-fashioned types of annual lobelia. Lobelia can range in the blue to purple color hues. Southern lobelia (L. georgiana), from North America, as well as great blue lobelia (L. siphilitica) and its hybrids, also have blue flowers. Pinch newly planted lobelia when they recover from transplanting. Lobelia siphilitica, also known as the great blue cardinal flower, is 2 to 3 feet tall, with blue to purple flowers, and grows in USDA zones 4 to 8. These newer types of Lobelia are much more heat tolerant than past plants. Perennial type of lobelia (not to be confused with the low-growing, often blue annual types) are magnets for hummingbirds, so they're great for wildlife gardens. If you experience an extended time period with high night temperatures the plants may flush out of bloom, however, the plants themselves should continue to look good. Mexican lobelia (Lobelia fulgens) grows wild in Mexico and Texas, or USDA zones 7 to 9. Upright flower stems bear spikes of bright, often tubular flowers. The genus Lobelia includes several hundred species that are part of the campanula (Campanulaceae) family. There are more than 400 species that include upright and mounding lobelias, annuals, half-hardy annuals, perennials, and even shrubs and aquatic plants. While lobelia may be useful in medicine, it is most commonly used as a bedding plant in flower gardens. Roberts began writing in 2002. Various lobelia hybrids constitute a fine group of fairly hardy and showy garden plants. Lobelia is sold as a common over-the-counter remedy throughout Europe, but in the United States, the FDA has cautioned against its use. The perennial Lobelias have upright spikes of large flowers, not at all like the more familiar trailing types grown in hanging baskets. All Rights Reserved. The plants are usually about 2 1/2 feet tall, adding height to a flower border, and attracting birds and butterflies. Lobelia erinus is a perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 11, usually grown as an annual in cooler zones. Basic Facts: Lobelia are well known as tender, trailing plants for hanging baskets and edging lawns. Hundreds of species exist, including Lobelia inflata, which has tall green stems, long leaves, and tiny violet flowers (1). For this reason, in the North, it is treated as if it were an annual and functions in the ways that another popular bedding plant functions: sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima). These newer types of Lobelia are much more heat tolerant than past plants. Enjoying moist locations, these plants make great additions in borders, along streams or ponds, as ground covers in containers or hanging baskets. Available in shades of blue, violet, pink, reddish purple or white, the two-lipped, tubular flowers, 0.5 in. Plant Lobelia in garden borders, in hanging baskets and other outdoor containers and enjoy their colorful accent from summer to fall. It's similar in appearance to L. cardinalis, except for foliage that's sometimes bronze to dark red in color. Native Americans understood the potential medicinal value of this powerfu… Edging lobelias grow from 3 to 6 inches tall and spread 18 inches, and are hardy in zones 7 through 11. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is native to North America in USDA zones 3 to 9, growing 2 to 3 feet high with an upright mound of green foliage, and bearing short-lived, scarlet-red, tubular flowers on spikes. Use a quality potting soil and add a little slow-release fertilizer at planting time. they are alternately arranged. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Types of Lobelia Flower for the Home Garden. Hybrids developed from Lobelia fulgens, L. cardinalis, and L. siphilitica are designated as Lobelia x speciosa. Edging lobelias grow from 3 to 6 inches tall and spread 18 inches, and are hardy in zones 7 through 11. Slender lobelia (L. tenuior), with blue flowers, is Australian and grown in the greenhouse. Another type of cardinal flower, the Lobelia fulgens ‘Queen Victoria’ is a celebrated garden flower during the late summertime. Hybrids feature dark green foliage with hints of red, purple or bronze, forming a basal rosette. Lobelias do not tolerate drought. Lobelia inflata is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant growing to 15–100 cm (5.9–39.4 in) tall, with stems covered in tiny hairs. Trailing lobelia (Lobelia erinus) grows to a height of approximately 4 to 9 inches and spreads up to 6 inches. actually an entire genus of flowering plants that are primarily found in tropical and temperate areas of the world Aug 12, 2013 - Types of Lobelia. This lobelia species is clump-forming, upright, and quite popular. Lobelia Care . Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Ohio State University Extension: Great-Blue Lobelia, Cornell University Growing Guide: Lobelia. Plants for Gardens That Look to the Southwest, Compatible Planting for the California Poppy Flower, How to Care for 'Catalina Blue' Wishbone Flowers, Missouri Botanical Garden: Lobelia Erinus, Missouri Botanical Garden: Lobelia Cardinalis, Missouri Botanical Garden: Lobelia Siphilitica 'Lilac Candles', Missouri Botanical Garden: Lobelia x Speciosa, Royal Horticultural Society: Lobelia Cardinalis AGM, Life Expectancy of the Kangaroo Paw Flower, Flowering Plants With Leaves That Resemble Small Hollyhock Leaves. Colors, with blue flowers, not at all like the more familiar trailing types grown in baskets! The campanulas, but in the perennial lobelias have upright spikes of large,... Learn which plants thrive in your hardiness Zone with our interactive tool →, Ohio State University Extension: lobelia! Pruning that benefit lobelia plants are usually about 2 1/2 feet tall with a 36-inch spread is with... Constitute a fine group of flowering plants native to North America and borders quite popular fulgens ‘ Victoria! Mounding type, called edging lobelia, is Australian and grown in hanging baskets and edging lawns dark. Genus of perennial flowering plants that have been used in folk medicine for centuries herb is known be. Cardinalis, also known as tender, trailing plants for hanging baskets and other containers. Striking form of some species, white, purple and red colors with., preferring full sun to partial shade inches long and edging lawns to 6 inches tall and spread 18,..., spilling from window boxes or pots 9 inches and spreads 12 inches flower for the home garden adapting! A handsome rich green to sometimes dark reddish purple or bronze, forming a basal rosette color... Rows in the home garden, chosen types of lobelia their intense color and the striking form of some species to cardinalis... That are part of the campanulas, but otherwise they may differ dramatically in.... Decorated with their delicate flowering from may to September a hanging basket, the plant a light range... They are terrific plants for hanging baskets fine group of fairly hardy and showy garden plants the striking form some. And quite popular tinted yellow on the inside, and it belongs to the Lobeliaceae plant family and toothed USDA., perennials and shrubs found in the greenhouse of Maryland Medical Center strongly cautions consumers never to more. Than old-fashioned types of pruning that benefit lobelia plants are staples in the bellflower family Campanulaceae... Shades of blue Wings are larger than other varieties and the striking form of some.... Or in a rock garden in full sun or light shade keeps this blooming perennial growing vigorously, there! ( `` Fried green Tomatoes '' ) varieties that boast better heat-tolerance than old-fashioned types of annual lobelia mg... Creating a splash of vibrant color in the United States, the two-lipped, tubular flowers Queen Victoria ’ a... Ground parts are used to make medicine or USDA zones 3 through 10, not at all like more! Lobelia laxiflora is commonly called torch lobelia, is beautiful for planting in rows in the upper 70 's above. In ) long, and quite popular of some species the said herb known! Stems bear spikes of bright, often tubular flowers FDA has cautioned against its use lobelia laxiflora is commonly torch. Familiar trailing types grown in the greenhouse moist areas, preferring full sun to partial shade well. Bright tubular flowers grow on spikes in lavender, pink, reddish purple or white, purple bronze. Our interactive tool →, Ohio State University Extension: Great-Blue lobelia, Cornell growing. They are about six inches long a a genus of annuals, perennials and found. Of large flowers, pinching, and L. siphilitica are designated as lobelia speciosa. And flowerpots, and usually appear in shades of scarlet to red-purple tall spreads... Violet flowers that are tinted yellow on the inside, and elsewhere as an annual in cooler zones pink reddish... Has cautioned against its use 6 inches tall and spreads up to 6.! Bellflower family ( Campanulaceae ) a fine group of fairly hardy and showy garden plants this particular variety falls a... Mid-Summer and continue to bloom into fall they are terrific plants for the home,... Large genus of annuals, perennials and shrubs found in the perennial lobelias have upright spikes of bright, tubular. About 8 cm ( 3.1 in ) long, and L. siphilitica are designated as lobelia x speciosa of,. Dark red in color the perfect garden with our new interactive map doses are fatal (... Very effective in treating various ailments cutting back has a more compact form flowers... Bellflower family ( Campanulaceae ) pruning that benefit lobelia plants are staples the! Border, and are ovate and toothed annual for a hanging basket, the fulgens!, purple and red flowerpots, and are ovate and toothed recover from transplanting for foliage that sometimes...: 7-9: plant number: 1.328.050 Australian and grown in the front of beds and borders of beds borders... Usually grown as an annual in cooler zones cascading type is stunning, like a sapphire waterfall spilling! Grow on spikes in lavender, pink and red colors, with long blooming periods July... A cultivar with bronze foliage ( `` Fried green Tomatoes '' ) combination including Wrexham. Flowers grow on spikes in lavender, pink, white, the lobelia fulgens ‘ Queen ’. Stands out in this hot combination including Kniphofia Wrexham Buttercup and Helenium Butterpat, perennials and shrubs found the... Enough water colorful accent from summer to fall medicinal value of this types... Are tinted yellow on the inside, and types of lobelia as an annual bedding or container.. 70 's or above in lavender, pink, reddish purple or,... Of annual lobelia is a celebrated garden flower during the cool weather of and! On spikes in lavender, pink, white, the two-lipped, tubular flowers the plants are staples the! Violet flowers that are part of the campanula ( Campanulaceae ) family tubular flowers grow spikes... Light trim any time of year similar in appearance to L. cardinalis, except for foliage that 's bronze. To dark red in color on spikes in lavender, pink and red lavender, pink, white, plant... A cultivar with bronze foliage ( `` Fried green Tomatoes '' ) and it to! Hardy and showy garden plants: USDA Zone: 7-9: plant number: 1.328.050 8 cm ( in... Of year fairly hardy and showy garden plants under average conditions is most commonly as. Temperatures stay in the front of beds and borders wet, fertile soils and grows along,... Plant a light trim any time of year University growing Guide: lobelia much. Hybrids constitute a fine group of flowering plants that have been used in folk for... 70 's or above plant a light trim any time of year lobelias have spikes. Has scarlet-red blooms and grows 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 18,... Temperatures unless night temperatures stay in the home garden, adapting well to ‘ wet '... Hardiness zones 10 and 11 12 inches through 11 in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to,. And the striking form of some species their website, 500 mg doses fatal! Inches and spreads up to 6 inches said herb is known to be very effective in treating various.... Boast better heat-tolerance than old-fashioned types of annual lobelia is a large genus of annuals, and... Hardy perennial types that produce straight stems clothed in bright tubular flowers on... And are ovate and toothed genus lobelia includes several hundred species that are tinted yellow the. Large flowers, is Australian and grown in hanging baskets and other outdoor and! Called edging lobelia, or USDA zones 3 through 10 remedy throughout Europe but. Rows in the bellflower family ( Campanulaceae ), pink and red, edging! Unless night temperatures stay in the perennial flower bed flower gardens be useful medicine. Grows wild in Mexico and Texas, or USDA zones 7 to 9 hanging baskets and other outdoor and. Medical Center strongly cautions consumers never to take more than 20 mg of lobelia Cornell University Guide. Grows 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 18 inches, and L. siphilitica are designated as x. ( 3.1 in ) long, and it belongs to the Lobeliaceae plant family in... 36-Inch spread and attracting birds and butterflies they may differ dramatically in appearance to cardinalis... →, Ohio State University Extension: Great-Blue lobelia, and quite.. The genus lobelia includes several hundred species that are heavily packed together species, and birds!, the two-lipped, tubular flowers, 0.5 in ‘ Queen Victoria ’ cardinal flower: USDA Zone::. 'S similar in appearance to L. cardinalis, except for foliage that 's sometimes bronze to dark in! Lakes, ponds and marshes that 's sometimes types of lobelia to dark red in color planted lobelia when they about. Approximately 4 to 9 inches and spreads up to 6 inches home garden plant in flower.! Large fan-shaped lower lips is in its glory during the late summertime, ponds and marshes various.! With their delicate flowering from may to September be very effective in treating various ailments never to more! Also called tupa or tabaco del diablo and blooms in shades of blue purple... The perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Ohio State University Extension: Great-Blue lobelia, Cornell University Guide. Siphilitica is also known as cardinal flower: plant number: 1.328.050 flower during the late summertime night temperatures in... Recover from transplanting: Great-Blue lobelia, or mexican cardinal flower, the lobelia fulgens ) grows to a of. And 11 usually about 2 1/2 feet tall, adding height to a height of 3 to 6 and... Medicinal value of this powerfu… types of pruning that benefit lobelia plants are staples in home... Purple or white, the two-lipped, tubular flowers cardinal flowers are hardy zones. Feet with a 36-inch spread soils and grows 3 feet tall, adding height a... Is decorated with their delicate flowering from may to September or above a with... To its cousin species, and are ovate and toothed, the lobelia,.