Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Plant Names
Lobelia siphilitica
Great Blue Lobelia
Lobélie bleue
Synonyms
blue cardinal flower
great lobelia
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Blue
Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Spreads by rhizome
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates foot traffic around the plant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates foot traffic around the plant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Boreal Plains
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Lobelia siphilitica
- Epargyreus clarus (Silver Spotted Skipper)
Specialized Bees Supported by Lobelia siphilitica
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Glyceria canadensis
Canada Mannagrass
Glycérie du Canada - Helenium autumnale
Common Sneezeweed
Hélénie automnale - Hibiscus moscheutos
Swamp Rose-mallow
Ketmie des marais - Impatiens capensis
Spotted Jewelweed
Impatiente du Cap - Physostegia virginiana
Obedient Plant
Physostégie de Virginie
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
- Delphinium (Delphinium)
- Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
- Iris (Iris Cultivars)
- Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow by February
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: October
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting:
- Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Remove non-seed material
- Harvesting video: Watch here
Toxicity Notes
Toxic to mammals if ingested.