The Genus Lobelia
Family Campanulaceae
This is a large genus of herbs, shrubs, and trees native to Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. A few species are native to the Coastal Southeast. A few species are occasionally cultivated in the gardens of our region.
The Campanulaceae is a large plant family that includes herbaceous annuals and perennials, shrubs and a few trees. This family ranges around the world. While species of Campanula are grown further north, balloon flower (Platycodon) is one of the few species cultivated in the Coastal Southeast.
The Campanulaceae is a large plant family that includes herbaceous annuals and perennials, shrubs and a few trees. This family ranges around the world. While species of Campanula are grown further north, balloon flower (Platycodon) is one of the few species cultivated in the Coastal Southeast.
Lobelia cardinalis
Lobelia cardinalis
cardinal flower
This is herbaceous perennial is native to the Coastal Southeast. It has a rosette of basal leaves that develops a two to three foot tall flower stalk with striking red flowers in late summer. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It grows best in moist sites in sun to part sun. It is recommended for zones 3 to 9.
Lobelia x speciosa is a complex hybrid (hybrid of L. fulgens, L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica) with flowers in colors of white, pink, red, and purple. The flowers are showy but the plant was short-lived in my upper zone 9a garden.
Plants may be found in local nurseries and are available in catalogs. Plants are propagated easily by seeds and division. Cuttings of the upright stalks may be rooted or layered in spring before flowering.
The plants I have seen in nature were in the wet organic soils of swamps and low stream banks that flooded periodically. They flower in October in upper zone 9a. All of the plants I have tried failed in the sandy soil of my north Florida garden. I suspect that they would perform better in a container of potting soil.
This is herbaceous perennial is native to the Coastal Southeast. It has a rosette of basal leaves that develops a two to three foot tall flower stalk with striking red flowers in late summer. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It grows best in moist sites in sun to part sun. It is recommended for zones 3 to 9.
Lobelia x speciosa is a complex hybrid (hybrid of L. fulgens, L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica) with flowers in colors of white, pink, red, and purple. The flowers are showy but the plant was short-lived in my upper zone 9a garden.
Plants may be found in local nurseries and are available in catalogs. Plants are propagated easily by seeds and division. Cuttings of the upright stalks may be rooted or layered in spring before flowering.
The plants I have seen in nature were in the wet organic soils of swamps and low stream banks that flooded periodically. They flower in October in upper zone 9a. All of the plants I have tried failed in the sandy soil of my north Florida garden. I suspect that they would perform better in a container of potting soil.
Lobelia cardinalis up close
Lobelia erinus
Lobelia erinus
annual lobelia
This is a South African species that has been listed as both an annual and a tender perennial. It grows as a cool season annual in the Coastal Southeast. It does not tolerate extremes of cold or heat, so it is good for a bright spot of color in spring and fall only. It is a low growing, trailing plant with flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. Grow in full sun to part shade in a moist, well-drained, fertile soil.
It is available in nurseries. Cuttings can be rooted but this plant is propagated mostly by seeds.
My plant survived a winter low in the upper 20's F without damage but the mid-20's killed flowers and damaged the newest growth. It recovered and flowered again in May until the rising summer temperatures killed it. A cultivar named 'Techno-Heat Blue' survived into early June.
This is a South African species that has been listed as both an annual and a tender perennial. It grows as a cool season annual in the Coastal Southeast. It does not tolerate extremes of cold or heat, so it is good for a bright spot of color in spring and fall only. It is a low growing, trailing plant with flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink and white. Grow in full sun to part shade in a moist, well-drained, fertile soil.
It is available in nurseries. Cuttings can be rooted but this plant is propagated mostly by seeds.
My plant survived a winter low in the upper 20's F without damage but the mid-20's killed flowers and damaged the newest growth. It recovered and flowered again in May until the rising summer temperatures killed it. A cultivar named 'Techno-Heat Blue' survived into early June.
Lobelia glandulosa
Lobelia glandulosa
Florida lobelia
This is a small herbaceous perennial to about a foot tall with white flowers in late spring. It is native from Mississippi eastward across the Coastal Southeast. In nature, it grows in sunny, moist flatwoods. Based on its natural range, it seems to be a plant for zones 7b through 10.
I have not seen plants available for purchase but it should be encouraged where it grows naturally.
My plants are naturally occurring natives. They flower in October.
This is a small herbaceous perennial to about a foot tall with white flowers in late spring. It is native from Mississippi eastward across the Coastal Southeast. In nature, it grows in sunny, moist flatwoods. Based on its natural range, it seems to be a plant for zones 7b through 10.
I have not seen plants available for purchase but it should be encouraged where it grows naturally.
My plants are naturally occurring natives. They flower in October.
Lobelia laxiflora
Lobelia laxiflora
This is an upright herbaceous perennial to about three feet tall. It was evergreen in mild winters. It bears red and yellow flowers near the stem tops in winter through spring. Flowers are colorful from a distance and strikingly colored up close. It is subject to freeze damage. It has grown well in full sun in a well-drained soil without irrigation. It is reported to be drought tolerant. Various references give the northern extent of its cold hardiness as zone 7, 8 and 9.
Plants may be found in local nurseries and are available in specialty catalogs. I saw no seeds in my garden. It is propagated easily by cuttings.
A plant in my upper zone 9a garden flowered in mid-winter and again in mid-May through June. The plant suffered some foliage and flower bud damage at 32° F. Leaves and buds were killed by temperatures in the upper 20's F. Stems died to the ground in the mid-20's F. It resprouted in mid- to late March. It showed no tendencies to be invasive in three years. My plant survived brief winter lows in the upper teens F but was killed finally by an exceptionally long, cold winter.
Plants may be found in local nurseries and are available in specialty catalogs. I saw no seeds in my garden. It is propagated easily by cuttings.
A plant in my upper zone 9a garden flowered in mid-winter and again in mid-May through June. The plant suffered some foliage and flower bud damage at 32° F. Leaves and buds were killed by temperatures in the upper 20's F. Stems died to the ground in the mid-20's F. It resprouted in mid- to late March. It showed no tendencies to be invasive in three years. My plant survived brief winter lows in the upper teens F but was killed finally by an exceptionally long, cold winter.