Lobelia

More Information About Lobelia

Lobelia is a genus in the campanula family comprising almost 400 species that are distributed worldwide. Some Lobelia species are great native plants for both woodland gardens and full sun borders.

Lobelia prefers damp soils and in the wild is often seen growing in boggy places like swamps. The flowering stalks of Lobelia arise from flat green winter rosettes and provide rich jewel tones of red, pink, blue and more. Lobelia flowers generally begin forming in midsummer on tall stalks and may last into the early fall. Be sure not to cover your Lobelia rosettes with mulch in winter. Hummingbirds and butterflies love Lobelia flowers, particularly the red ones.It is a tough, low maintenance plant which makes it perfect for rain gardens.

According to the Victorian practice of floriography or 'language of flowers', sending a floral arrangement of lobelia was a sign of malevolence or ill will. Perhaps that was tied to one of the traditional herbal uses of lobelia which was to induce vomiting. Whether you have ill will or good will, when you're ready to buy lobelia (cardinal flower) for your perennial garden, we hope you'll check out our online offering of lobelia for sale.