Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
The tall bluish-purple flower spikes of Blue Lobelia are not only striking, but also attract many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is the host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) and it is recommended as a preferred mid-season pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Blue Lobelia may be a short-lived perennial, but if you are lucky, it will reseed itself. Other mammals tend to leave this plant alone because it produces several toxic alkaloids.
Photo credit: John Blair
The tall bluish-purple flower spikes of Blue Lobelia are not only striking, but also attract many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is the host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) and it is recommended as a preferred mid-season pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Blue Lobelia may be a short-lived perennial, but if you are lucky, it will reseed itself. Other mammals tend to leave this plant alone because it produces several toxic alkaloids.
Photo credit: John Blair
The tall bluish-purple flower spikes of Blue Lobelia are not only striking, but also attract many bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is the host plant to 6 species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org) and it is recommended as a preferred mid-season pollinator plant by the Xerces Society (Xerces.org). Blue Lobelia may be a short-lived perennial, but if you are lucky, it will reseed itself. Other mammals tend to leave this plant alone because it produces several toxic alkaloids.
Photo credit: John Blair
Life Cycle: Short-Lived Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial shade
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium
Height: 3 feet
Plant Spacing: 12-18 inches
Bloom Time: July - October
Bloom Color: Bluish-purple
Advantages: Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant, Great landscaping plant
Host Plant: 6 species of butterflies and moths use Lobelia as a caterpillar host plant in my area (nwf.org)
Complementary Plants: Swamp Milkweed, Common Ironweed, White Turtlehead, Moutainmint
