Blue Lobelia

Perennial herb native to Eastern N. America from Maine to S. Dakota, south to Texas and Missouri. Found growing in moist woods, stream and pond banks, and marshes.

A beautiful garden border plant, cultivation is fairly easy, Lobelia prefers light to medium moist, well drained soils and partial shade. The stems are erect, sometimes branching, flower stalks.

Growing to 3 feet high they are covered with light blue or purpleish two lipped flowers, the lower lip is divided into three pointed lobes and the upper lip into two.

The lower leaves are large, ovate, alternate, hairy, and petioled (having a leaf stalk) while the upper leaves, growing on the stalk are smaller and sessile (having no leaf stalk).

Flowers bloom from July to November. Seed capsules are formed after flowers fade and are two celled, containing many tiny brown seeds. Gather the plant tops after some of the seed capsules have formed, dry for later use.