Lobelia siphilitica, Great Blue Lobelia

Lobelia siphilitica, Great Blue Lobelia, is a short-lived, but readily self-seeding perennial that can be found in moist to wet prairie, savanna and lakeshore settings throughout most of Minnesota. Blue Lobelia will lay low until summer, when it will send up its flowering stalk and begin to bloom from the bottom up. It tolerates wet clay well, has few to no pests, deer do not prefer it, and it works well with other plants that enjoy moist soils. Consider it for rain gardens or damp meadows, ditches, and anywhere else a bit of moisture collects.

Bloom: blue-lavender color, July to September

Height: 1 to 4 feet, but most often 2 to 3 feet in a garden setting.

Conditions: sun to pt shade, wet to medium soils (in full sun, more moisture needed)