Perennial Lobelia Fan Blue. Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica also called blue cardinal flower is another native perennial wildflower that bears long-lasting bright blue flowers. Blue lobelia grows as a short-lived perennial often not surviving for more than two or three years so allowing the flowers to set seeds in late summer encourages reseeding for replacement plants.
It grows at a fast rate and under ideal. In botanical terms the Fan Blue Lobelia belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family and the genus Lonicera hence its scientific or botanical name Lobelia X Speciosa Fan Blue low-BEE-lee-uh spee-see-OH-suh. Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica also called blue cardinal flower is another native perennial wildflower that bears long-lasting bright blue flowers.
It produces rather tall strictly upright fleshy stems of about 60-70 cm atop which appear erect racemes composed of tubular 2-lipped deep violet blue flowers.
The foliage is a handsome rich green to sometimes dark reddish purple. Best in part shade in a moist or wet soil. They are terrific plants for the boggy garden adapting well to wet feet but growing equally well under average conditions. Cardinal Flower Hybrid Lobelia.