Gardening Flowers Perennials Lobelia By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 29, 2019 Trending Videos Close this video player Lobelia Overview Description Colorful lobelias are a wonderful choice for landscaping around ponds and streams -- anywhere the soil is consistently moist. In fact, lobelia even loves downright wet conditions, making it a top choice for bog gardens.Perennial type of lobelia (not to be confused with the low-growing, often blue annual types) are magnets for hummingbirds, so they're great for wildlife gardens. The foliage is a handsome rich green to sometimes dark reddish purple. The plant produces striking spikes of flowers in all shades of red, pink, blue, and white. Lobelia needs humus-rich soil. Mulch with a biodegradable material, such as wood bark or chopped leaves, to add humus to the soil. Genus Name Lobelia Common Name Lobelia Plant Type Perennial Light Part Sun, Sun Height 1 to 3 feet Width 1 to 3 feet Flower Color Blue, Pink, Red, White Foliage Color Purple/Burgundy Season Features Colorful Fall Foliage, Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Attracts Birds, Cut Flowers, Good for Containers Zones 10, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Division, Seed, Stem Cuttings More varieties for Lobelia Cardinal flower Lobelia cardinalis has upright 3-foot stems clothed with 3- to 4-inch-long, lance-shape dark green leaves. Brilliant red flowers are borne in loose spires. Zones 2-8 'Fan Salmon' lobelia Lobelia 'Fan Salmon' bears warm salmon-pink flowers with contrasting bronze foliage. It grows 2 feet tall. Zones 4-8 'Fan Scarlet' lobelia Lobelia 'Fan Scarlet' is a stunning selection with bronze foliage and scarlet-red flowers. It grows 2 feet tall. Zones 4-8 Plant Lobelia with The Best Easy-Care Perennial Flowers Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit