Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Lobelia speciosa 'Starship Blue'
Starship Blue Cardinal Flower
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Height
- 18 to 24 inches
- Width
- 12 to 18 inches
- Flower color
- Blue to violet
- Foliage color
- Green
- Bloom time
- Summer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular watering
- Maintenance
- Low; remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Hummingbirds, butterflies
About this plant
Lobelia speciosa 'Starship Blue' is a captivating perennial that shines from mid-summer to early fall, typically from July to September. It features tall, slender spikes adorned with dense clusters of vibrant blue to violet flowers, each with a delicate, tubular shape and star-like flare. The lush, green foliage serves as a rich backdrop, making the vivid blooms stand out beautifully.
Native to southern Africa, Lobelia speciosa has been cultivated for its striking color and robust flowering performance. 'Starship Blue' was specifically selected for its elegant appearance and prolific blooms, adding vertical interest and a burst of color to garden beds, borders, or containers.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
