Ontario Lobelia
(Lobelia kalmii)
Ontario Lobelia (Lobelia kalmii)
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aarongunnar
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Image By:
aarongunnar
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CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: aarongunnar | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: aarongunnar | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2017-09-21T11:41:14-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Lobelia kalmii, commonly known as Ontario Lobelia or Kalm’s Lobelia, is a perennial herb that is deciduous or semi-deciduous depending on the climate. It is native to wetland habitats including bogs, fens, marshes, and wet meadows in the Northern and Eastern United States, as well as parts of Canada. This species typically grows 10 to 40 centimeters tall and features striking blue flowers with a white center that bloom from July to September, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Ontario Lobelia is valued for its vibrant blue flowers and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it suitable for rain gardens, water features, and naturalized wetland plantings. It is also used to add color to rock gardens and borders. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate partial shade and requires medium amounts of water with well-drained soils. It is a low-maintenance plant, but it can be susceptible to root rot if drainage is poor. Gardeners should be aware that while it is not aggressive, it can self-seed and spread in optimal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Ontario Lobelia is valued for its vibrant blue flowers and its ability to thrive in wet conditions, making it suitable for rain gardens, water features, and naturalized wetland plantings. It is also used to add color to rock gardens and borders. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate partial shade and requires medium amounts of water with well-drained soils. It is a low-maintenance plant, but it can be susceptible to root rot if drainage is poor. Gardeners should be aware that while it is not aggressive, it can self-seed and spread in optimal conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-4 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Blue
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Salt Tolerant, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetland habitats including bogs, fens, marshes, and wet meadows
Other Names
Common Names: Kalm’s Lobelia, Brook Lobelia, Gräslobelia
Scientific Names: , Lobelia kalmii, Lobelia strictiflora, Lobelia kalmii f. leucantha, Lobelia kalmii var. strictiflora, Lobelia kalmii f. kalmii, Lobelia kalmii var. capillaris, Lobelia kalmii var. edithae, Dortmanna kalmii, Dortmannia kalmii
GBIF Accepted Name: Lobelia kalmii L.