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(Palmerella debilis)
Dunn’s Lobelia (Palmerella debilis)
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George Williams
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
George Williams
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: George Williams | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: George Williams | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-07-23T09:43:42-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Palmerella debilis, commonly known as Dunn’s Lobelia, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the understory of oak woodlands, chaparral, and mixed evergreen forests in California and Northwestern Mexico. It typically grows to a height of 0.3-2 feet (0.09-0.6 meters) and spreads 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) wide. The plant features delicate, tubular purple flowers that bloom in late summer to fall, adding a splash of color to the garden. The foliage is not particularly notable, but the flowers are quite showy and attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies.
Dunn’s Lobelia is valued for its vibrant flowers and ability to thrive in moist, shaded conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and riparian plantings. It prefers consistently moist soil with good drainage and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade, although it flourishes best in dappled sunlight. While it requires regular watering, especially in dry conditions, it is relatively low maintenance once established. Gardeners should be aware that it may go dormant in the summer if conditions are too dry.CC BY-SA 4.0
Dunn’s Lobelia is valued for its vibrant flowers and ability to thrive in moist, shaded conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and riparian plantings. It prefers consistently moist soil with good drainage and can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade, although it flourishes best in dappled sunlight. While it requires regular watering, especially in dry conditions, it is relatively low maintenance once established. Gardeners should be aware that it may go dormant in the summer if conditions are too dry.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.3-1.5 feet
- Width: 1.5-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Fall, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: High
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Understory of oak woodlands, chaparral, and mixed evergreen forests
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Lobelia dunnii, Palmerella debilis, Laurentia debilis,
GBIF Accepted Name: Palmerella debilis A.Gray