The Perennial Lobelia

For That Damp and Shady Space That Has No Fall Color

In my travels as a camper in Vermont, there was trip a where experienced usually older campers, also know as ‘trippers’ were ‘invited’ to go on Long Trip. Each year the route of the trip was different depending on the weather and strengths of campers involved.

In 1975, I was invited. The destination was the Adirondacks in New York State. The canoeing part of the trip would start on Long Lake and involved paddling 5 lakes and ponds with a lot of ‘puddle jumping’.

Long Lake

Back then the lakes were free of people and pollutants. There were just a few motor craft on the lakes and no litter. Cottages on the lake had plenty of privacy with lots of boulders surrounding the house and large decks or docks over the water.

‘Puddle jumping’ was the task of paddling to the end of a lake then carrying or ‘portaging’ your canoe to the next lake.

We had 4 portages in three days. Our canoes were built in the early 40’s. The ribs and planking inside the boat were made of heavy white cedar. They were really really heavy!

As if carrying a wooden canoe wasn’t enough, when you finally reached the next lake you had to put down your canoe and go back for your pack and supplies.

The longest portage was one and a half miles long between Long Lake and Tupper Lake. On small Tupper Lake we paddled through endless lily pads. Quietly they brushed against the hull. We were careful to not tip over the boat with all the gear in it as we leaned way over the gunwale to smell the blossoms. It was a fairy land.

Tupper Lake

Along the way we had to pass along a swift running narrow section of the Raquette River. The narrow section of the river ran colder than the land so a thick mist rose up from the water.

We saw kayakers catching eddys and speed ferry across small ledges. It was pretty impressive to us lake paddlers. Someone in the paddlers’ group said they were practicing for the 1976 Olympics. As I trudged along, laden down with cooking supplies, I notice a beautiful red flower beside the trail. In the midst of wet cloudy conditions, it was a startling surprise. I asked our 60 year old, eccentric counselor what it was, and she replied, “That’s a cardinal flower, it’s on the conservation list.” Little did I know, that flower would stay in my mind’s eye for 20 years and that I would covet it as a gardener and landscaper.

I digress from the purpose of the blog, I know. My point is …. now you don’ t have to portage a canoe in the Adirondacks to find lobelia!

Lobelia Characteristics

Lobelia is also called the Cardinal flower. This is not to be confused with many annuals also named lobelia. It is striking red or blue and now has been hybridized with a pink, purple and white color. It likes damp conditions and shade.

It blooms from the bottom of its spike upward as it gets taller so you get color right as the stalk appears. The bloom is from summer through fall, and is delightful to have as other perennial blooms faded.

The plant has a clumping growth habit that profusely reseeds. A spike bloom about 4’ tall comes from this base of leaves. The leaves are a green/bronze color. You can get lobelia with deep red foliage too.

It’s origins are from North and South America, Asia and Africa. It is a huge attractor for humming birds and butterflies. It is unique that one flower can be a native pollinator in all these places.

It is toxic to humans and pets if taken in large doses, but I have never heard of it being an issue. It has it’s positive medicinal side, which includes boosted immunity, better cardiovascular health, reduced pain perception, increased longevity,, improved sleep and faster would healing.

Nurseries should have these a plenty in their stock this time of year. I just made a whole bed of them in my woods. To winterize them, do nothing. Don’t cut them back despite some bent stalks. Insects love all parts of the plant throughout the winter for feeding.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.