Lobelia siphilitica Alba

The Lobelia siphilitaca 'Alba' or White Lobelia is a charming, underused perennial in gardens. It has upright stems carrying large leaves at their base and tall flower spikes, from summer to early autumn, composed of pure white flowers. It will be perfect for adding beauty to your woodland areas or pond edges.

The White Lobelia is a tall, erect perennial native to North America. It has a fast growth rate and can reach a height of 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35in) with a spread of 30 cm (12in) per stem. Its leaves are dark green, lanceolate in shape, and alternate along the stem. The leaves are large at the base of the stem and become smaller towards the floral spike, similar to the leaves of foxgloves. During the months of August to October, floral spikes at the top of the stems will reveal progressively blooming flowers along the spikes. Its pure white flowers have a trumpet-shaped form, similar to Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), ending in two lobed lips curving outward.

The White Lobelia is hardy (-20°C (-4°F). Provide a relatively spacious area for the plant to grow and charm you with its vigor. It thrives in heavy, ordinary, moist to wet soils and tolerates short periods of root submersion.

It enjoys sunny exposures with moist soil, as well as shaded exposures. It is ideal in water gardens, pond edge borders, and woodland areas. It will be enhanced in a garden when planted alongside phlox, ornamental grasses, and astilbes.