Great Blue Lobelia - PollinateHV Local Ecotype
Lobelia Siphlitica
Certified Organic
An easy-to-grow native plant with spires of beautiful purple blooms, Great Blue Lobelia is a long-blooming source of nectar in the summer and fall. It’s known to support at least three native Hudson Valley bumblebees whose populations are threatened or declining. It thrives in moist (but not sodden) soils—as well as partial shade—making it a great native plant for many dappled-light gardens around homes, under trees, or in dense neighborhoods.
This local ecotype seed is of Hudson Valley wild origin and has been scaled for production on our farm in Accord, NY.
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Growing instructions
Product Details
| Days to Maturity | 160 |
|---|---|
| Days to Germination | 10 - 30 days |
| Height at Maturiry | 30-36 inches |
| Hardiness Zone Range | Zones 4-9 |
| Sun Conditions | Full Sun to Light Shade |
| Planting Depth | Barely Cover |
| Row Spacing | 18-24 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 12-18 inches |
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Pollinator Partnerships
The Half-Black Bumblebee
Bombus vagans
The Half-Black Bumblebee has a wide native range but is declining rapidly in the Northeast for reasons that are mostly unknown. But scientists do know that this bee is a specialist, requiring plants with long, narrow flower shapes like Great Blue Lobelia. The decline of these native flowers might be a primary threat to the half-black bumblebee.
The Northern Amber Bumblebee
Bombus borealis
The Northern Amber Bumblebee uses Great Blue Lobelia as a major nectar source. This bumblebee is native to much of the eastern United States and Midwest, with a conservation rank of S3 (vulnerable) in New York. A ground-nesting bee, it’s often found in old fields, orchards, forest edges and hedgerows. Overwintering queen bees emerge later in spring than many other hibernating bee species.
PollinateHV is a collaboration between the Hudson Valley Seed Company and Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley in support of threatened native pollinators.
We worked with a team of expert botanists, seed collectors, nursery growers and farmers to produce local ecotype native seeds to support at-risk Hudson Valley pollinators. You can find more information about this project at pollinatehv.org/seed-work. Learn more about the Hudson Valley's threatened pollinators and find resources to install pollinator habitat at all scales at pollinatehv.org.