Approximately 300 seeds per packet
Collected & Packaged: 2025
Germination code: 60C

Please refer to our germination codes and growing information for recommendations and tips.

Seed treatment recommended: these species require a minimum of 60 days of cold moist stratification to break natural seed dormancy and encourage germination. Alternatively, sow seeds in outdoor containers in the fall or winter, with germination occurring in the spring. Sometimes Lobelia will germinate in as little as 30 days of cold moist stratification, but we recommend 60.

Surface sow only: Lobelia species has small or tiny, dust-particle-sized seeds that require light to germinate. Sown seed should only be sprinkled over the surface of pre-moistened soil, and not covered or buried beneath the soil. Water lightly with a light spray or mist to keep the soil moist. Be careful when watering before germination occurs to not bury the seeds.

Our recommendation is to sow the seeds in a tray or small multi-cell containers. Divide young plants in late spring or plant the containers as they are.

Lobelia Medley Seed Packet

$5.00

Quantity

Virginia ecotype

Names: Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower), Lobelia puberula (Downy Lobelia), and Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia)

Size: 1 – 4 ft. tall, usually shorter

Flowering time: May through October

Bloom color: Scarlet red (L. cardinalis), pale to vivid reddish-purple (L. puberula), and bright violet-blue (L. silphilitica)

Habitat: Ditches, streams, bogs, wet woods

Moisture: Average to wet, well draining or poor draining; needs consistent moisture in summer months

Light: Full sun to part shade, flowers best in full sun but needs more moisture

Soils: Clay, loamy, sandy, gravely; adaptable so long as moist

Uses: pollinator and hummingbird gardens, cottage gardens, lakes/ponds, water gardens, riparian areas, aquariums

This is a mix of three Lobelia species: Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower), Lobelia puberula (Downy Lobelia), and Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia). These species share habitat and condition preferences, but have distinctive bloom colors and characteristics, meaning they can be sown together in the same area for a showy splash of color where suited.

Lobelia are riparian and wetland species known for their brilliant, tubular blooms highly attractive to hummingbirds and long-tongued bees and butterflies. While these plants prefer dampness, if established in the fall or early enough in the spring, many Lobelia can grow just fine in medium moisture soils, as long as the ground doesn’t dry out completely. This makes Lobelia a wonderful rain garden plant, or in an area that gets occasional drainage, such as by a ditch or downspout.

This species most often flowers in their second year from seed, overwintering as a clumping rosette to send floral spires up to 4 feet tall from late summer to early fall. Once finished, Lobelia seed pods are packed with thousands of dust-sized seeds. An ounce can contain around 400,000 seeds, so the species is able to readily self-seed itself in optimal conditions with low competition.
Seeds sold by WBN as packets are harvested and cleaned from plants grown in our Virginia nursery and wildflower garden. These plants are grown from seed sourced from wild populations. We document the county locality of ecotypes, with Virginia ecotypes often being sourced within 100 miles of Richmond, VA. Some plants that provide our seed stock are sourced from local growers of Virginia (and neighboring state) provenance native species.

Because our seed is harvested, cleaned, and carefully selected by hand, packets may contain trace amounts of chaff and inert plant material such as dried petals, small leaves or bits of stem, and fibers or fluff still attached. This material is harmless to seeds and won't impact germination. We guarantee each packet contains at least the number of seeds listed, usually more.
All sales of plants and seeds are final.

WBN will never knowingly sell plants or seeds that do not reach or exceed our high standards. We want to help you produce strong and healthy plants that will thrive in your garden and support native insects and wildlife. Some species do have lower germination rates or are difficult to propagate by seed, and we will make that known if that is our experience or the experience of others.

Generally it is recommended to sow seeds within 1-3 years of collection. Some seeds can remain viable for decades, especially with proper storage. In most cases, native seeds should be stored indoors in paper or glassine bags or paper envelopes in places with low to average humidity, in room temperature or colder, with limited sun exposure.

Because we collect and prepare seeds by hand, some packets may include chaff and other inert plant material like dried petals. This poses no risk to seed germination, viability or storage. We also carefully account for this additional material when preparing our seeds to ensure each packet includes at least the number of seeds indicated.

Got questions? Ask us! We are aways happy to provide advice on germinating, growing, or planting any species.
Seeds (regardless of quantity) are shipped in a padded biodegradable mailer to protect seeds during shipping. All packets come with a printed booklet of our seed germination codes and growing tips.

Once your order ships, we will provide a tracking number to the email provided at the time of order. Orders are shipped to the mailing address provided at checkout. Please ensure your mailing information is correct at time of order.

We will usually pack seed orders within 12 - 24 hours of receipt and ship within 1 - 3 business days. Items generally arrive within 5 days of shipment.

If you believe that any items are missing from your order, please email us ASAP. Any missing items will be sent free of charge.

Free local pickup of seed orders is possible. Please email us and we can arrange for pick-up.

Lobelia Medley Seed Packet

Species Information

About Our Seeds

Returns

Shipping Information