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Starship Blue Cardinal Flower

Proven Selections

MSRP: $31.49
$26.99
(You save $4.50 )
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Availability : Out of Stock
MSRP: $31.49
$26.99
(You save $4.50 )
This product does not ship to: Idaho
  • Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)
  • Height 28 - 32 Inches
  • Width 18 - 20 Inches
  • Growing Zones 6-10

One of the few true blue perennials, Starship Blue Cardinal Flower Lobelia is an outstanding example of an improved cultivar. While most L. speciosa hybrids tend to be short lived, this cultivar of L. speciosa is a knock out with its violet blue 1 to 2 inch flowers on tall spikes and its rosette of basal leaves in a bright green. Tending to prefer a very moist to wet habitat, lobelia can be grown in your drier soil with a little care and maintenance from you. It is worth the extra effort! Starship Blue Cardinal Flower Lobelia is one of the earliest flowering lobelia in spring.

Native to North American where it is found in wetlands, along streams and in dense damp woodlands, Lobelia speciosa has intrigued gardeners for centuries. Starship Blue grows reliably in Zones 6-10, preferring the hot humid summers over the cool woodland climates, so it adapts fairly well into a not-so-wet garden environment. Now you have two options for enjoying these lovely perennials, a bog garden, wetland or pond edge garden setting, or a well-drained soil garden where it can be kept consistently moist. This tough perennial can even survive brief floodings, so don’t be afraid to plant it streamside or in a wetland area.

Starship Blue Cardinal Flower Care

Plant in full sun in Northern cooler climates and when in moist to wet conditions, and by rule of thumb, opt for part shade in hot humid Southern gardens. If planting in drier well draining soil, keep it consistently moist with drip irrigation and an application of mulch to hold moisture in, plus keep it in the shade to reduce evaporation of the water in the soil. True of most North American wildflowers, fertilizer is not typically needed. Lobelia tolerates a wide range of soil types from poor to fertile, and also adapts to a wide range of soil pH from acidic to alkaline. This is truly a versatile perennial for warm winter gardeners. This lobelia loves the heat.

Deadheading is not needed to keep lobelia flowering for you, but it does help clean up spent flowers and may trigger a rebloom at a later time. Resist cleaning the foliage up in late fall and winter to allow it to protect the roots in colder winter regions. Mulch the root zone in cold winter zones, and clean everything up in early spring before new growth emerges.

Starship Blue Cardinal Flower Spacing

Space your lobelia 18 to 20 inches apart from other plants to allow it room to grow. Cardinal flowers grow to about 32 inches tall and 20 inches wide so need some room to spread out. Pair this beautiful blue flower with a large hosta, whose flower spikes will rival the lobelia for height and whose base needs are very similar to lobelia, making maintenance a lot easier. All in all, gardeners will agree that Starship Blue Cardinal Lobelia is worth every ounce of care that they expend for it once they see it in their spring gardens.

Starship Blue Cardinal Flower Information

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10
Plant Type: Perennial
Sunlight Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun
Mature Height: 28 - 32 Inches
Mature Width: 18 - 20 Inches
Plant Spacing: 18 - 20 Inches
Growth Habit: Upright
Flower Color(s): Blue
Flower Shade: Blue Shades
Seasonal Interest: Mid Summer Late Summer Early Fall
Foliage Type: Herbaceous
Foliage Color(s): Green/Purple Shades
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Resists: Deer, Rabbits
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Low Maintenance, Native to North America
Uses: Border Plant Mass Planting
Plant Brand: Proven Winners
Botanical/Scientific Name: Lobelia speciosa 'Blue'
SKU:
LOBSSQT

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Know As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Know As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Know As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Know As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


For more detailed information, please click here.

Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.

For information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty whether you’re new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

  • If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.  
    • We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location


Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.