Starship Blue
× speciosa fan‑hybrid; F1 series; herbaceous perennial
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: × speciosa fan‑hybrid; F1 series; herbaceous perennial
- Height × spread: 24-28 in (61-71 cm) × 8-12 in (20-30 cm)
- Bloom window: mid summer to early fall
- Color & flower form: Deep violet‑blue tubular flowers on columnar spikes
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 6-10
- Breeder / Year / Origin: PanAmerican Seed; year unknown; USA
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Shorter and more columnar than a typical Great Blue Lobelia clump.
- Blooms earlier and may rebloom with deadheading.
- Shows better heat tolerance than many older fan hybrids.
- Less cold hardy than the species; winter survival drops north of zone 6.
Strengths
- Uniform habit and earlier flowering commonly reported by the breeder.
- Good vertical accent for small spaces and containers.
- Performs in humid, warm summers with steady moisture.
Care in one minute
Site and light: full sun to part shade; afternoon shade in hot areas.
Soil and pH: fertile, evenly moist, well‑drained soil; avoid standing water.
Watering: keep consistently moist through bloom.
Feeding: mix in compost; light balanced fertilizer in spring for container plants.
Grooming: deadhead to encourage continued bloom; remove spent spikes.
Overwintering: mulch lightly in zone 6; replant where winters are colder.
Watch‑outs
- Short‑lived in cold climates; treat as an annual or replant every few years.
- Requires consistent moisture; avoid letting containers dry out.
- May suffer crown rot in saturated, poorly drained soils.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
The Starship series derives from crosses among Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica; ‘Starship Blue’ is listed as selection ‘PAS1302712’.
References
- PanAmerican Seed – Lobelia Starship Blue
- Royal Horticultural Society – Lobelia × speciosa ‘Starship Blue’
- Chicago Botanic Garden – Lobelia × speciosa Starship Deep Rose (series hardiness reference)
- NC State Extension – Lobelia (toxicity and culture)
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