Lobelia tupa

Devil’s Tobacco
Lobelia tupa
Type: Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun
Water: Regular

Cool name, huh? First I need to thank my good friend Danee of Eden Landscapes for putting me onto a vendor for these. They’re a bit tough to find in these parts ( I bought two).

This bold Chilean native forms a 4ft (1.2m) wide clump of robust, lance-shaped felty leaves, each reaching up to a foot (30cm) long, held by reddish stems. In mid to late summer, tubular bright red flowers are arranged in spires at the top of each stem, and can reach 6-8ft (1.8-2.4m) high. These flowers form an interesting pattern, often right at eye level, that adds to the overall tropical, structural feel of this impressive perennial. It attracts hummingbirds, I’m told.

Cheers,

John