Great Blue Lobelia is a North American native and the blue counterpart of the Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) It is a very desirable plant for woodland gardens especially since it blooms bright blue in the summer and is less fussy than the cardinal flower. The unfortunate species name, siphilitica, is based on the fact that it was a supposed cure for syphilis. It forms a low growing rosette of leaves that gives rise to tall, erect stems with lavender-blue, tubular flowers crowded together on the upper stem.  It has a long bloom time throughout the summer months.