Lobelia siphilitica 'Alba' White Cardinal Flower

Roger Dahlin's Propagation Project

One will not find White lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica 'Alba' listed on the USDA Natural Resource Conservation website as it is a "recessive albino" that on occasion displays itself. We don't intentionally raise them here at Nodding Onion Gardens, but there is always a chance one will show up in our stock. If one b looms in your yard, celebrate your good fortune.
I have included this page on our website as my father, Roger Dahlin has put a great deal of time and effort learning to propagate these beauties. I thought someone else might benefit by sharing his experiences.
Red, White and Blue Lobelia!

Cultivation Information Lobelia siphilitica 'Alba'

White Lobelia By roger Dahlin
Height - 24 to 36 inFlower Color - WhiteBlooms - July - SeptemberSun - Sun or part shade
Hardy Zone - 4- 9Soil - Moist and fertile
Family - Campanulaceae
Surprise in our garden summer 2020 White Lobelia
All American Lobelia By Roger Dahlin far left white, blue in middle and red on right
Propagation Suggestions From Bill Cullina
Dear Roger
The white version of cardinal flower is a recessive albino that pops up in populations once in a while. I have grown it from seed, but only get a few whites out of a batch of seed (the white seedlings lack any red/maroon pigment, so are easy to spot in the seed pan). Albino or alba forms are not protected or listed separately per se, as they are genetic varieties and not geographic varieties, but both the blue lobelia and cardinal flower have white forms. Cardinal flower also has a pink form that comes more easily from seed.
You can root lobelias from stem cuttings taken just before the first flower buds open. Lengths of stem with two leaves plus one leafless node below ground treated with rooting hormone root pretty well, and this is the best way to guarantee white plants (or other color morphs).
Best Wishes and hope that helps
BillBill CullinaActing Executive DirectorCoastal Maine Botanical GardensPO Box 234132 Botanical Gardens Dr.Boothbay, ME 04537
Propagation Notes from Dave Minor
Rog, I don't add the very fine sifted dirt until I'm ready to plant in the spring. I use a plastic coffee can with lid to store mine in. It's about a quart in size. My can is less than half full of husk with seed. Before I add the dirt, I shake out the seed to separate it from the husk. The seed is so fine it almost looks like dust or maybe pepper. I also assume I don't get all the seed out of the husk, so I plant the husks also, but separate from the pure seed. I bet I don't get more than a teaspoon full of pure seed. For storing the seed with husks, I leave the seeds dry out good before I put the lid on to prevent any mold from developing. I store the can on a shelf in a back shed, but I'm thinking an unheated garage would work. Come spring, I shake the can vigorously to try to separate as much seed as possible. I then put the husks in a separate container. I then use a play sandbox sieve to sift the dirt to get about a cup full of fine dirt. I then add the dirt to the seed and mix/shake it up good. I do that because the seed is so fine, I don't know how else to plant it. The theory is that the seed will mix in and stick to the dirt, which becomes much easier to plant. This is my own theory, so what ever works for you is the way to do it. Then I plant the husks, just in case some of the seed stayed with it. Not very many survive, but at least I get some every year. The hard part is that they don't show up until mid-summer, so I never really know what I got until the flowers start to bloom. I plant them in a naturally setting at the edge of the pond, right along with all the weeds and what ever else grows in that area. It's about a two-foot wide strip at the pond's edge that does not get mowed. Good luck,Dave Miner