Kangaroo Lobelia

Kangaroo Lobelia (Dampiera linearis) is a compact, upright native about 60cm tall and wide, with grey-green foliage and deep cobalt blue flowers from spring into summer. It tolerates frost and dry conditions once established and grows in clay or sandy soil. Its upright habit sets it apart from the low-spreading Dampiera diversifolia, so it suits borders and baskets as well as mass planting.

Why you'll love it

• Cobalt blue flowers. Deep blue blooms cover the plant from spring into summer, standing out against the grey-green leaves.
• A neat, upright habit. It forms a compact little shrub rather than a flat mat, so it holds its place in a border.
• Tough once settled. Established plants tolerate frost and dry conditions, and they will grow in clay or sandy soil.
• Regrows after fire. A useful trait in bushfire-prone districts, where many plants do not return.
• Many uses. Groundcover, mass planting, rockeries and containers are all within its range.

Where it works best

Mass planting and borders. Plant 40cm apart. At about 60cm wide, the plants meet and form a soft sweep of grey-green topped with blue.

Rockeries. Its grey-green leaves look good against stone, and a raised rock garden gives the sharp drainage it needs.

Pots and hanging baskets. Where garden soil drains poorly, a pot of free draining mix is a reliable alternative, and a basket lets the flowers hang at eye height.

Cottage and dry gardens. It sits well among low flowering plants in a cottage border and holds up in drier plantings.

Growing Kangaroo Lobelia in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a partly shaded spot, with dappled sunlight ideal, in a sheltered position. It is a Western Australian native but grows in most of the country wherever drainage is good, including subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and drier inland gardens. Established plants tolerate frost.

Soil. It will grow in clay or sandy soils, but drainage is still the rule. On heavy clay, mound the soil or use a pot, and mulch after planting to hold moisture and moderate soil temperature while the plant establishes.

Water and feed. Water young plants regularly through their first season. Established plants cope with dry conditions. Apply a native slow release fertiliser in spring to keep the plant healthy.

Pruning. No regular pruning is needed. Lightly tip prune after flowering if you want a denser shape.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Kangaroo Lobelia as tube stock (a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly) and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes suit a larger planting on a budget, and the packs of ten are handy for filling a bed in one go.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More Australian native plants
• Plants for rockeries and gravel gardens
• Plants that suit pots and baskets
• Low growing plant ideas for garden borders

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 40cm apart for a dense sweep. For individual plants in a rockery, 50cm leaves room for the upright shape to show.

Can I plant it in clay?

It will grow in clay or sandy soil, but good drainage still matters. Mound heavy clay or use a container so the roots are never sitting in water.

Will it come back after a fire?

Yes, it regrows after fire, which makes it a sensible choice for gardens in fire-prone areas. No garden plant makes a property fire safe, so keep planting clear of the house.