The Benefits of Butterfly-Attracting Plants

Cardinal Flower

The Red Cardinal Flower has vibrant red blooms and tall, erect stalks; it adds a splash of color and a touch of elegance to gardens, parks, and various outdoor spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it brings several advantages, making it a popular choice for landscapers and gardeners. Cardinal Flower The scarlet-hued Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial in the bellflower family. Its tall, nectar-filled flower spikes attract hummingbirds and create a beautiful display in your garden. The plant's common name refers to the red robes a Roman Catholic cardinal wears. Natural Habitat Of The Cardinal Flower Lobelia is native to the North and South American continents and blooms from July through September. This moisture-loving plant grows on stream banks and in low woods, marshes, and meadows across the United States. Appearance Of The Cardinal Flower If you want to create a handsome show in your garden, Lobelia is sure to delight. The plant's fiery spires yield brilliant red blooms that open gradually from the bottom to the top of their racemes. Each long, narrow, tube-shaped blossom has two flat upper petals and three lower petals that spread out at the tips. The delicate plant crown leafy 2’-4' stems, covered with shiny, lance-shaped, bright green leaves that sometimes have a bronze or reddish tint. The leaves alternate as they climb the stems, enhancing the blooms to create a lively riot of color. Cardinal Flower In the Garden Lobelia is a favorite of gardeners who love adding bold splashes of crimson to their garden. This plant is perfect for shady woodland plots, wet meadow plantings, water gardens, pollinator gardens, and rain gardens. Its long stems can add height to borders and create depth when placed in the back sections of your landscape. The blossoms are most spectacular from midsummer into fall, and they make excellent cut blooms. Ecology Of The Cardinal Flower Some people say that Lobelia will bring hummingbirds in from the sky. The plant's blooming period is in sync with the late-summer migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds who are traveling south to Mexico. The birds pollinate the plant by dipping their beaks into the plants' long, red tubes. The blossoms are also very attractive to swallowtail butterflies and bees, making them a wonderful centerpiece in a pollinator garden. Cardinal Flower Will Make a Brilliant Statement in Your Garden When you want to make a bold, beautiful statement in your garden, be sure to include Lobelia in your plan and celebrate the summer season.