Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

The red cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It is a popular garden plant due to its stunning display of bright red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers bloom on tall spikes in late summer and fall and are accompanied by lance-shaped leaves that grow up to 8 inches long.

The plant contains toxic alkaloids and should not be consumed without proper preparation and guidance from a trained practitioner.

The red cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to North America. It is a popular garden plant due to its stunning display of bright red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The flowers bloom on tall spikes in late summer and fall and are accompanied by lance-shaped leaves that grow up to 8 inches long.

In addition to being a beautiful ornamental plant, indigenous communities have also used the red cardinal flower in traditional medicine for various purposes, such as treating respiratory issues, inflammation, and fever.

The plant contains toxic alkaloids and should not be consumed without proper preparation and guidance from a trained practitioner.

Cardinal Flower: Lobelia cardinalis, or the cardinal flower, is a hardy, perennial native herbaceous flower that will catch the eye with its scarlet blossoms.

This plant originated in the lower midwest and mid-south regions, where it enjoyed the hot summer days and high relative humidity. However, it is also an adaptable species and can grow in almost every USDA growing zone in the United States.

Besides the cardinal flower, here are a few other common names for Lobelia cardinalis: water gladiola, scarlet flower, Indian pink, crimson bellflower, and cardinal bellflower.

Where to Plant the Cardinal Flower

This plant needs partial or full sun to produce the stunning cardinal red flowers that earned it its common name.

It is also more agreeable to soil with lots of moisture--it does not like to dry out. So if you have a pond, water garden, or rain garden, this perennial is ideal.

Otherwise, a layer of hardwood mulch will help it retain the high water level this beautiful plant craves.

Cardinal Flower Is an Impressive Full-Sun Species

The cardinal flower can reach a mature height of up to six feet tall. However, they generally stay between three and four feet.

Alternating, dark green leaves are oval-shaped with serrated edges and a narrow tip. Each leaf can measure four inches long. The central, singular stem is light green, deciduous, and sturdy.

The cardinal flowers put on their colorful show from late summer until early fall. The flowers form in a spike shape on the stem; each is tube-shaped, two-lipped, and about an inch and a half long. Although most cardinal flowers are the signature scarlet red, some may present as bright pink.

Order Your Cardinal Flowers From TN Nursery Today

If you need a flower that loves the hot summer sun and humid conditions, TN Nursery recommends the cardinal flower. This lovely plant is beautiful and well-suited to those growing conditions--order yours today.