Perennials
Cardinal Flower
Thrives in moist, shady conditions
Supports local pollinator populations effectively
Low maintenance, hardy perennial plant choice
Thrives in
ZONE 3ZONE 4ZONE 5ZONE 6ZONE 7ZONE 8ZONE 9Planting Season:
Year-RoundThe Red Cardinal Flower has vibrant red blooms and tall, erect stalks. It adds color and elegance to gardens, parks, and various outdoor spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it offers several advantages, making it a popular choice for landscapers and gardeners. The scarlet-hued Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial in the bellflower family. Its tall, nectar-filled bloom 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.
If you want to create a handsome show in your garden, Lobelia will surely 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 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 is a favorite of gardeners who love adding bold splashes of crimson. 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 make excellent cut blooms.
Ecology Of The Cardinal Flower
Some people say Lobelia will bring hummingbirds in from the sky. The plant's blooming period coincides with the late-summer migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds traveling south to Mexico. The birds pollinate the plant by dipping their beaks into the plants' long, red tubes. The blossoms are also beautiful to swallowtail butterflies and bees, making them a wonderful centerpiece in a pollinator garden.
Cardinal Flower Is A Bold Statement In Any Garden
When you want to make a bold, beautiful statement in your garden, include the Cardinal Flower in your plan and celebrate the summer season.
This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery
Bloom Season
Summer
Bloom/Foliage Color
Red
Height at Maturity
Over 12"
Care
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) thrives in moist, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Keep the soil consistently wet and mulched to retain moisture. Fertilize lightly in early spring. Remove spent flowers to promote more flowers and prevent self-seeding.
Plant Reproduction
Cardinal flowers are spread by self-seeding, sending out offshoots, and bending stems.
Planting bare-root perennials is best in any season if they are dormant; we only sell dormant plants. Planting them year-round is also excellent if you can get dormant perennials. When your bare-root perennials arrive, soak the roots in water for a few hours to rehydrate them. Lant by digging a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably and deep enough to place the top portion crown (where the roots meet the stem) at or slightly above ground level. Position the plant in the hole, backfill with native soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots—water well after planting to settle the soil around the plant and eliminate air. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay and moisture locked in, keeping the mulch away from the crown. Irrigate plants regularly during the first few weeks of drought; never water in full sun, and water late in the evenings to ensure the roots are established well. Fertilize sparingly in the first year, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in subsequent years as needed.
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Stunning Visual Impact:
Cardinal Flower’s vivid red spikes provide a bold and dramatic splash of color that enhances any landscape. The striking hue creates an eye-catching focal point that adds depth and interest to your garden.
Adds Vertical Interest:
With its tall, spiky flowers, Cardinal Flower introduces vertical dimension to flower beds and borders. This height creates a visually appealing contrast, drawing the eye upward and adding structure to your garden.
Thrives in Moist Conditions:
Ideal for planting near water features or in damp soil, it excels in moist environments where other plants might struggle. This makes it a great choice for areas prone to wet conditions, ensuring vibrant blooms where others may fail.
Attracts Hummingbirds:
Its bright red blooms are a magnet for hummingbirds, bringing lively activity and a touch of nature’s charm. Watching these birds flutter around adds a dynamic and enchanting element to your outdoor space.
Caring Tips
How do I care for my Cardinal Flower?
Each box contains detailed care instructions and information about your product. But here's the basics.
Care Tips
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) thrives in moist, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Keep the soil consistently wet and mulched to retain moisture. Fertilize lightly in early spring. Remove spent flowers to promote more flowers and prevent self-seeding.
Light Requirements
The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) thrives in partial to full sun but also appreciates some shade, especially in hot climates. It prefers bright, indirect light to ensure vibrant blooms and robust growth.
Hardy Planting Zones
3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9
Frequently Asked Questions
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