LOBELIA CARDINALIS / CARDINAL FLOWER

LOBELIA CARDINALIS / CARDINAL FLOWER

A Native Perennial with Brilliant Red Summer Blooms

Lobelia cardinalis, commonly known as Cardinal Flower, is a striking native perennial celebrated for its intense scarlet-red flower spikes that bloom from mid to late summer. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist to wet soils, Cardinal Flower adds bold color, vertical interest, and exceptional wildlife value to rain gardens, pond edges, and naturalized landscapes. Its vivid flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds and pollinators.

Why Choose Cardinal Flower?

Hummingbird Favorite: Bright red blooms are especially attractive to hummingbirds.
Wet-Soil Adapted: Ideal for rain gardens, stream banks, and consistently moist areas.
Bold Ornamental Appeal: Tall flower spikes provide dramatic summer color.
Native & Ecologically Valuable: Supports pollinators and native wildlife.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green, lance-shaped leaves.
Flower Color: Brilliant scarlet-red tubular flowers on upright spikes.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 2–4 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–9.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist to wet soils; tolerates clay and organic-rich soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 2–4 feet tall, 1–2 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming perennial.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9.
Flowering: Mid to late summer with vivid red blooms.

Ideal Uses:

Rain Gardens & Pond Edges: Excellent for wet areas and water features.
Pollinator & Hummingbird Gardens: A standout nectar plant.
Borders & Moist Garden Beds: Adds vertical interest and bold color.
Naturalized Landscapes: Perfect for wet meadows and woodland edges.

Cardinal Flower is a show-stopping native perennial. Its brilliant red blooms, moisture tolerance, and strong appeal to hummingbirds make it an outstanding choice for rain gardens, wet landscapes, and pollinator-friendly gardens.