Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Sunlight:

Partial Sun
Full Sun

Soil Type:

Wet
Moist

The cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a striking North American perennial known for its vibrant, scarlet-red tubular flowers that bloom in summer and attract hummingbirds. It requires moist to wet, nutrient-rich soil and partial to full sun, thriving in conditions like rain gardens, stream banks, or near ponds. Though beautiful, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and may cause illness.

Sun: Prefers Full sun, but can tolerate partial sun/shade.

Soil: Moist soil to wet soil (thrives in moist, rich soil and is found in streambanks and swamps).

Height: grows to a height of 2 to 5 feet, with the flowering stalks reaching up to 3 or 4 feet tall, though some can reach up to 6 feet

Spread: 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm), forming upright, clumping rosettes of leaves from which tall flower stalks arise, making it well-suited for mass plantings or moist garden edges.

Garden Design:

Cardinal flower is a great addition for a pop of color to rain gardens, as it does extremely well near water features such as ponds, streams or areas where water collects. It's loved by hummingbirds, and does best in morning sun and afternoon shade.

Best visual impact in groups; drift in moist soil. Can work well as a scatter plant in small repeating punctuations (mini clusters) rather than true singletons.

Short lived, but can self seed if happy.

Bloom Times:

June
July
August
September

Pollinator Support:

Hummingbirds
Butterflies
Bees

Grows Well With

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