Summary
Cardinal flower is a sure bet for gardeners anxious to have hummingbirds visit their gardens. Set against deep green foliage, pure red flowers appear on 2’ long spikes atop 3-4’ tall plants providing a spectacular garden display in the heat of summer. Cardinal flower flourishes in acidic to neutral, well drained soils in filtered shade to sun. Stream banks, water’s edge, meadow margins, and garden soils less prone to drought stress are excellent sites to grow this adorable herbaceous perennial. Lobelia cardinalis grows well with Lobelia siphilitica, Asclepias incarnata, Gentiana clausa, Monarda fistulosa, Rhexia virginica, Spiranthes odorata ‘Chadds Ford’, and Zephyranthes atamasca.
More Details
- Plant Type
perennial - Sun/Shade Conditions
filtered-shade, full-sun - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average, moist, wet - Flowering Period
late-summer, mid-summer - Soil PH
acidic, adaptable - Flower Color
red - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
green - Fruit/Seed Color
green, tan
Additional Information
USDA Plants Database, Floridata, Wildflowers of the Southeastern U.S.