The intensely bright red flower spikes of the Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) serve as a beacon to the hummingbirds and butterflies who dine on the flower's nectar. The plant itself also acts as a host for some species of butterfly larvae.

Cardinal Flowers can be found growing naturally in marsh areas and along wooded stream banks in almost every state except in the Northwest. The plant forms two foot clumps which produce many 2-3 foot, long lasting flower spikes in late summer.
They are easy to grow and care for, but unfortunately are rather short lived and will need to be replaced every 3-4 years.

Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. In most areas, they should be planted in full sun but in hot climates they will require partial shade. The soil must be kept moist or wet at all times. In colder climates, provide a good covering of mulch for winter.

Cardinal Flowers can be propagated by seeds sown in the Fall, division of the plant in early Spring, or softwood cuttings taken at mid-Summer.

NOTE:For Spring planting, the seeds of Lobelia cardinalis require a three month period of cold-moist stratification in the refrigerator prior to sowing.

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'









These are Cedar Hill flowers!

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I love these plants.....

Me and Brennan dug some of these up somewhere last year...and when they came up this year in the hummingbird garden I thought it was a weed (memory problem happening there as usual)...so I pulled them up.
Did the same thing with the wild asters we planted around the pond.

I like to make gardening a lot harder than it needs to be.....
(Increase the "level of difficulty" for extra points?)

Cindy Faye

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Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!

Gorgeous flowers Bill. REally enjoy that deep red!

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We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart.