Description
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is one of those plants that immediately grabs your attention. Its bright red flower spikes stand out from a distance and bloom from mid to late summer, opening gradually from the bottom up so you get color for several weeks. The tubular flowers are packed with nectar and are especially attractive to hummingbirds, along with butterflies like swallowtails.
It grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, rich soils. It is a natural fit for rain gardens, low spots, and areas along ponds or streams where soil stays consistently damp. It can handle average garden conditions, but it performs best when it does not dry out.
Most plants live only a few years, but Cardinal Flower reseeds easily and tends to maintain a presence by establishing new plants nearby. It spreads by seed rather than by aggressive roots, so it is not considered invasive or hard to control. New plants usually appear close to the parent, and occasional thinning is all that is needed.
The plant produces a compound called lobeline, which helps deter deer and other herbivores. Like other lobelias, it is mildly toxic if eaten, so it should be planted with care around pets.
Cardinal Flower pairs well with other moisture-loving natives like Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), Northern Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum).
