Description
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a real showstopper, shooting up 3–6 foot stalks of bright red, tubular blooms from late spring through early fall. It thrives in rich, wet soil—think rain gardens, streambanks, or pond edges—and full to partial sun, and it’s a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees while deer generally leave it alone. This short‑lived perennial often spends its first year on leafy growth before really flowering, but it self‑sows easily, so you’ll get new plants popping up each season. Just give it a layer of mulch to help it through frost, and you’re set. Heads up: like all lobelias, it’s mildly toxic if eaten, so keep it away from curious pets.
