Lobelia cardinalis
Size / Sun / Conditions
2–3' tall. Sun to part shade. Moist soil.
Cardinal flower is one of the most vivid natives in the late-summer garden, with upright spikes of intense red flowers that draw hummingbirds from a distance. Blooming from mid- to late summer, it brings a welcome surge of color just as many early perennials begin to fade.
Naturally found in moist meadows and along stream edges, it prefers consistently moist soil and performs beautifully in rain gardens or at the edge of ponds, though it will adapt to average garden conditions with adequate watering. Its bold color and vertical form make it an excellent accent in mixed borders and pollinator plantings. Will self seed in favorable conditions, it often settles in where it’s happiest.
$12