- Botanical name: Lobelia cardinalis
- Common name: Cardinal flower
- Family: Campanulaceae
Red
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower) is a brilliantly colourful and showy damp-loving perennial that blooms throughout summer and into autumn, brightening the garden at a time when many other plants are finishing for the year. This hardy perennial must have moisture in order to thrive, either in good moisture-retentive soil, a bog garden or even in shallow water at the edge of a pond. Lobelia cardinalis is handsome in both flower and foliage, bearing many brilliant scarlet-red flowers up to 5cm long. The blooms are borne on stems up to 1m tall that rise vertically from a basal rosette of foliage. The leaves are long and slender, bright green tinged with bronze, or purple in the case of named varieties such as ‘Bee’s Flame’ and ‘Queen Victoria’.
Lobelia cardinalis is an herbaceous perennial, dying back to the ground in autumn and regrowing in spring. However, it tends to be short-lived, although dividing the plant every two to three years can extend its life. To do this, dig up the clump in spring, divide into two or more good-sized pieces each with plenty of roots and shoot buds, and replant. Lobelia cardinalis is moderately hardy – in cold areas, protect with a mulch of straw or chipped bark over winter.
Once established, Lobelia cardinalis is trouble free to grow so long as the soil is adequately moist.
Lobelia cardinalis is toxic if consumed. Wear gloves to avoid contact and wash hands well after handling.
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Advice on buying Lobelia cardinalis
- Lobelia cardinalis needs moist soil to thrive. Ensure you have the right growing requirements before buying
- You may find a Lobelia cardinalis at your local garden centre but you’ll find more choice online
- Always check plants for signs of disease or damage before buying
Where to buy Lobelia cardinalis
How to grow Lobelia cardinalis
-
Plant size
100cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Lobelia cardinalis and wildlife
Lobelia cardinalis is known for attracting bees.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Lobelia cardinalis poisonous?
Lobelia cardinalis causes an upset stomach.
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
