Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Comes in bundle of five- 1.5"x 2.25" plugs.
THIS ITEM IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP ON APRIL 12, 2025 FROM 10AM TO 12PM AT GREENVALE VINEYARDS, PORTSMOUTH, RHODE ISLAND.
*There is no delivery option for your seedling pre-order, you must pick them up yourself on our seedling sale date. Any seedlings that are not picked up will be considered a donation to ERICD's educational farm program.*
Light Requirements
sun, part-sun, part-shade
Soil Moisture
moist, wet
Soil Description
acid, neutral, alkaline, rich, loam, clay, sand
Height
2'-5'
Bloom Time
July, August, September
Bloom Color
red
Hardiness Zone
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
sun, part-sun, part-shade
Soil Moisture
moist, wet
Soil Description
acid, neutral, alkaline, rich, loam, clay, sand
Height
2'-5'
Bloom Time
July, August, September
Bloom Color
red
Hardiness Zone
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Rhode Island Zone(s): 5
Massachusetts Zone(s): 5, 6
Description
It is impossible not to do a double take when you spot a Lobelia cardinalis in bloom during the heat of summer. Its vivid red is so conspicuous it hardly seems possible nature could produce a color that intense. The plant has a vertical habit, with deep-green, lance-shaped, coarsely serrated leaves that are up to 6” long and predominantly basal. It produces an unbranched central stem that terminates in a flowering spike that can be up to 2’ long, bring the plant’s total height up to 3 to 4’. The flowers are tubular, intensely red, and up to 1 ½” long. You will enjoy this species’ long blooming period that can occur from late summer to early fall, and lasts about 1 ½ months.
It is impossible not to do a double take when you spot a Lobelia cardinalis in bloom during the heat of summer. Its vivid red is so conspicuous it hardly seems possible nature could produce a color that intense. The plant has a vertical habit, with deep-green, lance-shaped, coarsely serrated leaves that are up to 6” long and predominantly basal. It produces an unbranched central stem that terminates in a flowering spike that can be up to 2’ long, bring the plant’s total height up to 3 to 4’. The flowers are tubular, intensely red, and up to 1 ½” long. You will enjoy this species’ long blooming period that can occur from late summer to early fall, and lasts about 1 ½ months.
Cultivation
Lobelia cardinalis is very adaptable, with the only requirement being that the soil not dry out for extended periods. It can grow in full sun just as well as in part-shade where it gets exposed to as little as 2 hours of direct sun per day. Just keep in mind that the more sun it is exposed to, the higher its water needs will be. It is not particular about soil and will thrive in sandy loam as well as in clay soil. To be accurate, this is not a true perennial: the above ground parts as well as the roots of each individual plant will completely die after it blooms, but not before producing offshoots that will in turn ensure its perennial presence. It is therefore important to not heavily mulch the base of the plants in fall, or let a lot of leaf litter accumulate, because these offshoots will need to be exposed in order to survive. Great around water features and in rain gardens, cardinal flower can also be a showy addition to perennial gardens and woodland borders. Zones 3-9
Additional Notes
Lobelia cardinalis is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. It is moderately deer resistant