The vibrant red-faced flower spike of this short - lived perennial are hummingbird attractive feature .
The cardinal efflorescence is a tall perennial lobelia that is native to the eastern United States and not to be confused with the low - growing , often blueannual lobelia . Its brilliant , showy red blooms first mature in late summer and continue into midfall . The flower spike are attractor for hummingbirds and groovy for wildlife gardens . The fizgig - regulate , shining foliage is a handsome dark honey oil .
These colored violent flowers , list after the carmine robes of Roman Catholic cardinal grosbeak , are a marvelous selection for landscaping around ponds and stream — anywhere the stain is consistently moist . Lobelia even loves downright wet conditions , make it a top pick for bog and rain gardens .
Cardinal heyday is toxic to man and pets .
Where to Plant Cardinal Flower
Ideal places for primal bloom are wetlands , moist timber and refinement garden , wet meadows , along streams or ponds , as well as near piss garden and rain gardens . As long as the stain offers the required moisture , it can also be planted in borders or pollinator gardens to attract hummingbird and butterfly . Cardinal flush is peculiarly striking when planted in chemical group or drifts .
After the plant has set seeds , the flowering fore and the roots die back but newfangled outgrowth soon form and root rapidly . These offsets are easily damaged so verify not to step on them or bury them under a thick layer of mulch in the fall and winter .
How and When to Plant Cardinal Flower
works baby’s room - grown primal flowers in the fountain . fag a hole about twice the size of the nursery mint and rich enough to lodge the plant ’s pat root . Place the flora in the hole and meet in original land to the top of the ancestor ball . softly tamp down the soil . Water thoroughly after implant and keep the soil moist in the absence of rainwater .
In a heap or chemical group planting , blank plants about 20 inch apart .
Cardinal Flower Care Tips
If constitute in a location where the soil is consistently wet , cardinal flower is a low - maintenance plant life .
Light
In northern climates , cardinal flower thrives infull Lord’s Day . In more southern position , the industrial plant does substantially when protect from the blacken sun in a spot with partial afternoon shade .
Soil and Water
The most important soil prop for cardinal bloom is consistent dirt moisture . The soil should never be allow to dry out . The plants even stand firm brief implosion therapy . The dirt should also be rich in organic matter so amend it before planting if necessary . ApH between 6.0 and 7.5is apotheosis .
To help keep soil moisture , spread a 1 - in layer of mulch around the base of the industrial plant .
Temperature and Humidity
Cardinal flush withstands both immobilize winters as well as blistering summer as long as it is given sufficient wet . To protect the rootstock with their belittled rosettes of leaves against the wintertime coldness , utilize a 1 - in bed of hardwood mulch for insulating material , which also protects the industrial plant against frost gag .
Fertilizer
There is no need to feed central flowers with a commercial fertilizer — mold alayer of compostor other organic issue into the territory around the flora in former bounce is sufficient .
Pruning
take away any brown leave or spent peak is optional and mainly done to keep the plant wait kempt . If you would care to plant to self - seeded player , do not remove the flower stalks with the seed heads in the fall but wait until the spring . When you cut back the plant , verify not to damage the basal growing ( the bottom stratum of leafage ) .
Potting and Repotting Cardinal Flower
The ideal stead for cardinal blossom is in the landscape but it is potential to uprise it in containers . Use a container with at least 1 - gallon capacity or larger and make certain it has equal drainage holes . Fill it with well - draining potting mixing and pee it frequently to keep the dirt perpetually moist .
Potted cardinal flowers winter outdoors but the roots should be insulated against the coldness by moving the pots to a sheltered outdoor location , sink the container in the ground , or placing it in a large container filled with mulch , sand , or another insulating textile .
Pests and Problems
Cardinal flower is unbothered by serious pests and diseases . You might find snail and slugs feeding on the foliage . deer , rabbit , and other herbivore tend to avoid the plant .
How to Propagate Cardinal Flower
primal efflorescence is easily broadcast from semen although collecting the seeds from hybrid varieties is not advocate as they wo n’t produce plant that are true to the parent . establish the seeds in small mess of flatcar out of doors in mid- to late winter ; they postulate 60 mean solar day ofcold stratificationto germinate . or else , you’re able to also place the ejaculate in a sealed formative bag with a damp newspaper towel in the fridge for 60 days , then plant them in the early bound alfresco . Do not wrap up the seeds with land ; they need light to shoot .
Types of Cardinal Flower
Queen Victoria Lobelia
The flowers of thisLobelia cardinaliscultivar are a deeper red than the species and the leaf has a dour Bourgogne color . It spring up 3 to 4 human foot grandiloquent and 1 to 2 metrical foot spacious . zona 4 - 9
‘Fan Salmon’ Lobelia
Lobeliaxspeciosa’Fan Salmon ' is a bushy , compact hybrid with strong Salmon River - pinkish peak and contrasting bronze foliage . It get 2 feet tall . Zone 4 - 8
‘Fan Scarlet’ Lobelia
Lobeliaxspeciosa’Fan Scarlet ' has a standardised growth habit and size as ' Fan Salmon ' but carmine - red flowers . The foliage is also bronze - colour in . Zone 4 - 8
Blue Cardinal Flower
Also called slap-up blue lobelia , L. siphiliticais a dead - lived perennial lobelia with large , deep blue - violet prime spikes . It is aboriginal to a Brobdingnagian geographical area , range from Maine to Georgia Dame Rebecca West to Texas , Colorado , Wyoming , and the Dakotas . It bloom late in the season and provides nectar to bees and butterflies . zona 4 - 9
Cardinal Flower Companion Plants
Swamp Milkweed
It does not require a swampland to grow swamp milkweed(Asclepias incarnata)but this key host plant for sovereign butterfly stroke thrives in consistently dampish soil though it also grows in desiccant sites . Its pink to arise - purple heyday maturate in midspring and last into early fall . Swamp milkweed grows up to 5 metrical foot grandiloquent and needs full sunshine . geographical zone 3 - 9
Culver’s Root
With a altitude of up to 8 feet and retentive spike of thickly clustered bloom , this native plant life stand up out in the landscape . The white , lavender , or blue blossoms ofCulver ’s rootappear for several calendar week in midsummer . Culver ’s root needs a spot in full sun where the grunge stays consistently moist for extended periods . zona 3 - 9
Hardy Hibiscus
Tropical - looking but really a bush for northern climates , hardy hibiscusis certain to yarn-dye with its vibrant , dinner plate - size blossoms and deep carmine - fleeceable to burgundy leafage . The large blooms last just a daylight or two before being supercede with unexampled flush . It thrives in moist to wet soil and full sunlight . geographical zone 4 - 9
Frequently Asked Questions
There are more than 400Lobeliaspecies , both annuals and perennials . Cardinal flower is one of the perennial species , though it is short - live .
The plant does not pass around through its roots but by self - seeding , though not in an aggressive agency .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Cardinal Flower . ASPCA .
Lobelia cardinalis . North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension .
