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colorful fall leaves of rhus aromatica
Rhus aromatica ‘Gro-Lo’ (Fragrant Sumac) Photo © Mary Free
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Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) basal offshoots
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) terminal racemes and leaves
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) buds and flowers in August
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) 5 stamens united in a red filament tube surrounding the style and a 2-lobed stigma
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) in landscape at Longwood Gardens in August. Photo © 2015 Elaine Mills
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) racemes at Glencarlyn Library Community Garden
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) developing capsules enclosed in calyxes; stem with a few short hairs
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) mature fruit

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Tried and True Native Plant Selections Cardinal Flower for the Mid-Atlantic This lovely wildflower, a hummingbird favorite, shines with brilliant scarlet flowers. Its natural habitat is floodplain forests, swamps, and wet meadows throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.* The Virginia Native Plant Society honored Cardinal Flower as Wildflower of the Year in 1991. Perennial Flowers,** Developing Fruit, Basal Rosettes Height: 2–6 feet Spread: 1–2 feet Bloom Color: Red Characteristics Clump-forming perennial w/ rigid, erect, leafy stems Alternate, lanceolate, irregularly serrate, mostly glabrous leaves; petioles reduced upward Protandous, tubular, bilabiate flower (2-lobed upper lip/3-lobed lower lip) w/ 5 fused stamens forming tube around style & 2-lobed stigma; apical racemes bloom July to Oct; broadly ovoid capsules follow Basal offshoots; short-lived so allow to self-seed Attributes Tolerates wet soil and rabbits; no serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage except for young plants All parts poisonous to humans if eaten in large quantities; also toxic to cats, dogs, horses, etc. Attracts hummers & swallowtails to nectar, Halictid bees to pollen; larval host to ~6 lepidopterans Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Humus-rich soil Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Excellent Replacement for Canna cultivars Crocosmia - Coppertip Water Requirements: (consistently) Moist, Wet Gladiolus - Gladiola Afternoon shade preferred in warmer climates Divide clumps in spring or fall Place mulch under the basal leaves; keep basal rosettes free of leaves, debris, or other cover in winter Lychnis chalcedonica - Maltese Cross Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife Pentas lanceolata - Egyptian Star Flower (annual) Use in hummingbird, rain, or woodland gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–9b *It is native to DC and common in DE. It is present throughout MD and PA. It is frequent throughout VA. ** A ruby-throated hummingbird sipping nectar. developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Bill Buchanan (top), John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, by Mary Free (middle), Shade Garden, and by Elaine Mills (bottom), U.S. National Arboretum

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)

This lovely wildflower, a hummingbird favorite, shines with brilliant scarlet flowers. Its natural habitat is floodplain forests, swamps, and wet meadows throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.* The Virginia Native Plant Society honored Cardinal Flower as Wildflower of the Year in 1991.

*It is native to DC and common in DE. It is present throughout MD and PA. It is frequent throughout VA. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets