Mertensia virginica en masse. — Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) basal offshoots

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) terminal racemes and leaves

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) 5 stamens united in a red filament tube surrounding the style and a 2-lobed stigma

Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) buds and flowers in August

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) dehisced 2-cell capsules

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Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic This lovely wildflower, a hummingbird favorite, shines with brilliant scarlet flowers. Its natural habitat is the floodplain forests, freshwater marshes, 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 Showy, tubular, bilabiate (2-lobed upper lip/3-lobed lower lip) flowers, with five stamens united into filament tube and anther tube, bloom in terminal racemes July to Oct; ovoid seed capsules follow Basal offshoots; short-lived so allow to self-seed Attributes Tolerates wet soil and rabbits; no serious pests or diseases; slugs may damage foliage; deer seldom severely damage All parts are poisonous–toxic to humans if eaten in large quantities; toxic to dogs, cats, livestock Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Humus-rich soil Canna cultivars Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Crocosmia - Coppertip Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Gladiolus - Gladiola Partial shade preferred in warmer climates; requires constant moisture Lychnis chalcedonica - Maltese Cross Divide clumps in spring or fall; do not cover basal rosettes with leaves or mulch in winter Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife Use in butterfly, hummingbird, rain, or woodland gardens or near fresh water’s edge Pentas lanceolata - Egyptian Star Flower (annual) Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 *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 the floodplain forests, freshwater marshes, and wet meadows throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Virginia Native Plant Society honored Cardinal Flower as Wildflower of the Year in 1991.

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

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