Description

Key Information:

Soil: Hydric (Wet) – Mesic (Medium)
Sun: Full Sun – Part Sun
Height: 2-5 feet
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Season: July – September

More Details:

Suggested Uses: Cardinal Flower has a showy red spike of flowers that adds a splash of color to rain gardens or shoreline restorations. These plants are fairly short-lived. They should be grown in moist,  sandy soils and should be mulched to conserve moisture and to protect them from harsh winter conditions.  They are very attractive to hummingbirds and make a nice cut flower!

Native Range: Native throughout the U.S. except for the West and the Pacific Northwest. Native to the far southeastern border of Minnesota.

Pollinators: Primarily pollinated by hummingbirds! Also attracts bees, butterflies and moths.

Flowers: The tube-like flowers have 5 petals and 2 lips. The upper has 2 lobes, the lower has 3 lobes. They bloom in a loose cluster along a long tall stem. The 5 stamens make a tube around the style.

Leaves: The 6″ alternate leaves are toothed and oblong to lance shaped.

Name: Named for Matthias von Lobel, a 16th century Flemish herbalist.

More information: USDA plant profile