Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Perennial flower
The reddest red in the native palette. Vertical spikes of brilliant scarlet blossoms shaped precisely for a hummingbird's beak — plant it and you plant a hummingbird feeder that never needs refilling.
The spec sheet.
- Habitat
- Wet meadows, streambanks, seeps, pond edges
- Bloom time
- July – September
- Sun
- Part sun to part shade
- Soil
- Rich, consistently moist to wet
- Moisture
- Moist to wet — do not let dry out
- Height
- 2–4 feet
What it attracts.
The species that visit, feed on, or depend on this plant — and how they use it.
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Nectar source
Primary pollinator — flower is nearly hummingbird-exclusive
Some long-tongued bees & butterflies
Nectar source
Short-lived (2–3 years per plant) but self-sows readily in the right conditions. Don't mulch heavily over the crown — it needs to see winter to reseed. Plant near a hose or downspout.
Xerces Society · Jersey-Friendly Yards · Native Plant Society of NJ
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- Bloom
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- Bloom
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- Perennial flower
- Bloom
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