Willy World: Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis)

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Topic: Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis)

Bill
The Garden Helper

posted

The intensely bright red flower spikes of the Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) serve as a beacon to the hummingbirds and butterflies who dine on the flower's nectar. The plant itself also acts as a host for some species of butterfly larvae.

Cardinal Flowers can be found growing naturally in marsh areas and along wooded stream banks in almost every state except in the Northwest. The plant forms two foot clumps which produce many 2-3 foot, long lasting flower spikes in late summer.
They are easy to grow and care for, but unfortunately are rather short lived and will need to be replaced every 3-4 years.

Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia cardinalis) are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. In most areas, they should be planted in full sun but in hot climates they will require partial shade. The soil must be kept moist or wet at all times. In colder climates, provide a good covering of mulch for winter.

Cardinal Flowers can be propagated by seeds sown in the Fall, division of the plant in early Spring, or softwood cuttings taken at mid-Summer.

NOTE:For Spring planting, the seeds of Lobelia cardinalis require a three month period of cold-moist stratification in the refrigerator prior to sowing.

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'

These are Cedar Hill flowers!

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From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002 | IP: Logged

loz
Garden Pro!

posted

I bought one of them last year and looking at this picture just made me realize it didn't come back up this year.....I seriously had forgotten all about it.

Thanks for the pics Bill...the red looks nice against all of the greenery.

From: Beautiful Western Maryland...zone 6 | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

afgreyparrot
Official Problem Child

posted

I love these plants.....

Me and Brennan dug some of these up somewhere [lala]

last year...and when they came up this year in the hummingbird garden I thought it was a weed (memory problem happening there as usual)...so I pulled them up.
Did the same thing with the wild asters we planted around the pond.

I like to make gardening a lot harder than it needs to be..... [Roll Eyes]