Lobelia cardinalis is an easy-to-grow, North American native perennial whose native range includes 41 of the 50 states, absent only in the far northwest quadrant. Cardinal flower emerges from a flat winter rosette to produce a 4'-5' stalk (height varies with soil moisture), topped with bright red tubular flowers beginning in late summer and continuing into fall...always a favorite of hummingbirds. While it prefers an acidic moist soil, it is amazingly tolerant of a wide range of garden soil conditions. When happy, it should reseed well. Maintenance: This hummingbird favorite is a low maintenance perennial when planted in the correct habitat. The only maintenance we perform is to cut the flowers stalks to the ground when flowering is finished. If you'd like more plants, leave the stalks until seed have dropped, which occurs fairly quickly after flowering ceases. Large clumps can be divided, if you spot a special seedling. Another option for propagation of a selected clone is via flower stalk cuttings, taken before the flowers begin to open. Growing Conditions: In the garden, it prefers wet to very moist soils, although they will also tolerate average moisture garden conditions. They are usually found in very acidic soils, but will also tolerate pH's approaching neutral. Garden Value: In the late summer garden, it provides a very unique vertical element with spikes of red, when very little other than yellow composites are usually in flower. Natural Impact: Cardinal flower is superb for luring hummingbirds into the garden. Butterflies and moths are secondary pollinators.
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