PlantsFlowers
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Red hummingbird flower
ModerateFlowersAlso Rain GardenRain garden
- Light
- Part shade–sun
- Moisture
- Moist–wet
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft
- Spacing
- 18–30 in
- Bloom or harvest
- Flowers Jul–Sep
- How it spreads
- Short-lived clump / seedlings
- What to buy
- Plug or division for reliable residential establishment; seed for larger restoration areas.
- When to plant
- Apr–May; late Aug–Sep, finishing about six weeks before the first frost.
In the design
Leave some stems and seedheads through winter; divide or thin only when needed.
