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Red Cardinal Lobelia

Red Cardinal Lobelia

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Cardinal Flower - Lobelia cardinalis

The Cardinal Flower plant is striking in any garden and produces bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Their long, graceful spikes of flowers bring color to wetlands, shade spots, and garden borders.

Planting and Maintenance of Cardinal Flower

The plants are super easy to plant and maintain, so they can be used by any gardener regardless of their experience. They prefer to grow in sluggish, fertile soil and are best grown in shade rather than sun. Sow by loosening the soil, placing the roots, covering them with soil, and watering deeply. They are low-maintenance and require moisture for growth and regular deadheading to maintain long blooming.

Colorful Characteristics

These perennials usually flower during mid-to-late summer, and their ruby-red blooms last for weeks. The plant is dark green with dark green leaves, and its spikes stand out. Once the flowers open, they shrivel up and emerge in pods as a second season of interest. The foliage remains green throughout the season, so the plant does not look overgrown.

The plants are perennials growing upright, and their flower heads reach heights of 2 to 4 feet. Their graceful and tall stature makes them ideal for adding texture to garden beds or naturalized areas. Given time, they will bloom year after year to bring enduring beauty to your garden. 

Pollinator Magnet Plants 

The Red Lobelia, Cardinal Flower, is a plant that various pollinators flock to in its active blooming season. It's slender, tall, and majestic size makes it a favorite for especially rock gardens.TN Nursery has them mature and blooming age ready to ship out to you.

 

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Bare Root Plants
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Bloom Season

Summer

Bloom/Foliage Color icon

Bloom/Foliage Color

Red

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Height at Maturity

Over 12"

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Care

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) thrives in moist, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Keep the soil consistently wet and mulched to retain moisture. Fertilize lightly in early spring. Remove spent flowers to promote more flowers and prevent self-seeding.

Plant Reproduction icon

Plant Reproduction

Cardinal flowers are spread by self-seeding, sending out offshoots, and bending stems.

Planting bare-root perennials is best in any season if they are dormant; we only sell dormant plants. Planting them year-round is also excellent if you can get dormant perennials. When your bare-root perennials arrive, soak the roots in water for a few hours to rehydrate them. Lant by digging a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably and deep enough to place the top portion crown (where the roots meet the stem) at or slightly above ground level. Position the plant in the hole, backfill with native soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots—water well after planting to settle the soil around the plant and eliminate air. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to keep weeds at bay and moisture locked in, keeping the mulch away from the crown. Irrigate plants regularly during the first few weeks of drought; never water in full sun, and water late in the evenings to ensure the roots are established well. Fertilize sparingly in the first year, using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in subsequent years as needed. 

Shipping date depends on the date displayed and chosen when you order from the product's page.

We only accept returns on plants verified dead. If you think your plants have died, we offer a 1 year warranty, please use use this File a Claim Link to verify dead plants and start with return warranty process.

Striking red blooms in Summer
Deep green, lance-shaped leaves
Attracts pollintors like butterflies
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What We Ship

The Benefits of Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are shipped without soil or pots, making them lightweight and easy to handle. They arrive dormant, ready to be planted and thrive as beautiful, healthy additions to your garden.

Cost-Effective

With no heavy pots or soil, you'll save 50-60% on shipping costs, and you can easily plant our plants yourself—no equipment needed, just a spade for digging small holes.

Hassle-Free

Bare root plants are hassle-free because they're lightweight, easy to handle, and require minimal packaging. They establish quickly, saving you time and effort in planting and maintenance.

Better Growth

Bareroot dormant plants are more hardy because they adapt better to new environments, with stronger root systems that establish quickly, leading to greater resilience and improved survival rates in various conditions.

Eco-Friendly

Bare root native plants are environmentally friendly because they promote biodiversity, require less water and maintenance, and support local ecosystems, making them a sustainable choice for eco-conscious gardening

Features
Why You Will Love Our Cardinal Flower

Stunning Visual Impact

Cardinal Flower’s vivid red spikes provide a bold and dramatic splash of color that enhances any landscape. The striking hue creates an eye-catching focal point that adds depth and interest to your garden.

Adds Vertical Interest

With its tall, spiky flowers, Cardinal Flower introduces vertical dimension to flower beds and borders. This height creates a visually appealing contrast, drawing the eye upward and adding structure to your garden.

Thrives in Moist Conditions

Ideal for planting near water features or in damp soil, it excels in moist environments where other plants might struggle. This makes it a great choice for areas prone to wet conditions, ensuring vibrant blooms where others may fail.

Attracts Hummingbirds

Its bright red blooms are a magnet for hummingbirds, bringing lively activity and a touch of nature’s charm. Watching these birds flutter around adds a dynamic and enchanting element to your outdoor space.

Caring Tips

How do I care for my Red Cardinal Lobelia?

Each box contains detailed care instructions and information about your product. But here's the basics.

Care Tips

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) thrives in moist, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Keep the soil consistently wet and mulched to retain moisture. Fertilize lightly in early spring. Remove spent flowers to promote more flowers and prevent self-seeding.

Light Requirements

The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) thrives in partial to full sun but also appreciates some shade, especially in hot climates. It prefers bright, indirect light to ensure vibrant blooms and robust growth.

Hardy Planting Zones

3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9

Customer Reviews

Based on 65 reviews
85%
(55)
12%
(8)
2%
(1)
2%
(1)
0%
(0)
D
Dan Millar
Droopy

2pf the 5 droopy. The other 3 erect. Will see if droopy perk up in the ground and/or see if they grow next spring.

D
David Schoenberger

We’ll see been in the ground a week should I expect them to grow now going into fall or will they grow up in spring?

C
Christopher Paul Boyd

Cardinal Flower

J
Joanne Hartzell
No growth

Even though planted according to directions, my cardinal flowers have not yet grown. I’ll let you know if they do!

B
Betty Wyse
Cardinal flowers

Arrived in good condition. Soaked briefly then planted. I’m hoping for a little growth this fall.