Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria') is a Missouri native perennial that commands attention with tall spikes of brilliant cardinal red flowers from July through September. This clump-forming beauty reaches 24 to 48 inches tall and thrives in zones 3 to 9, making it hardy enough for cold northern gardens yet adaptable to southern climates. The tubular, two-lipped flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies relentlessly, while the foliage remains unfazed by deer and rabbit browsing. Though somewhat short-lived as perennials go, it's easily grown in consistently moist soil and rewards gardeners with years of dependable, jewel-toned blooms.
1
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-9
48in H x 24in W
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Moderate
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Cardinal Flower's erect spikes of large, iridescent red flowers rise from clumps of alternate-leafed stems like natural fireworks. Hummingbirds cannot resist the tubular blooms, visiting repeatedly throughout the summer and into fall. This native perennial thrives in the wet spots where most plants struggle, tolerating brief flooding and boggy soil that would doom less adapted plants. In cool northern climates, it handles full sun with ease, but in hotter regions it appreciates afternoon shade to prevent stress.
Cardinal Flower thrives in rain gardens and naturalized settings where its tolerance for wet soil becomes an asset rather than a limitation. Plant it along stream edges, in boggy borders, or in any low-lying area that stays consistently moist. The showy red spikes also work beautifully in mixed perennial borders, particularly where you want to draw hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in late winter, surface sowing and pressing them in lightly since they require light to germinate. Maintain soil temperature between 65 and 75°F. Cover with a humidity dome or light sprinkle of vermiculite to retain moisture. Germination typically occurs in 30 to 50 days. Alternately, a cold, moist stratification period may increase germination rates: sow in pots, cover with plastic, refrigerate at 36 to 40°F for 3 to 4 weeks, then move to 70°F warmth.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in consistently moist soil. Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to their final location.
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“Lobelia cardinalis is a native wildflower of Missouri and the eastern United States, where it naturally colonizes moist locations along streams, sloughs, springs, and swamps. The genus itself was named in honor of Matthias de l'Obel, a 16th-century French physician and botanist who helped pioneer a new plant classification system. The 'Queen Victoria' cultivar represents decades of selection work to refine hardiness, vigor, and bloom quality for home gardeners, though specific details of its development are not documented in available sources.”