Cardinal flower is an herbaceous, aquatic perennial wildflower that has spires of scarlet blooms from late Summer to Winter. They are mainly pollinated by Hummingbirds, but it attracts a variety of other pollinators too. They are a perfect wildflower addition to any water garden or along the edge of ponds or streams.
How to care for Cardinal Flower
Light. Grows in full sun, part sun or shade.
Water. Keep the soil moist to wet. It is a wetland plant for pond, stream and water-garden edges, but it does not take prolonged flooding.
Soil and feeding. It grows well in sand or loam and prefers acidic soil; in alkaline soil, use Soil Acidifier. Salt tolerance is low, so keep it away from salt spray.
Size. Usually 2–5 ft tall and about 1 ft wide, with flower spikes about 8 inches long.
Problems to watch. It is a short-lived perennial, and some plants die after flowering. Divide established clumps in fall or spring to keep it going.
Good to know. A Florida native. Hummingbirds are its main pollinators, and swallowtails also visit. It roots from 4–6 inch stem cuttings taken before flowering. All parts are poisonous to people and livestock if eaten.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS SS-AGR-398: Native Aquatic and Wetland Plants: Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis · Florida Native Plant Society Plant Database: Lobelia cardinalis
