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Cardinal flower 'Bellflower family'

CARDINAL FLOWER

Botanical Name:  Lobelia cardinalis
Plant Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)

Description: This 1-6 ft. perennial has showy, red flowers in 8 in., terminal spikes. Each flower has three spreading lower petals and two upper petals, all united into a tube at the base. Erect leafy stems, often in clusters, with racemes of flowers resembling flaming red spires. The lower portion of the erect stem is lined with lance-shaped leaves.

Growing Conditions: Sun/Part Shade/Shade. Very showy red blooms. Attractive at the edge of a woodland garden. The soil must be kept moist or wet at all times. It can be propagated by bending a stem down into the mud and fastening it with a rock or sticks. 

Bloom Time:  Late, Jul-Sep 
Bloom Color:  Red.

Benefit to pollinators/wildlife: Since most insects find it difficult to navigate the long tubular flowers, Cardinal Flower depends on hummingbirds, which feed on the nectar, for pollination. 

Native Status: US native, PA native

Location in habitat:  Pennsylvania Native Plant Society Demonstration Garden