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Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Streamside and rain-garden favorite. Short-lived but self-seeds.

Family

Campanulaceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

2–4 ft

Spacing

1–2 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade, shade

Soil moisture

moist

Soil pH

acidic, neutral, alkaline

Bloom

May, June, July, August, September, October

Bloom colors

red

Wildlife value

songbirds, butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators

Landscape uses

border, rain garden

Native states

AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV