Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is truly unforgettable, with its brilliant red blooms and unmatched ability to draw in hummingbirds! It brings bold color to moist woodland edges and rain gardens just when many other plants begin to fade.

Blooming from late July through August, vibrant red tubular flower spikes rise above long, lance-shaped leaves on upright stems. Cardinal Flower thrives best in part sun to part shade with consistently moist to wet soil. While it can tolerate to average moisture levels and full sun, it performs best where the soil never completely dries out.

More than just a striking late-season bloomer, its bright red tubular flowers are especially irresistible to hummingbirds like the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). It is also visited by swallowtail butterflies and many other pollinators seeking late-season nectar. Lobelia cardinalis is both a dramatic garden showpiece and an important contributor to the local ecosystem.