Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Plant Names
Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal Flower
Lobélie cardinale
Synonyms
lobélie du cardinal
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: Red
Bloom Period: Jul - Sep
Max Height: 4.0 feet
Max Width: 1.4 feet
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Suitable for wetland garden
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Ecological Benefits:
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Deer resistant
Rabbit resistant
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Fun Facts
Cardinal flower is one of the most brilliant native wildflowers, producing vivid scarlet flower spikes from mid-summer into fall. It thrives in consistently moist to wet soil and is perfect for rain gardens, pond edges, and damp borders.
One of the very best native plants for hummingbirds. Also attracts bumble bees, large native bees, swallowtail butterflies, and hummingbird moths.
Requires reliable moisture.
Short-lived but self-seeds modestly.
Leave flower stalks until seeds mature.
Excellent for rain gardens.
Can tolerate occasional flooding.
CAUTION
Contains alkaloids that may cause stomach upset if eaten by people, dogs, cats, or livestock. Serious poisoning from garden exposure is uncommon.
One of the very best native plants for hummingbirds. Also attracts bumble bees, large native bees, swallowtail butterflies, and hummingbird moths.
Requires reliable moisture.
Short-lived but self-seeds modestly.
Leave flower stalks until seeds mature.
Excellent for rain gardens.
Can tolerate occasional flooding.
CAUTION
Contains alkaloids that may cause stomach upset if eaten by people, dogs, cats, or livestock. Serious poisoning from garden exposure is uncommon.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Lobelia cardinalis
No butterfly data available for this plant.
Specialized Bees Supported by Lobelia cardinalis
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- Asclepias incarnata
Swamp Milkweed
Asclépiade incarnate - Calamagrostis canadensis
Bluejoint Reedgrass
Calamagrostide du Canada - Lilium michiganense
Michigan Lily
Lis du Michigan - Lysimachia ciliata
Fringed Yellow Loosestrife
Lysimaque ciliée - Mimulus ringens
Square-stemmed Monkeyflower
Mimule à fleurs entrouvertes
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
- Delphinium (Delphinium)
- Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
- Iris (Iris Cultivars)
- Canna (Lily)
- Lobelia cardinalis (Red Cardinal Cultivar)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow by February
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: September
- Harvesting indicator:
- Pods are brown, seeds are dark, and crisp, and little stem connecting the pod to the main stem is brown (not green)
- Harvesting:
- Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
- Seed viability test:
- No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: Half of one, 1/32 teaspoon
- Seed storage:
- Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- Remove non-seed material
- Harvesting video: Watch here
Toxicity Notes
Toxic to mammals if ingested.