Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis

Cardinal Flower is a perennial for focal point, mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or moist ground, flowering Jul, Aug, Sep.

Where to use it in a border

At around 90 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 45 cm of room to spread, roughly 2 to the metre when planted in a drift. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 9a, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, wet soil, pollinator-friendly plants.

Border Builder uses Cardinal Flower's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
• Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Blue Mistflowerto edge in front
• Common Blue Violetto edge in front
• Golden Ragwortto edge in front
• Red Columbineto edge in front
• Snake's Head Fritillaryto edge in front
• Wild Daffodilto edge in front

Garden styles

Meadow Native Wildlife garden Woodland