'Vulcan Red' Cardinal Flower (Lobelia)
Perennial
- Native plant with gorgeous red blooms.
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Deer and rabbit resistant.
- Grows well in wet sites - perfect for rain gardens!
- Zones 6-9, sun/part sun, 32″ tall x 14″ wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Cardinal flower
Zone: 6 - 10
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sun) to part sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 24-32" X 10-14"
Flower color: Red
Foliage color: Green and burgundy
Season of interest: Summer
Bloom time: Midsummer, early fall
Features: Wet soils, rain gardens, native, heat tolerant, deer resistant
Uses: Accent, background, native garden, border, cottage garden, cut flower garden, massing, naturalizing, pollinator garden, ornamental, rain garden, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Performs well in full sun (6+ hours sun) if there are adequate moisture conditions but prefers part sun (4-6 hours sun) in dry conditions.
Water: Needs to be watered regularly until established and will perform best if continuous moisture is provided. Will tolerate dry conditions.
Spacing: 1 - 2 feet apart
Fertilizing: Fertilize in spring with an all-purpose garden fertilizer.
Winterizing: Leave foliage standing in winter to help protect the root zone. A layer of mulch around the base of the plant is recommended to hold in moisture.
Maintenance & pruning: In early spring, cut back all old foliage before new growth appears. Deadheading will potentially prolong bloom time and will neaten the appearance of the plant.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.