1. Cardinal Flower – Lobelia cardinalis
(low-BEE-lee-uh kar-dih-NAL-iss)
Family: Campanulaceae (Bellflower Family)
Much of Northern America; in CA, found in San Gabriel, San Bernardino Mountains,
Santa Monica Mtns, Peninsular Ranges, Desert Mountains. Grows in damp places like ditches,
ravines, depressions, stream bottoms, damp shores, meadows and swamps.
Native to:
herbaceous perennial
mature height: 2-4 ft.
mature width: 2-3 ft.
Winter-dormant herbaceous perennial. Large (4-6 inch) leaves are low or in basal rosettes,
alternate, toothed and oblong to lance-shaped. Foliage deep green, though young foliage may be
bronze-tinged.
Short-lived but re-seeds readily. Note: all Lobelia species are toxic to some
degree if eaten.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms late spring to summer. Showy, red flowers in 8 in., terminal spikes. The
flowers have a velvety texture and a tubular shape, with two lips.
Extremely showy, attractive.
Hummingbird pollinated.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Wonderful summer color for the bog garden or near ponds, streams and other
wet places in the garden (like water gardens). Nice plant for backs of irrigated mixed shady beds.
Makes a nice cut flower. Great in containers – place where you can enjoy the hummingbird visits.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native bog plants; red-flowering tropical plants
Attracts: Superb hummingbird plant – one of the best. Also attracts Sulfur Butterflies.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Best in filtered sun to semi-shade; great in dappled sun under trees.
Any, including heavy clays; pH 4.0-8.0
Requires moist or wet soil and can grow in water.
Likes occasional fertilizer
Do not cover with mulch in winter. Divide plants every three years. Plants shortlived but will reseed well. Pinch out first flower spikes to encourage more flower spikes.
Management:
from seed:
need light, warmth; stratification may improve germination
divisions: fall or spring (fairly easy); also softwood cuttings in spring.
Propagation:
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 6, 8, 13, 19
by
2/16/11
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