Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis

Outstanding vivid winged scarlet flowers on slender spikes from August through September, basal rosette of 1-4" leaves all year, short-lived perennial that forms rosettes of new plants from the base, does well along ditches or streams, does not tolerate being completely covered by leaves or mulch all winter, will self sow in favorable conditions, attracts hummingbirds like crazy, average to moist soil, morning sun to shade, 2-5' tall. It’s downright startling to encounter a bright patch of these ‘humming’ with hummingbirds in the deep woods! Perennial.

Zone 2a -9b

Native range: s. New Brunswick, s. Ontario, Minnesota, & Nebraska, south to Florida, Texas, s. California & into Mexico. Rare in FL & NY