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Plant Selector Guide
Lobelia cardinalis (Lobelia, Cardinal Flower)

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Plant Type: Perennial
Uses: Border, Container, Naturalizer, Wildflower/Meadow or Bog
Propagation: Division, Seeds
Habit: Spreading
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade Flower
Flower Color: Red
Blooms: Summer, Autumn
Width: 1.5 ft.
Height: 2 - 4 ft.
Fertility: Moderately Rich, Average
Soil: Neutral, Moist, Well-Drained
Zone: 2 - 9
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies

Hardy Perennial. Erect spikes of red flowers glimmer above mounds of foliage when you grow this native of stream and pond banks. Spreading mounds of Lobelia are also good for container plantings. Does best in full sun or partial shade in a humus-rich, sandy, moist but well-drained soil. Shade is essential in the South and Midwest. Lightly mulch in the winter. To encourage bushy growth, pinch off tops when seedlings are 1" high and you also may remove flower spikes after blooming to produce further growth. Divide in spring. Recommended cultivars are 'Arabella's Vision' which bears brilliant scarlet flowers and 'Twilight Zone' with shell-pink flowers, both developed by Thurman Maness.