Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' (Cardinal Flower)
Cardinal Flower 'Queen Victoria', Water Gladiole 'Queen Victoria', Red Bay 'Queen Victoria', Scarlet Lobelia 'Queen Victoria', Slinkweed 'Queen Victoria', Bog Sage 'Queen Victoria', Hog's Physic 'Queen Victoria', Indian Pink 'Queen Victoria', Lobelia fulgens 'Queen Victoria', Lobelia splendens 'Queen Victoria'
A top performer that is perfect for the late summer garden, Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' (Cardinal Flower) is a popular, upright, clump-forming perennial boasting a profusion of flower spikes densely packed with fiery scarlet, two-lipped blossoms from midsummer to early fall. Borne on erect, alternate-leafed stalks rising above a rosette of lance-shaped, beet-red leaves, this architectural plant adds vertical interest to the landscape. Extremely hardy, low care, and fairly pest and disease-free, Cardinal Flower tends to be short-lived, although it may self-seed in ideal growing conditions (without becoming invasive)!
- Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm).
- Performs best in rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Appreciates some shade from the hot afternoon sun and loves a lot of moisture. Tolerates damp soils and poor drainage. Can be grown in water to 3 in. deep (7 cm).
- A welcomed addition to beds and borders, wild gardens, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, and near ponds or streams.
- A magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial insects, it is deer and rabbit resistant.
- Deadhead for a neat appearance, to encourage rebloom or prevent any undesired reseeding. Pinch back for bushier and more compact plants. Cut back after flowering. Divide plants every 2-3 years.
- Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat as soon as ripe, or by bud cuttings in late summer.
- Native to North America.
- Ingestion may cause discomfort.
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
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Buy Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' (Cardinal Flower)
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Lobelia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
© Martin Ogden /www.teddingtongardener.com
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Lobelia |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |