You will receive 5 Dormant Bare root systems with all foliage trimmed off to the root ball.

Common Name: cardinal flower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Campanulaceae
Native Range: Americas
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 2.00 to 4.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Scarlet red, white or rose
Sun: part sun to shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize, Rain Garden
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer, Wet Soil


Culture

Easily grown in rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Needs constant moisture. Tolerates brief flooding. Soils should never be allowed to dry out. Tolerates full sun in northern climates, but appreciates part afternoon shade in hot summer climates of the lower Midwest and South. Root mulch should be applied in cold winter climates such as St. Louis to protect the root system and to prevent root heaving. Mulch will also help retain soil moisture.
Noteworthy Characteristics

Lobelia cardinalis, commonly called cardinal flower is a Missouri native perennial which typically grows in moist locations along streams, sloughs, springs, swamps and in low wooded areas. A somewhat short-lived, clump-forming perennial which features erect, terminal spikes (racemes) of large, cardinal red flowers on unbranched, alternate-leafed stalks rising typically to a height of 2-3' (infrequently to 4'). Tubular flowers are 2-lipped, with the three lobes of the lower lip appearing more prominent than the two lobes of the upper lip. Finely-toothed, lance-shaped, dark green leaves (to 4" long). Late summer bloom period. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, but not cardinals. White and rose colored forms are also known.

Genus name honors Matthias de l'Obel (1538-1616), French physician and botanist, who with Pierre Pena wrote Stirpium Adversaria Nova (1570) which detailed a new plant classification system based upon leaves.

Specific epithet means scarlet or cardinal red.

Common name is in reference to the red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals.
Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Snails and slugs may damage the foliage. Some hybrid lobelias have not performed well at the Kemper Center in St. Louis for reasons that at this point are unclear. Foliage contains alkaloids which are very toxic to humans if ingested.
Garden Uses

Effective in moist areas of woodland/shade gardens, wet meadows or along streams or ponds. Water gardens. Rain garden. Also adds late summer bloom and height to borders as long as soils are kept uniformly moist.


All my plants are grown in my own personal gardens, ponds, and woodlands. I do replenish and update my gardens with bulbs and plants purchased from various nurseries. All my plants are grown in my own personal gardens, ponds, and woodlands. I do replenish and update my gardens with bulbs and plants purchased from various nurseries. I ship all plants BARE ROOT, meaning your plants will be freshly dug the morning I send to you, wrapped in wet toweling, then placed in plastic zip bags for shipping. I also trim the plants back for better shipping, and less transplant shock once you get them planted. Please contact me right away if you have any questions or concerns. Once received, please plant immediately. Any remaining foliage should be expected to wilt or wither when transplanting... THIS DOES NOT MEAN PLANTS ARE DEAD. Most plants/roots need several weeks to bounce back after transplanting.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
1) I DO USE PLASTIC ZIP BAGS FOR SAFER SHIPPING

2) ALL PLANTS WILL BE TRIMMED FOR SHIPPING. MOST PLANTS WILL HAVE SOME DIRT OR MUD (ESPECIALLY POND PLANTS CAN TEND TO HAVE MUDDY ROOT SYSTEMS)

3) PLANTING AND GROWING INFORMATION IS STATED IN EACH LISTING, TO BE SPECIFIC TO THE PLANT/PLANTS YOU ARE PURCHASING. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE SENT WITH YOUR ORDER SHIPMENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, AS I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO HELP FURTHER.

4) ALL PLANTS SHIPPED BARE ROOT. NONE WILL BE SENT POTTED.

5) PICTURES ARE OF PLANTS IN FULL BLOOM. YOU WILL RECEIVE PLANTS THAT HAVE BEEN TRIMMED OR CUT BACK FOR BETTER TRANSPLANTING SUCCESS, AND LESS STRESS IN SHIPPING TO YOU.

6) MOST PLANTS WILL BE SHIPPED IN SMALL, FLAT RATE, USPS PRIORITY MAIL, BOX. Larger Orders will ship in Medium or Large Flat Rate Priority boxes.