Lobelia fulgens (Cardinal Flower)

About

Lobelia fulgens is a perennial herbaceous species in the Campanulaceae, defined by upright racemes of bright red, tubular flowers. Leaves are lanceolate with toothed margins and can reach substantial length beneath the flowering stems. The plant naturally occupies wet ground and often grows beside streams or in boggy soil. Flowering in the UK is from June to September.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lobelia cardinalis

About the genus

Lobelia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Campanulaceae comprising 444 species, with a subcosmopolitan distribution primarily in tropical to warm temperate regions of the world, a few species extending into cooler temperate regions. They are known generally as lobelias.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lobelia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lobelia

In the garden

Lobelia fulgens belongs to the bellflower family Campanulaceae and is native to the Americas, where it is typically found in riparian zones, riverbanks, bogs and shaded, waterlogged woodland. It can occur close to open water and is sometimes seen with parts of the plant submerged while the flower spikes emerge above the surface. Leaves are lance-shaped with toothed edges and the blooms are borne in erect racemes. Establish Lobelia fulgens where the soil remains consistently moist; locations that mimic riverbanks or pond margins are appropriate. It tolerates damp shade as well as sunnier spots provided the root run does not dry out. Expect flower spikes to rise above the foliage and to carry individual flowers up to a few centimetres across, giving a summer-through-early-autumn display from June to September. In a UK garden use it at pond edges, in rain gardens and in damp mixed borders or along stream features, allowing room for upright racemes. In very wet sites plants may grow slightly in the water with their flower spikes projecting above the surface, so plan positions where that habit will be acceptable.

More in the Lobelia genus

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