Red Cardinal Flower

The Red cardinal flower, is an American wildflower local to the midwestern region, as well as Michigan and Wisconsin. These Lobelia blooms are tall perennials that flourish in USDA hardy planting zones 1 through 10. Tall spikes of splendid red, trumpet-formed blooms transcend the dull green foliage. Each bloom has three spreading lower petals and two upper petals, all assembled into a tube at the base. Erect verdant stems, frequently in groups, with racemes of blossoms looking like flaring red spires. They add a beautiful bright touch of color to any landscape or floral garden. They deer and rabbit resistant, yet they are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Red Cardinal Flower's Bloom

Developing cardinal blossoms sprout amid summer and in some cases into fall. Many insects have a hard time following the long necks of the trumpet-formed blooms, so cardinal blossoms rely upon hummingbirds for preparation. Cardinal blossoms develop best in an area with morning sun and evening shade, aside from cool zones where they require full sun. They also require a clammy, ripe soil and perform best considering that organic matter is incorporated into the dirt before planting.

Planting Red Cardinal Flower

The mature height of the Red cardinal flower is typically 24 to 48 inches. The seeds must be started indoors, 8 to 10 weeks before the final frost in delinquent winter. You can transfer the red cardinal blossom seedlings outside four weeks after you planted them in the fitting plate, picking a zone with full sun or incomplete shade and rich, loamy and ideally wet soil. For best results, place a 2-to 3-inch layer of natural mulch around the blossoms and water consistently, keeping the dirt always sodden for the bloom amid the developing season. The red cardinal bloom is not dry season tolerant, and performs best with continuously wet soil.

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