• Cardinal Flower plant producing brilliant scarlet-red blooms
  • Cardinal Flower plant producing brilliant scarlet-red blooms
  • Cardinal Flower plant producing brilliant scarlet-red blooms
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Eden Valley Seeds

Cardinal Flower Seeds – Lobelia Cardinalis Perennial Red Wildflower

Cardinal Flower Seeds – Lobelia Cardinalis Perennial Red Wildflower

$16.99 USD
$16.99 USD
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Key Features

  • Produces striking scarlet-red flowers arranged along tall, upright flower spikes.

  • Features attractive green foliage with an elegant, upright growth habit.

  • Herbaceous perennial that returns under suitable growing conditions.

  • Beautiful addition to cottage gardens, borders, rain gardens, and pond edges.

  • Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

Growing Benefits

  • Garden Beauty: Adds brilliant red color to summer and autumn landscapes.

  • Pollinator Attraction: Provides nectar that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

  • Natural Landscaping: Enhances rain gardens and moisture-loving garden spaces.

  • Perennial Growth: Returns seasonally in suitable climates and growing conditions.

  • Garden Versatility: Complements woodland gardens, pond edges, and flower borders.

Seed Specifications

  • Common Name: Cardinal Flower, Scarlet Lobelia, Red Lobelia

  • Botanical Name: Lobelia cardinalis

  • Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial wildflower

  • Colors: Brilliant scarlet red flowers with green foliage

  • Height: Approximately two to four feet

  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

  • Soil: Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive soil

  • Water: Consistently moist to wet soil

  • Germination Time: Variable; cold-moist stratification can improve germination

  • Sowing Depth: Surface sow; seeds require light to germinate

  • Spacing: Allow approximately twelve to eighteen inches between plants

  • Growing Zones: USDA Zones three through nine

  • Flowering/Maturity: Summer to early autumn; flowering time varies with climate

  • Uses: Flower borders, rain gardens, pond edges, wildlife gardens, and pollinator gardens

Growing Tips

  • Keep the soil consistently moist because Cardinal Flower does not tolerate prolonged dryness.

  • Surface-sow seeds and provide adequate light for successful germination.

  • Choose a location with morning sunlight and partial afternoon shade in hot climates.

  • Remove spent flower stalks if you want to manage self-seeding.

Seed Storage

Store Cardinal Flower seeds in a cool, dry, and dark location. Keep them in a sealed, moisture-resistant container or paper seed packet. Protect seeds from direct sunlight, excessive humidity, and heat. Label the container with the plant name and storage date.

Unique Facts About Cardinal Flower Seeds

  • Cardinal Flower gets its name from its brilliant red blossoms, which resemble the red robes traditionally worn by cardinals.

  • Its tubular flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, which help pollinate the plant.

  • Each mature flower stalk produces small capsules containing numerous tiny seeds.

  • Cardinal Flower naturally grows in wetlands, marshes, streambanks, and other consistently moist habitats.

Growing Instructions

Planting Season

Start seeds indoors during late winter or early spring. Outdoor sowing can also be done in autumn or after suitable cold-moist seed treatment.

Sowing

Use a fine-textured, moist seed-starting mix in shallow trays or pots. Scatter the tiny seeds evenly across the soil surface.

Sowing Depth

Do not bury the seeds. Press them gently against the growing medium because Cardinal Flower seeds need light to germinate.

Spacing

Once seedlings are established, transplant them with adequate room for their mature growth. Allow approximately twelve to eighteen inches between plants.

Sunlight

Grow Cardinal Flower in full sun or partial shade. In warmer climates, afternoon shade helps protect plants from excessive heat.

Soil

Choose rich, fertile soil that retains moisture. A humus-rich growing medium is ideal. The soil should remain consistently moist throughout the growing season.

Watering

Water regularly to prevent the soil from drying out. Cardinal Flower prefers moist to wet conditions, particularly during warm weather and active growth.

Germination

Keep the growing medium consistently moist and provide indirect or gentle light. Cold-moist stratification for approximately three months can help improve germination. Germination time varies depending on seed condition and growing conditions.

Transplanting

Transplant seedlings once they have developed several true leaves and are strong enough to handle. Move them carefully to avoid disturbing their delicate roots.

Fertilizing

Incorporate compost or well-rotted organic matter into the soil before planting. Apply a balanced, gentle fertilizer only when needed.

Plant Care

Maintain consistent soil moisture and remove competing weeds. Protect young plants from drying winds and excessive heat. Avoid covering the basal foliage with thick layers of fallen leaves or mulch.

Flowering and Maturity

Cardinal Flower generally blooms from summer into early autumn. Its upright flower spikes produce brilliant red blossoms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Established plants may also produce offsets and self-seed under favorable conditions.