"Cardinal-flowers kindle their spiral flames, and illuminate the dark nooks among the shrubbery."
...Nathanial Hawthorne, "The Old Manse" Anyone who's ever taken a hike in midsummer woods anywhere in the east probably knows this stunning plant. Cardinal flowers bloom with tall spikes of lipstick red flowers in August in wet American woodlands all the way from Canada to Louisiana.
"Queen Victoria" at about 3 feet is a little shorter than the native, but the color is the same--brilliant red. You'll love these vivid flowers as much as the hummingbirds. Pick a moist spot in sun or partial shade for yours.
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Botanical Name
: Lobelia cardinalis
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Common Name
: Cardinal Flower
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Color
: Towers of flaming red flowers on bronze foliage
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Spread/Width
: 12-24" wide
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Bloom Time
: Mid to late summer
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Sun/Shade
: Partial shade
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Soil Preferences
: Requires moist soil.
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Advantages
: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
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