Blue Cardinal Flower is actually quite different in growth from its wildflower counterpart. It is a tougher, heftier plant with somewhat coarse, larger leaves, and the flowers appear in the leaf axils, unlike its elegant cousins red flowers that are in leaf-free flower spikes, held high above the plant. But the blue flowers are lovely and plentiful. Best of all, this plant is not as picky as to growing conditions. It is perfectly happy in any perennial garden with half sun to part shade. And it is simple to propagate. Let some of the flower heads go to seed in the fall, and you'll have a dozen new plants coming up next spring.
Blue cardinal flower makes a great background for smaller wildflowers, since several together form a wonderful screen-like clump of towering plants with blue flowers for a long period.
Oh, and the name. The botanical species name, syphilitica, comes from the Native American belief that this plant was a cure for syphillis.
More InformationAssociated SKUs | AM016140 AM014077 (Plant - 3" Pot) AM014076 (Bag of 3) - Out of stock.
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Common Name | Blue Cardinal Flower |
Botanical Name | Lobelia siphilitica Great Blue |
Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Light Requirements | Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade |
Flower Color | Blue |
Mature Height | 24-36" tall. |
Estimated Mature Spread | 10-18" wide. |
Growth Rate | Medium |
Bloom Time | Mid to late summer |
Planting Depth | Crown of plant should rest just at or above the soil surface after watering in. |
Ships As | Potted Plant |
Foliage | Upright stiff green leafy stalks with finely toothed lance shaped leaves. |
Soil Type | Loamy Soil, Clay Soil, Moist/Wet Soil |
Soil Moisture | Average, Moist / Wet, Well Draining |
Tolerates | Wet Sites |
Advantages | Easy To Grow, Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Bee Friendly, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Native, Good For Cut Flowers, Multiplies / Naturalizes |
Additional Information | Plant near ponds, bogs or well draining wet areas. |
Ideal Region | Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West |
Planting Time | Spring / Summer, Fall |
Neonicotinoid Free | |
Poisonous or Toxic to Animals | All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested! |
Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada | No |