One of our best-known native wildflowers, the Cardinal Flower adapts well to garden condition, especially in moist areas beside ponds or water features. It forms an upright mound of green foliage, bearing taller spikes of scarlet-red flowers in mid to late summer. Attractive to both hummingbirds and butterflies. Not usually long lived but will sometimes self-seed where happy. Clumps may be divided in early spring. Received a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (1993).
L. fulgens is a moisture-loving plant and cannot grow well if it doesn’t get an adequate amount of water.While regular watering is essential, it should not be left in standing water as it reduces the life of the plant.
While lobelia tolerates full sun in areas where summers are not too hot, such as northern climates, it enjoys some afternoon partial shade or part shade in extremely hot weather.Appreciates part afternoon shade in hot summer climates of the lower Midwest and South.
Fertilize the established and actively growing lobelia plants with a good all-purpose fertilizer, once a month.