How do you care for Lobelia cardinalis?

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Lobelia cardinalis prospers in shaded to partly sunny exposures with moist humus rich soil. Plants tolerate sunny sites if sufficient moisture is present. The species adapts to sandy loam and gravelly or clay soil but will not tolerate drought.

Is Lobelia cardinalis perennial?

Lobelia cardinalis, commonly called cardinal flower is a Missouri native perennial which typically grows in moist locations along streams, sloughs, springs, swamps and in low wooded areas.

Does cardinal flower grow back every year?

Allowing your cardinal flowers to reseed themselves is ideal. This ensures that they will continue to come back every year, full and beautiful. Dividing your plants every two to three years will also help prolong life and create more plants.

Is Lobelia cardinalis invasive?

Special characteristics: non-aggressive. non-invasive. native to North America – Wet places in eastern North America.

Do lobelia come back every year?

There are many types of Lobelia. Some are annuals and some are perennials and some are annuals only in northern climates. Annuals will usually self-seed and come back the next year, while perennials will re-sprout from the dormant plant in spring.

Does cardinal flower do well in containers?

Cardinals can also be grown in containers that are set in a tray of water on a patio or deck to bring the beauty of the flowers—and the hummingbirds—up close for enjoyment.

Is Lobelia cardinalis Hardy?

Extremely hardy, low care, and fairly pest and disease-free, Cardinal Flower tends to be short-lived, although it may self-seed in ideal growing conditions (without becoming invasive)! Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 1-2 ft.

How do you winterize a cardinal flower?

Bring potted cardinal flowers indoors and drain the excess water from the pots. Store them in a refrigerator or other very cool spot where the crowns won’t freeze until spring. Water enough to keep the soil soggy to prevent them from drying out.

How do you winterize lobelia?

Even overwintering Lobelia plants indoors is no guarantee they will re-bloom in spring since these are short lived plants. Place them in indirect but bright light, away from drafts. Water them infrequently but check every so often, especially if they are near a heat source which will dry soil quickly.

How do you prune Lobelia cardinalis?

Give the plant a light trim with a pair of scissors when it needs a bit of tidying. This includes trimming to remove spent blossoms. For spiky types, wait until the entire spike has faded before clipping out the stems. Cut back the plant by half or more at the end of its bloom period.

Will lobelia survive the winter?

It is not hardy in cold temperatures and will not survive being frozen. The Lobelia x speciosa varieties are perennials. These are hardy to 5 to 14 degrees F. (-15 to -10 C.).

Will cardinal flower spread?

The cardinal flower’s natural range is New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario southward to Florida and Texas and across the southern plains and mountain states to California.