Plant of the Month · August 2026
Cardinal
Flower
Brilliant red. A love of moisture.
Lobelia cardinalis
Vivid red flower spikes bring late-season color and hummingbird interest to garden spaces that stay consistently moist.
Adapted from a Plant of the Month feature by Delia Cercel
CPRV Environmental Committee · Published August 1, 2026
Light
Sun to part shade
Afternoon shade helps in hot weather.
Soil
Consistently moist
Rich soil that does not dry out.
Season
Late summer
Brilliant blooms can continue into fall.
Get to know the plant
Give a damp garden spot its moment.
Cardinal flower is a dramatic native perennial with a practical preference: moisture. Delia Cercel’s original CPRV feature celebrated its vivid red blossoms and ability to brighten plantings that stay damp.
For neighbors in Colonial Place and Riverview, the lesson is to work with the conditions you have. A reliably moist part of the garden may suit cardinal flower better than the driest, hottest border beside a paved area.
Why we love it
Beauty with a purpose
Unmistakable color
Scarlet flowers rise along upright spikes, adding a strong vertical accent and a clear focal point.
Moisture matters
Keep soil consistently moist. Cardinal flower can tolerate brief flooding, but it should not be allowed to dry out.
Hummingbird appeal
The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds as well as butterflies and other pollinators.
Thoughtful placement
Consider a moist border, a suitable rain-garden location, or the edge of a pond where the soil conditions fit.
Late-season interest
The flower spikes bring color as the summer garden begins to change, helping carry the planting toward fall.
A Norfolk garden note
Morning sun with some afternoon shade is worth considering in hot weather. Observe the soil between rainstorms rather than judging it immediately after rain.
The right plant begins with the right place.
Cardinal flower rewards a thoughtful match between plant and garden conditions. Its red blooms can turn a quiet, damp corner into one of the most memorable parts of the landscape.
Sources & original feature: Delia Cercel’s CPRV plant card in the Environmental & Community Improvement archive; NC State Extension’s cardinal flower profile. Growing information reviewed November 1, 2026. Originally featured in the August 2026 CPRV newsletter.
Good to know
Your questions, answered
Can cardinal flower grow in a dry bed?
It is a poor match for a bed that regularly dries out. Choose a site with dependable moisture and keep the soil evenly moist.
Can cardinal flower grow in partial shade?
Yes. It grows in part shade to full sun, with afternoon shade appreciated in hot summer climates.
Why do gardeners plant cardinal flower for hummingbirds?
Its vivid red, tubular flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and bring wildlife interest to the late-season garden.
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