View Larger Cardinal Flower

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    3 3 4 4b 5 5b 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b 9 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 3 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    The vibrant red blooms of the cardinal flower makes it an ideal plant for the shady summer garden. It reseeds readily and is ideal for naturalizing and sharing with friends.

    Purchase

    Seeds available to purchase from Mount Vernon

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    Latin Name

    Lobelia cardinalis


    Family

    Campanulaceae


    Type of Plant

    Perennials Perennials

    Bloom Season

    July - September


    Seasons

    Summer Summer

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 4'
    Max spread Max Spread: 2'

    Uses

  • Flower Border
  • Naturalize
  • Rain Garden

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Shade Part Shade

    Tolerances

  • Deer
  • Rabbit
  • Wet Soil

  • Attracted Wildlife

    Hummingbirds Hummingbirds

    Toxicity

    Do not ingest Do not ingest
    Skin irritant Skin irritant
    Harmful to pets Harmful to pets

    Colors


    Native Range

    North America


    History

    The Marquis de Lafayette wrote to George Washington requesting seeds of the cardinal flower for the King's gardens at Versailles.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington
    Sold at Mount Vernon Sold at Mount Vernon

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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