I was completely shocked when my Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower) plants started blooming around the yard starting in late July. It’s been such a dry year, and these plants appreciate ample moisture. I had already resigned myself to losing some or all of them since I haven’t exactly been diligent about watering my perennials this summer during the drought.
These plants are hummingbird magnets, and other than needing ample moisture, they are no-fuss—no diseases or pests bother them. And as a bonus they grow happily in light shade. One of my clumps only gets about 2 hours of sun per day and the flower stalks still don’t need staking.
Lobelia cardinalis plants grow 2-3 feet tall with scarlet-red flowers, and they are hardy in Zones 3-9.
