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Lobelia Cardinalis- Cardinal Flower

Lobelia Cardinalis - Cardinal flower. This is a showy perennial with rich red-rose flowers that bloom from May to October. The flowers grow on erect stems covered with lance-shaped green leaves. Flowers are long and tubular at the base with 2 upper petals that spread out and 3 lower petals. These flowers are often dependent on hummingbirds for pollination because insects have a hard time finding their way to the nectar through the long tubular flowers. It was introduced to Europe in the mid-1620s, where the name cardinal flower was in use by 1629, likely due to the similarity of the flower's color to the vesture of Roman Catholic Cardinals. The Zuni people use this plant as an ingredient of "schumaakwe cakes" and used it externally for rheumatism and swelling. The  Penobscot people smoked the dried leaves as a substitute for tobacco. It may also have been chewed.

 

          40+  seed per pack                

 

Planting Zone:  3 – 9

 

Full Sun / Partial Shade

 

Height: up to 6 feet

 

Width: 1 foot - 2 feet

 

Fragrant

 

Attracts Hummingbirds by the ton, as well as Butterflies and Bees, mainly hummingbirds

 

Heat and cold tolerant

 

Low drought tolerant

 

Resistant to Deer and Rabbit

 

Edible

 

Medicinal: Native Americans made tea from the roots to treat worms, stomach problems,

syphilis, typhoid, colds, nosebleeds, croup, coughs, fevers, headaches, and rheumatism. It was

also used as a love potion/aphrodisiac by finely chopping the roots and mixing into food even

though the plant is POISONOUS if eaten raw.

 

I urge anyone buying seed to do their homework on germination, I have not raised and cannot raise many of these plants as I am sub-tropics here in St Augustine, Florida. All seed are NOT alike!  There are so many different factors in germination and not doing a search is throwing your money away. I want everyone to be successful when growing your flowers from seed it is the most rewarding experience in Gardening and you can do it, if you give the seed what it needs to grow. I always check 3 sites of info to choose how I will go about it. It is not hard to do, if you do it right!

SEED GERMINATION TIP!!!!!!!

ONLY GERMINATE A SMALL PORTION AT A TIME.

DON'T PUT ALL YOUR MONKEYS IN A BARREL.

Good Luck and Happy Planting!!!!

Lobelia Cardinalis- Cardinal Flower

$3.25Price