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.
 
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