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!!!!
