Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'
cardinal flower 'Queen Victoria'
'Queen Victoria' is a short-lived herbaceous perennial to 90cm in height, with beetroot-coloured, oblong leaves and bright scarlet, two-lipped flowers in long terminal racemes
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Purple | ||
| Autumn | Red | Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Campanulaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Lobelia can be annuals, perennials or shrubs, with simple leaves and showy 2-lipped flowers that may be solitary or in racemes or panicles
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil such as a bog garden in full sun or partial shade. Protect with a dry winter mulch; can be short-lived
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut down faded flower spikes in autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to crown rot
Get involved
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