Lobelia × speciosa
cardinal flower hybrid
Are clump-forming perennials, often grown as annuals or biennials, with basal rosettes of pale to dark green, bronzy, red-flushed or dark red foliage. In summer and early autumn they produce dense, upright spires of two-lipped, tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple or blue
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Bronze Red Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Pink Purple Red | Bronze Red Green | ||
| Autumn | Blue Pink Purple Red | Bronze Red Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Correct
- Plant range
- NE North America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in deep, fertile, reliably moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks until mid-summer and a low nitrogen fertilizer from then on
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 15-18°C in late winter, or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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