Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
9/11/03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Cardinal Flower Sets the Shade Garden on Fire with Color
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
There are many fall-blooming perennials that perform well in sunny gardens. Unfortunately, the plant palate of shade-tolerant, fall-blooming perennials is quite limited. When asked, many gardeners may not be able to think of a single plant that has those characteristics. This week's Reiman's Pick, cardinal flower, is one plant on that short list that blooms in late summer or early fall and is shade-tolerant.
Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis, provides height and a brilliant splash of color to shade gardens. The unbranched stems grow 2 to 4 feet tall and are topped with a dense spike of crimson red flowers. Few plants, not even bright-red geraniums, have such an intense color that shouts for attention. Cardinal flower blooms for about three to four weeks, from mid-August through early September.
Cardinal flower is native to the moist woodlands in eastern United States. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 2 - 9. It has an extensive range that stretches from New Brunswick, Canada south to Florida and west to Texas. It grows best in areas that have at least a half a day of shade. Cardinal flower also prefers moist soil conditions. Before planting it, is beneficial to amend the soil with a generous amount of compost, aged manure or peat moss.
The genus, Lobelia, gets is name from the 16th century Flemish botanist, Matthias de L'Obel. Its species name, cardinalis, is Latin meaning "of a cardinal", referring to the brilliant red color of the cardinal. According to some sources, cardinal flower gets its common name from the color and shape of its corolla that resembles the miter on the cardinal. Cardinal flower makes a beautiful backdrop in a shady border when planted in clumps of three or more plants. It can be grown in full sun if given ample water or grown in areas that have consistently moist soil. Cardinal flower thrives and becomes naturalized in moist habitats along the edge of ponds or small streams.
Cardinal flower blooms at an opportune time for butterfly and hummingbird enthusiasts. In late summer, many butterfly species are at the peak of their population and they swarm in large numbers around cardinal flowers. Hummingbirds, especially the ruby-throated hummingbird, feast on the nectar of the cardinal flower before they begin their long, southern migration. As a result, cardinal flower is sometimes referred to as hummingbird flower. The frequent visits from butterflies and hummingbirds ensure that the plants are well-pollinated and an abundance of seed is produced.
The fine, dust-like seed, set in late autumn, will yield several seedlings the following spring. Cardinal flower is a short-lived perennial, with plants living only two to four years, so it is beneficial to allow a few seedlings to grow and replace those that die. If you are interested in growing several new plants next year, collect the seeds in the fall; put them in an envelope and store in an airtight container in a cool location. Late next winter, sow the seed in a seed-starter mix or vermiculite and cover it very lightly. The seedlings can be transplanted into individual pots containing potting soil and later planted in the garden in late spring.
You can see cardinal flower blooming at Reiman Gardens. The red spikes glow like they are on fire, offering a great accent around the water feature in the Town and Country Garden.
To learn more about the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University visit us on the Web at: http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/.
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Editors: Two color photos, suitable for publication, are available at right. Click on each thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The top picture's fullsize photo is 404K and the bottom picture's fullsize photo is 308K. Caption: Cardinal flower 1 |
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| Caption: Cardinal flower 2 |
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