Lobelia cardinalis aka Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis, also known as the cardinal flower or L. fulgens, is a striking flowering plant in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae. Native to the Americas, it can be found from southeastern Canada all the way down to northern Colombia, with its range covering the eastern and southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. This short-lived perennial grows in clumps, reaching heights of up to 80cm. Its upright stems are adorned with lance-shaped, glossy, bronzy-brown foliage. From mid-summer to mid-autumn, it produces spires of vibrant red, two-lipped, tubular flowers. The cardinal flower is a well-known native wildflower that thrives in garden conditions, particularly in moist areas near ponds or water features. It forms an erect mound of green foliage and showcases taller spikes of scarlet-red blooms during mid to late summer. This plant is highly attractive to both hummingbirds and butterflies. While it is not typically long-lived, it may self-seed in favorable conditions. Clumps can be divided in early spring. Notably, Lobelia cardinalis was honored with a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 1993.