Melinda's Garden Moment Radio Tips
Melinda Myers
Nationally known gardening expert, TV/Radio host, author & columnist with over 30 years of horticulture experience and tons of gardening information to share! www.melindamyers.comMelinda's Garden Moment videos will help you create that beautiful landscape you’ve always wanted. Each week throughout the growing season, a new gardening video will be added right here, so be sure to stop back. You can also watch Melinda’s Garden Moments on your local network TV station affiliate.
Brighten the summer garden with spires of bright red blooms of cardinal flowers and the hummingbirds and butterflies they attract.
This North American native is hardy in zones 3 to 9 and can be found growing in swamps, along streams and in low woodland areas. It grows best in rich moist to wet soil and full sun to partial shade. Give it a bit of afternoon shade if your summers are very hot.
Mulch the soil surface with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic materials. This keeps the roots cool and moist in summer and helps prevent frost heaving in regions where the soil is subject to freezing and thawing.
Grow cardinal flower in meadow, rain, natural and even formal gardens as long as the soil remains moist. And if you have tried growing this plant and failed, give it another try in a more suitable location.
A bit more information: The cardinal in the common name of Lobelia cardinalis refers to the red in the robes of the Roman Catholics cardinals, not the bird.