CARDINAL
FLOWER - PERENNIAL LOBELIA
Family CAMPANULACEAE
Lobelia species
Perennial
A genus of plants all native to North America.
Lobelia cardinalis, the Cardinal Flower, is also known
as the Indian Pink.
On the upper portion of the three- to four-feet
stems are borne in a long spike flowers of bright
cardinal-red.
Lobelia fulgens, from Mexico, has bright scarlet flowers
whose rich colouring is enhanced by the rich purple
of the foliage; its height is one to three feet.
There are a number of attractive garden forms
of both these species.
Lobelia syphilitica is a vigorous herb of two to three
feet, with blue or purple flowers. Lobelia tupa, from
Chile, four to six feet, has larger and more hairy
foliage than the foregoing and bears in late summer
spikes of blood-red with the hooded lip turning
downwards.
In a sunny or partially shaded position where
the soil is rich and moist these plants will grow
well, especially if leafmould is added, but it
is necessary to provide protection by means of
a bracken covering in winter.
Propagate by cuttings in the spring or from seed.
The flowering season is in late summer.
See also : Lobelia
Perennial
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