Lobelia x speciosa 'Fan Scarlet'

Fan Scarlet Lobelia

Lobelia × speciosa ‘Fan Scarlet’ (Hybrid Cardinal Flower) is a compact, upright perennial with bronzy to burgundy-tinged foliage and dense spikes of vivid scarlet-red tubular flowers from midsummer into fall. It is valued for its strong basal branching, long bloom season, and excellent hummingbird appeal. The trade also associates this plant with the older name ‘Fan Scharlach.’  

Type: Perennial
Mature Size: 6–12" W × 18–24" H
USDA Zones: 6a–9b
Form: Upright, clumping  

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Rich, moist to wet, well-drained soils; moderate to high water, prefers consistent moisture
Bloom Time / Length: Midsummer through fall; long-lasting (6–10 weeks)  

Wildlife: Hummingbirds, butterflies  

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for moist borders, rain gardens, mixed perennial beds, and containers. Its compact habit, bronzy foliage, and bright scarlet flower spikes make it especially effective in small groupings or as a vertical accent in late-season plantings.

Care:
Keep soil evenly moist, especially in sunny sites. Plant in fertile, well-drained soil, deadhead if desired for a tidier look, and protect from prolonged drought for best flowering. Some sources describe it as hardy perennial, while others note it may be treated more like a short-lived perennial or annual in colder areas, so winter performance can vary by climate and drainage. 

Plant type

Perennial

Height

18-24"

Width

6-12'

Hardiness zones

6–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Fall, Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Summer

Flower color

Red

Leaf color

Dark Red

Fall color

Dark Red

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich, Wet Area

Landscape use

Border, Mass Planting, Woodland Gardens

Shape

Clumping, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No