Lobelia Splendens 'Queen Victoria'

Cardinal Flower, Lobelia Splendens

Lobelia splendens ‘Queen Victoria’ (Cardinal Flower) is a bold, upright perennial with rich burgundy to bronze-red foliage and vivid scarlet-red flower spikes that bloom from midsummer into early fall. It is especially valued for its dramatic foliage contrast, strong vertical presence, and excellent attraction to hummingbirds and butterflies. Sources sometimes list this plant as Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’ or Lobelia fulgens ‘Queen Victoria’, so the naming can vary in the trade.

Type: Perennial
Mature Size: 12–18" W × 24–36" H
USDA Zones: 5a–9b
Form: Upright, clumping

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Rich, moist to wet, well-drained soils; moderate to high water, prefers consistently moist soil
Bloom Time / Length: Midsummer to early fall; long-lasting (about 4–8 weeks)

Wildlife: Hummingbirds, butterflies

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for rain gardens, pond edges, moist borders, and pollinator plantings. The dark foliage and bright red flowers create strong contrast in the landscape, and it works especially well in groups or as a vertical accent in consistently moist sites.

Care:
Keep soil evenly moist and do not allow plants to dry out in summer. Mulch helps retain moisture and keep roots cool. Best performance comes in moisture-retentive soil with protection from severe drought stress. 

Plant type

Perennial

Height

24-36''

Width

12-18"

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Bloom time

Early Fall, Late Summer, Mid Summer

Flower color

Red

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Clay, Moist well-drained, Rich, Wet Area

Landscape use

Mass Planting, Pollinator garden, Water Garden, Wetlands erosion control, Woodland Gardens

Shape

Clumping, Upright

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No