Lobelia Black Truffle

Cardinal Flower

Sorry Sold Out

Deep purple black foliage and bold red flowers.

Add black tie elegance to your garden with the deep purple-black foliage and bold red flowers of this enticing native Cardinal Flower. Dramatic and truly red flower stalks rise from glossy black rosettes of foliage.

Late season and warmer temps bring iridescent maroon foliage. Use like an upright Coleus in a sunny border. A perfect choice for a rain garden.

Note: This is an archive page preserved for informational use.
Cultural and Growing Info is provided below.

Deep purple black foliage and bold red flowers.

Add black tie elegance to your garden with the deep purple-black foliage and bold red flowers of this enticing native Cardinal Flower. Dramatic and truly red flower stalks rise from glossy black rosettes of foliage.

Late season and warmer temps bring iridescent maroon foliage. Use like an upright Coleus in a sunny border. A perfect choice for a rain garden.

Code LOBT

Patent PP25,687

Plant Type Perennials

Species cardinalis

Height Tall 3-4'

Spacing Plant 2-3' apart

Bloom Time Mid-Summer to Early Fall

Sun / Shade Full Sun to Half Sun / Half Shade

Zones 5-8

Soil Type Normal, Clay

Water Needs High

Sold In Plantable Pots (3.5x3.5x4")

Special Features

  • Beneficial for Pollinators
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Good for Cut Flowers
  • Deer Resistant
  • Attracts Hummingbirds

Planting Sites

  • Wet Site Tolerant

Lobelia General Information

Lobelia are perfect for the spot in your garden that just stays too wet for most plants. Spires of colorful hood-like flowers open from bottom to top. Will naturalize along ditches and streams. Butterflies like them too. Idaho has restricted all potted plant material from being shipped into Idaho at this time.

Lobelia Plant Care

Prefers fertile, evenly moist soil. Can be divided every 2-3 years in spring. Allow to self sow. Winter over with stems on. Can be pinched back before flowering to produce more compact plants. May benefit from light winter mulch north of zone 6.

Plantable Pots

Our plants are grown in 3.5x3.5x4” plantable pots. Made from 100% biodegradable coconut husk fibers (coir), these pots have tremendous advantages over plastic pots. With better air exchange, this "breathable" pot fosters robust root growth and reduces transplant shock since you can plant the pots directly in the ground. The pot naturally becomes part of the soil on its own over time—no composting required—and since they're made from a renewable resource that requires very little energy, they're earth-friendly too!

100% Guarantee

We offer a 100% unconditional guarantee for all our perennials to reach you in good condition and to grow. If you're not satisfied, we'll reship or refund immediately. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns—we share your passion for gardening and want your new plants to thrive in your border!

Shipping Details

We use custom, earth-friendly packaging to make sure your order arrives in great condition, and we ship based on the best planting time for your growing zone (see the approximate dates below), unless otherwise indicated at checkout. If you wish, you can indicate a specific ship date during checkout.

Spring

  • Zone 3, 4: Early to Mid May
  • Zone 5: Late April to Early May
  • Zone 6: Mid to Late April
  • Zone 7: Early to Mid April
  • Zone 8: Late March to Early April
  • Zone 9, 10: Late March

Fall

  • Zone 2, 3, 4: Early September
  • Zone 5: Early to Mid September
  • Zone 6: Mid September
  • Zone 7: Mid to Late September
  • Zone 8, 9, 10: Late September to Early October

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