A New Perennial in the Garden: Cardinal Flower

Last fall I added a couple of new perennials to my gardens.  One of them was a wildflower known as Cardinal Flower or Red Lobelia.  These are Missouri native perennials which typically grow in moist locations along streams, sloughs, springs, swamps and in low wooded areas.  We've had so much rain this summer, the two small starts I planted have multiplied and flourished!

These bright and beautiful flowers were named for the bright 

 red robes worn by Roman Catholic Cardinals.

They also remind me of our pretty red birds that are plentiful here 

in Missouri year round.

(Source)

Although this little butterfly stopped by for visit, most of the pollination for the Cardinal Flower is done by hummingbirds.  I've seen several of our little hummers hanging out here but haven't been able to get a photo of one yet.

These vibrant and lovely blooms won't last very long 

but while they do, they make quite a statement! 

I'm so please they have done well.  Most of my other flowers have had a hard time since the tornado and over 20 inches of rain earlier this summer! 

Have you planted something new this year?  How is it growing?

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