Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) has stunning spikes of beautiful scarlet red flowers on dark green glossy foliage.  It flowers from August to September  just as some of the other pond plants are starting to fade, and is a great source of nectar for bees late in the season.  Also known as Lobelia fulgens the main difference between this and the Lobelia cardinalis ‘Queen Victoria’ is that the latter has beetroot-coloured dark purple leaves and stems.  It has an RHS AGM.

Please note these may be cut back from May onwards, to remove the dominant central stem and encourage thicker bushier growth or to prevent the stems breaking in transit.

Lobelia after Matthias de Lobel plant collector and botanical author; cardinalis deep scarlet

Height: 90cm

Spread: 10-50cm

Planting position: Marginal plant up to 15cm full sun or partial shade.

Form: 2 litre in an aquatic basket