Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower

Queen Victoria cardinal flower carries scarlet flower spikes above deep beetroot-burgundy foliage. This short-lived herbaceous perennial suits a reliably moist border, rain garden, pond edge, or bog planting. ## Garden Use Plant it where the upright flower stems can rise above lower companions, or use it in a rain garden where the soil stays damp. The [Royal Horticultural Society’s Queen Victoria profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/86643/lobelia-queen-victoria/details) gives a mature range of 0.5–1 m tall and 0.1–0.5 m wide and describes the distinctive foliage and scarlet flowers. [North Carolina Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lobelia-cardinalis/) notes that cardinal flower blooms from late summer into mid-fall and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. ## Growing Conditions Give it full sun or partial shade and deep, fertile soil that stays consistently moist. It tolerates briefly wet ground, but should not be allowed to dry out. A layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and protects the roots in colder climates. ## Safety The RHS lists this plant as harmful if eaten and a possible skin irritant. Wear gloves when handling it and keep it away from pets that may chew plants. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone damp through warm weather. Cut faded flower spikes down in autumn, and apply a dry winter mulch where winter protection is needed.