I love the color red and so do hummingbirds and butterflies. Red cardinal flower is a must have plant for hummingbirds and butterfly gardens. The true red color of the blossoms really brightens the yard.  Hummingbirds love the sweet nectar and may actually fight over the plants. The blossoms are held above the plant on two to four foot stems. 

Red cardinal flower likes wet feet so is a must in the water or bog garden. Do you have a spot in your garden that is wet? In the wild you will see red cardinal flower lining stream banks.  This is an attractive plant that can be used to fill in a moist or wet area or even as a late summer attention grabber. The flowers last for weeks from the end of July into September. 

Red cardinal flower prefers a moist soil high in organic matter but will do well in the garden in soil that is well amended with organic matter. Mulch in the summer to retain moisture but be sure not to mulch basal rosettes (leaves on the ground) over the winter as they will rot and kill the plant. 

Plant with Jack-in-the-pulpits, marsh marigold, blue flag iris to have blooms in spring and summer. White turtlehead and green coneflower and great blue lobelia  make good companions while in flower. 

In the vase as a cut flower it looks great with goldenrod and New England aster.