Perch Supply
Georgia · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Georgia

Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil. Native to Georgia, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Georgia
Hardiness zones
USDA 7a–9a
What birds get from it
nectar
Georgia birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
2

Growing conditions in Georgia

Humid subtropical, with cooler mountains in the north and a warm coastal plain in the south.

Hot, humid summers; bluebirds can raise three broods but boxes in full sun overheat.

Georgia birds that use Cardinal flower

Winter visitors (1)

Rufous Hummingbird

Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north.

Nesting season it supports in Georgia

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Cardinal flower:

  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird — April–August
  • Orchard Oriole — April–June

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in Georgia

Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Nectar through spring and summer.

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans · Vine

Large orange trumpets through midsummer.

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Coral bean
Erythrina herbacea · Shrub

Red tubular spring flowers for early hummingbirds.

Red buckeye
Aesculus pavia · Shrub

Blooms right as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

High-fat fall fruit critical before migration and winter.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Georgia?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Georgia. Georgia spans USDA 7a–9a.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Georgia?

In Georgia, Cardinal flower supports 3 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Orchard Oriole, Rufous Hummingbird.

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Georgia?

2 of those birds nest in Georgia: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (April–August), Orchard Oriole (April–June).

Which winter birds use Cardinal flower in Georgia?

Winter visitors Rufous Hummingbird use it in Georgia during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Georgia
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.