Perch Supply
Indiana · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Indiana

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Indiana
Hardiness zones
USDA 5b–7a
What birds get from it
nectar
Indiana birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in Indiana

Humid continental, from Lake Michigan dunes in the north to the forested hill country of the south.

Warm, humid summers with frequent storms.

Indiana birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Indiana

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 — May–August
  • Baltimore Oriole — May–July
  • Orchard Oriole — May–June

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in Indiana

Trumpet honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival.

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans · Vine

Large orange trumpets through midsummer.

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Indiana?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Indiana. Indiana spans USDA 5b–7a.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Indiana?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Indiana?

3 of those birds nest in Indiana: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (May–August), Baltimore Oriole (May–July), Orchard Oriole (May–June).

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Indiana
  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.