Perch Supply
Kansas · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Kansas

Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil. Native to Kansas, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Kansas
Hardiness zones
USDA 5b–7a
What birds get from it
nectar
Kansas birds supported
4
Nesting birds among them
4

Growing conditions in Kansas

Continental — humid tallgrass Flint Hills in the east to semi-arid shortgrass prairie in the west.

Hot summers above 95°F; western Kansas is dry, so water draws birds from far away.

Kansas birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Kansas

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
  • Bullock's Oriole — May–July

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in Kansas

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.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

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

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Kansas?

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

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Kansas?

In Kansas, Cardinal flower supports 4 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Bullock's Oriole.

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Kansas?

4 of those birds nest in Kansas: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (May–August), Baltimore Oriole (May–July), Orchard Oriole (May–June), Bullock's Oriole (May–July).

Sources

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