Perch Supply
Kentucky · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Kentucky

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Kentucky
Hardiness zones
USDA 6a–7b
What birds get from it
nectar
Kentucky birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in Kentucky

Humid subtropical, from the Appalachian plateau in the east to the Bluegrass and the Mississippi lowlands in the west.

Hot, humid summers.

Kentucky birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Kentucky

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 Kentucky

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.

Red buckeye
Aesculus pavia · Shrub

Blooms right as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds return.

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.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Kentucky?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Kentucky. Kentucky spans USDA 6a–7b.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Kentucky?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Kentucky?

3 of those birds nest in Kentucky: 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 — Kentucky
  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.