Perch Supply
Louisiana · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Louisiana

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Louisiana
Hardiness zones
USDA 8a–10a
What birds get from it
nectar
Louisiana birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
2

Growing conditions in Louisiana

Humid subtropical, with coastal marsh, bottomland hardwood forest and piney uplands in the north.

Very hot, humid summers and hurricane season June–November.

Louisiana birds that use Cardinal flower

Winter visitors (1)

Rufous Hummingbird

Mild winters make Louisiana a major wintering ground for sparrows, wrens, and even western hummingbirds.

Nesting season it supports in Louisiana

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 Louisiana

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.

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

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

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Louisiana?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Louisiana. Louisiana spans USDA 8a–10a.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Louisiana?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Louisiana?

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

Which winter birds use Cardinal flower in Louisiana?

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

Sources

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