Perch Supply
Maryland · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Maryland

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Maryland
Hardiness zones
USDA 6a–8a
What birds get from it
nectar
Maryland birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in Maryland

Humid subtropical on the Chesapeake coastal plain, cooler in the Appalachian west.

Hot, humid summers around the Chesapeake.

Maryland birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Maryland

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 Maryland

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 Maryland?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Maryland. Maryland spans USDA 6a–8a.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Maryland?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Maryland?

3 of those birds nest in Maryland: 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 — Maryland
  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.