Cardinal flower for birds in Michigan
Late-summer nectar. Native to Michigan, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Lobelia cardinalis
- Native status
- Native in Michigan
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–6b
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Michigan birds supported
- 3
- Nesting birds among them
- 3
Growing conditions in Michigan
Humid continental, strongly shaped by the Great Lakes; colder and snowier in the Upper Peninsula.
A compressed nesting season; bluebirds usually manage one or two broods.
Michigan birds that use Cardinal flower
Summer breeders (3)
Nesting season it supports in Michigan
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 Michigan
Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Frequently asked
Is Cardinal flower native to Michigan?
Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Michigan. Michigan spans USDA 4a–6b.
What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Michigan?
In Michigan, Cardinal flower supports 3 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole.
Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Michigan?
3 of those birds nest in Michigan: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (May–August), Baltimore Oriole (May–July), Orchard Oriole (May–June).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Michigan
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.