Perch Supply
Mississippi · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Mississippi

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Mississippi
Hardiness zones
USDA 7b–9a
What birds get from it
nectar
Mississippi birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
2

Growing conditions in Mississippi

Humid subtropical, with the Delta in the northwest, piney woods in the south and a short Gulf coastline.

Long, hot, humid summers.

Mississippi birds that use Cardinal flower

Winter visitors (1)

Rufous Hummingbird

Mild winters with rare hard freezes.

Nesting season it supports in Mississippi

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 Mississippi

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 Mississippi?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Mississippi. Mississippi spans USDA 7b–9a.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Mississippi?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Mississippi?

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

Which winter birds use Cardinal flower in Mississippi?

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

Sources

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