Perch Supply
Missouri · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Missouri

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Missouri
Hardiness zones
USDA 5b–7b
What birds get from it
nectar
Missouri birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in Missouri

Humid continental, from the Ozark Plateau in the south to prairie and river floodplains in the north.

Hot, humid summers.

Missouri birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Missouri

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 Missouri

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 Missouri?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Missouri. Missouri spans USDA 5b–7b.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Missouri?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Missouri?

3 of those birds nest in Missouri: 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 — Missouri
  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.