Perch Supply
Nebraska · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Nebraska

Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil. Native to Nebraska, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Nebraska
Hardiness zones
USDA 4b–5b
What birds get from it
nectar
Nebraska birds supported
4
Nesting birds among them
4

Growing conditions in Nebraska

Continental, from tallgrass prairie in the east to the Sandhills and shortgrass in the west.

Hot summers with thunderstorms.

Nebraska birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Nebraska

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
  • Bullock's Oriole — May–July

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in Nebraska

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.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

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

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Nebraska?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Nebraska. Nebraska spans USDA 4b–5b.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, Cardinal flower supports 4 backyard birds, including Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Bullock's Oriole.

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Nebraska?

4 of those birds nest in Nebraska: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (May–August), Baltimore Oriole (May–July), Orchard Oriole (May–June), Bullock's Oriole (May–July).

Sources

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