Perch Supply
New York · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in New York

Late-summer nectar. Native to New York, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.

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

Growing conditions in New York

Humid continental, from cold Adirondack highlands to the maritime-moderated coast of Long Island.

Warm summers with a shorter nesting season upstate than downstate.

New York birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in New York

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 New York

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.

Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium · Perennial

Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Winter fruit.

Arrowwood viburnum
Viburnum dentatum · Shrub

Blue-black fall fruit and insect cover.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to New York?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in New York. New York spans USDA 3b–7b.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in New York?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in New York?

3 of those birds nest in New York: 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 — New York
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. Audubon Native Plants Database
  6. New York Breeding Bird Atlas III

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.