Perch Supply
North Carolina · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in North Carolina

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in North Carolina
Hardiness zones
USDA 5b–8b
What birds get from it
nectar
North Carolina birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in North Carolina

Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.

Warm and humid in the Piedmont and coast; cooler at elevation.

North Carolina birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in North Carolina

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
  • Baltimore Oriole — May–July
  • Orchard Oriole — May–June

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in North Carolina

Coral honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Long nectar season.

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

The state flower and a top fall fruit source.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to North Carolina?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in North Carolina. North Carolina spans USDA 5b–8b.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in North Carolina?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in North Carolina?

3 of those birds nest in North Carolina: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (April–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 — North Carolina
  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.