Perch Supply
South Carolina · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in South Carolina

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

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

Growing conditions in South Carolina

Humid subtropical, from the Blue Ridge foothills to the Lowcountry marshes.

Hot, humid summers.

South Carolina birds that use Cardinal flower

Winter visitors (1)

Rufous Hummingbird

Mild winters; Lowcountry backyards host Painted Buntings in summer and many sparrows in winter.

Nesting season it supports in South 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
  • Orchard Oriole — April–June

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in South Carolina

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 South Carolina?

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

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in South Carolina?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in South Carolina?

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

Which winter birds use Cardinal flower in South Carolina?

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

Sources

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