Perch Supply
Virginia · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Virginia

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

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

Growing conditions in Virginia

Humid subtropical in the east, cooler and snowier in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny highlands.

Warm, humid summers; House Wrens and hummingbirds breed statewide.

Virginia birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Virginia

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 Virginia

Trumpet honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens · Vine

Nectar and small fruit.

Trumpet creeper
Campsis radicans · Vine

Large orange trumpets through midsummer.

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida · Tree

Fall fruit.

Spicebush
Lindera benzoin · Shrub

High-fat red berries and caterpillar host.

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Winter fruit.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Virginia?

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

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Virginia?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Virginia?

3 of those birds nest in Virginia: 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 — Virginia
  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.