Perch Supply
Wisconsin · Perennial

Cardinal flower for birds in Wisconsin

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

Scientific name
Lobelia cardinalis
Native status
Native in Wisconsin
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–6a
What birds get from it
nectar
Wisconsin birds supported
3
Nesting birds among them
3

Growing conditions in Wisconsin

Humid continental, with two Great Lakes shorelines, northern forest and southern prairie-oak savanna.

Warm, humid summers.

Wisconsin birds that use Cardinal flower

Nesting season it supports in Wisconsin

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

Native plants to pair with Cardinal flower in Wisconsin

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.

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Frequently asked

Is Cardinal flower native to Wisconsin?

Yes. Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is recorded as native in Wisconsin. Wisconsin spans USDA 3b–6a.

What birds does Cardinal flower attract in Wisconsin?

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

Does Cardinal flower help nesting birds in Wisconsin?

3 of those birds nest in Wisconsin: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (June–August), Baltimore Oriole (June–July), Orchard Oriole (June).

Sources

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