Lobelia x speciosa 'Starship™ Scarlet' (Cardinal Flower)

'Starship™ Scarlet' is a hybrid lobelia cultivar from the Starship line of hybrids by Kieft Seeds, which all produce stellar finished plants with a variety of attractive features. In this case, 'Starship™ Scarlet' was chosen for its striking red flowers and red tinged dark green foliage. Though Lobelia x speciosa is a hybrid, it is hybridized from two North American native species, Lobelia cardinalis and Lobelia siphilitica.

Growing to 18-24", this lobelia also offers a higher density of stems over a smaller spread, resulting in a large number of mounded, bright red blooms from mid summer to early fall. 'Starship™ Scarlet' is best grown in rich, medium moisture soils, and can tolerate full sun in northern climates, but does better with part sun in hotter summers. Thriving in boggy areas or rain gardens, this lobelia hybrid is also tolerant of seasonal flooding as well as deer.

(Photo courtesy of Proven Winners)