Lobelia cardinalis 'Black Truffle' (Cardinal Flower)

'Black Truffle' is a cultivar of cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis, a native perennial wildflower known for its moisture loving properties and striking red flowers; the 'Black Truffle' cultivar is noted for its equally striking foliage, which is green tinged with dark purple and almost black hues. Cardinal flower is somewhat short-lived and clump-forming in nature, and its namesake flowers bloom from late spring into early autumn.

In landscape plantings, cardinal flower is easily grown in rich organic, medium to wet soils, and performs best in full sun or part shade. Since it is relatively moisture-loving in nature, Lobelia cardinalis has high water needs in the home garden once established, though it can be grown in a variety of locations; that said, cardinal flower still does best with well-draining soils, as sitting in consistently wet soil or standing water may result in root rot. This tendency for wet soils but well-draining texture makes it a great choice for rain gardens and embankments.