Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower)
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Pure Live Seed
Pure Live Seed
Seed is provided in Pure Live Seed (PLS) unless otherwise stated.
Pure Live Seed (PLS) expresses the viable seed content of a seed lot using its purity and germination or viability test results. It helps you compare seed lots and calculate how much bulk seed is needed to meet a specified PLS planting rate.
PLS weight and bag weight
PLS weight is not the same as the total weight of seed in a bag. For example, a lot with 80% purity and 75% viability contains 60% PLS: 80 × 75 ÷ 100 = 60. Supplying 10 lb PLS from that lot requires about 16.67 lb of bulk seed.
Use the current seed test and the stated basis of the mix specification. Germination calculations may include applicable hard or dormant seed. Seed-count estimates also require the number of seeds per pound; PLS alone does not provide a seed count.
What to check when buying a mix
Check whether each rate is stated in PLS pounds, bulk pounds, or a combination. A mix with both bases should not be described as having an all-PLS total.
PLS does not remove weed seeds or guarantee establishment. Review the seed label and analysis for weed content, and match site preparation, planting conditions and follow-up management to your project.
Sources: USDA NRCS, Understanding Pure Live Seed and The Importance of Seed Quality for Natural Resource Conservation.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
Weight Conversions lbs. to oz.
0.01 pounds = 0.16 ounces
- 0.1 pounds = 1.6 ounces
- 0.25 pounds = 4 ounces
- 0.5 pounds = 8 ounces
- 0.75 pounds = 12 ounces
- 1.00 pounds = 16 ounces
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) produces upright spikes of red, tubular flowers in late summer and early fall. Hummingbirds visit the blooms. It is a good choice for a moist garden bed, rain-garden low spot, or streamside planting where the soil does not dry out.
Provide moist to wet, organic-rich soil in full sun to light shade. Afternoon shade is useful on hotter sites, especially where it helps retain moisture. Do not place cardinal flower on a dry slope and expect occasional rain to keep it growing well.
Individual plants can be short-lived. Keep competing vegetation from covering the low basal leaves, and allow some seedheads to mature where natural reseeding is desired. In a mixed bed, place the flower spikes where they remain visible above the lower foliage without being shaded by large shrubs.
Plant specifications
Key growing facts
| Sunlight | Full sun to light shade |
|---|---|
| Soil moisture | Wet to moist |
| Height | 2–3½ ft |
| Bloom season | Late summer to early fall |
Show / hide ▾Native Landscaping Companion Plants
Build a layered native planting with grasses and sedges as a matrix, ground covers, seasonal flowers, and plants for texture. Explore the full curated Light Shade Tolerant list below. Match light, soil moisture, mature size, and spreading habit to your site.
Native Landscaping Guide — plan your planting
Hover over a plant name or expand Growing information for details. Short: under 2 ft · Medium: 2 to under 4 ft · Tall: 4 ft or more.
Light Shade Tolerant
Click the buttons below to expand a list of species.
Grasses & Sedges — Matrix Species
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Curly-styled wood sedge (Carex rosea)
Growing information
Height: 8 in–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Sun to shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Fine-textured clumps; height varies with growing conditions.
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James's sedge (Carex jamesii)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–1 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Fine-textured, low clumps.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Best in moist pockets; distinctive palm-like foliage.
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.25 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle tan flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Plant in broad drifts; weave seasonal flowers through the sedge.
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Radiate sedge (Carex radiata)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Late spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Clump-forming matrix for moister woodland pockets.
Ground Covers
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Big-leaved aster (Eurybia macrophylla)
Growing information
Height: 2.5 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pale lavender to white · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spreads by rhizomes; broad foliage forms colonies.
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Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; white flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; foliage may go dormant in summer.
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.25 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle tan flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Plant in broad drifts; weave seasonal flowers through the sedge.
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Prairie alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; greenish-white flowers · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Clump-forming foliage; use light shade rather than deep shade.
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Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes.
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Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)
Growing information
Height: 2 in–8 in (Short) · Color: Green foliage; hidden maroon flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Spreads by rhizomes to form a leafy ground cover.
Flowers
Spring
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Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Arching stems and nodding flowers.
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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–1 ft (Short) · Color: White · Season: Early spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Early spring accent; foliage may go dormant in summer.
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Celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Can self-seed where conditions suit it.
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Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pale blue · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to moist · Note: In prairie-style gardens, use sheltered part-sun pockets; avoid hot, dry exposures.
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Midland shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pink to white · Season: Late spring · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spring ephemeral; summer dormant.
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Prairie trillium (Trillium recurvatum)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Maroon · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Woodland plant despite its common name.
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Sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–6 in (Short) · Color: White, pink or lavender · Season: Early spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Low spring accent.
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Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue flowers; pink buds · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist · Note: Spring ephemeral; summer dormant. In sunnier gardens, use moisture-retentive soil and shelter from hot afternoon sun.
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White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
Growing information
Height: 9 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: White, aging pink · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Spring woodland accent; allow foliage to die back naturally.
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Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) — Part sun / partial shade
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Red and yellow · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part sun / partial shade · Moisture: Moist to dry, well-drained · Note: Use part-sun or lightly shaded pockets in either garden group; seedlings benefit from shelter. Self-seeds into gaps; foliage can decline after flowering.
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Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pink to lavender · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Rounded foliage and spring flowers.
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Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Growing information
Height: 10 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Blue to lavender · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Low spring color between taller plants.
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Yellow trillium (Trillium luteum)
Growing information
Height: 8 in–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Yellow · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist, well-drained · Note: Summer dormant. Native to the southeastern U.S.; not a Chicago-region native.
Summer
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American bellflower (Campanula americana)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Midsummer–early fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Tall; biennial that can renew itself by seed.
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Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Lavender-purple · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average to dry, well-drained · Note: Use brighter woodland edges; can self-seed.
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Blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average to dry, well-drained · Note: Upright, bushy form; best flowering in sun. Native to parts of the central and eastern U.S.; Chicago-region native status is uncertain.
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Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Red · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Needs consistent moisture; vivid red flowers.
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Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Needs consistent moisture.
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Hairy wood mint (Blephilia hirsuta)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White to pale lavender · Season: Summer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Airy flowers for the woodland border.
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Nodding onion (Allium cernuum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Pink to pale pink · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Nodding flowerheads; use brighter woodland edges.
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Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink-purple · Season: Summer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Use brighter woodland openings for stronger flowering.
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Purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Purple-pink · Season: Early summer · Light: Part sun to light shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Best in bright woodland or savanna openings.
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Starry campion (Silene stellata)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Mid–late summer · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Fringed petals add fine detail.
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Sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–7 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pink-purple · Season: Midsummer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Tall; place toward the back.
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Tall thimbleweed (Anemone virginiana)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Early–midsummer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Understated flowers and distinctive seedheads.
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Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus)
Growing information
Height: 2.5 ft–6 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Yellow · Season: Summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes.
Fall
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Big-leaved aster (Eurybia macrophylla)
Growing information
Height: 2.5 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Pale lavender to white · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spreads by rhizomes; broad foliage forms colonies.
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Blue wood aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pale blue · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Airy fall flowers for woodland edges.
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Blue-stemmed goldenrod (Solidago caesia)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Arching stems with clusters of yellow flowers.
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Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White with changing yellow to purple centers · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Can self-seed aggressively.
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Drummond's aster (Symphyotrichum drummondii)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3.25 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Pale blue to white · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part sun · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Can self-seed aggressively; best at partly shaded edges.
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Elm-leaved goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia)
Growing information
Height: 1.25 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Woodland-edge fall color.
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Short's aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3.5 ft (Medium) · Color: Violet-blue · Season: Late summer–fall · Light: Part sun · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Late color for open woodland.
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Zigzag goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Yellow · Season: Late summer–early fall · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Spreads by rhizomes; allow room to expand.
Texture
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Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–7 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: White · Season: Early–midsummer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Tall flower spires; place toward the back.
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Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Blue-green foliage; subtle yellow-green to brown-purple flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Upright foliage and blue fruit provide texture.
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Blue wild indigo (Baptisia australis)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Blue-violet · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part sun · Moisture: Average to dry, well-drained · Note: Upright, bushy form; best flowering in sun. Native to parts of the central and eastern U.S.; Chicago-region native status is uncertain.
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Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Evergreen foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average to slightly dry · Note: Evergreen texture; needs good drainage.
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Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; cinnamon-brown fertile fronds · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Best in consistently moist pockets.
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Curly-styled wood sedge (Carex rosea)
Growing information
Height: 8 in–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Sun to shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Fine-textured clumps; height varies with growing conditions.
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False Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–2.5 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: White · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Arching foliage; useful between low and tall layers.
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Interrupted fern (Osmunda claytoniana)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–4 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage; brown fertile segments · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Upright, architectural fronds.
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Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green and purple-brown flower hood · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Bold foliage and distinctive flower form.
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James's sedge (Carex jamesii)
Growing information
Height: 3 in–1 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average · Note: Fine-textured, low clumps.
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Marginal wood fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Evergreen foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Average, well-drained · Note: Evergreen texture; use sheltered, well-drained woodland sites.
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Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; white flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Moist to slightly dry · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; foliage may go dormant in summer.
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Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes; allow room for colonies.
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Palm sedge (Carex muskingumensis)
Growing information
Height: 2 ft–3 ft (Medium) · Color: Green foliage; tan seedheads · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Best in moist pockets; distinctive palm-like foliage.
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Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica)
Growing information
Height: 6 in–1.25 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle tan flowers · Season: Spring · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Plant in broad drifts; weave seasonal flowers through the sedge.
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Prairie alumroot (Heuchera richardsonii)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–2 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage; greenish-white flowers · Season: Late spring–early summer · Light: Sun to part shade · Moisture: Average to dry · Note: Clump-forming foliage; use light shade rather than deep shade.
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Radiate sedge (Carex radiata)
Growing information
Height: 1 ft–1.5 ft (Short) · Color: Green foliage; subtle green flowers · Season: Late spring · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Clump-forming matrix for moister woodland pockets.
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River oats (Chasmanthium latifolium)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–4 ft (Short / Medium / Tall) · Color: Green seedheads, aging bronze · Season: Summer–fall seedheads · Light: Part sun to part shade · Moisture: Moist to average · Note: Can spread aggressively, especially by seed; ornamental hanging seedheads.
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Royal fern (Osmunda regalis)
Growing information
Height: 3 ft–5 ft (Medium / Tall) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade to shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Tall, open fronds; avoid dry sites.
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Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
Growing information
Height: 1.5 ft–3 ft (Short / Medium) · Color: Green foliage · Season: Foliage interest · Light: Part shade · Moisture: Wet to moist · Note: Can spread aggressively by rhizomes.
Show / hide ▾Growing & planting details
| Growth habit | Upright, usually unbranched perennial |
|---|---|
| Root form | Taproot |
| Soil pH | 5.8–7.8 |
| Cultivation hardiness zones | Zones 3a–9b (general cultivation guidance) |
| Drought tolerance | Does not tolerate drying out well |
| Salt tolerance | None |
| Plant toxicity | Poison characteristics are reported; listed parts: flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems. Pet safety is not established. |
Plant identification & seed reference
| Botanical name | Lobelia cardinalis |
|---|---|
| Other common names | cardinal flower; Cardinal Flower; Indian Pink; Lobelia |
| Seed germination | USDA lists cold stratification as not required; seed-lot response may vary. |
| Plant family | Lobeliaceae |
| Seeds per pound — reference estimate | 6400000 clean seeds/lb (species reference average; seed lots vary). USDA NRCS Iowa Native Seed Calculator (2024), species reference table, PDF p. 17; 400000 seeds/oz × 16; https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/47969/Native_Seeding_Calculator_2024 |
Plant characteristics
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) is one of the most exquisite flowers of the midwest. This perennial plant is a medium in height native plant. Its showy unusual red flowers do well slightly wet soils and rain gardens. It attracts and is a great nectar source for hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies.
Show / hide ▾Plant communities & associatesDocumented community records
Spring Bay Fen Nature Preserve — wet-mesic floodplain forest
Surveyed in 2007, 2008 and 2011. Wet-mesic floodplain forest recorded separately from the adjoining fen. These dated records do not establish presence today.
Other native plants recorded in this surveyed community: Acer nigrum, Acer saccharinum, Agastache nepetoides, Amorpha fruticosa, Anemone canadensis, Arisaema dracontium, Arisaema triphyllum, Blephilia hirsuta, Carex blanda, Carex emoryi.
Murphy, Phillippe & Ebinger 2021, Appendix 1. Selected associates from the same community; records do not show immediate neighbors or prescribe planting ratios.
Show / hide ▾Native range & C-value
State nativity describes a broad range. Use the Chicago-region assessment for local context; a state listing does not establish county nativity.
| Wetland indicator — NWPL 2022 Midwest | OBL |
|---|---|
| C-value — Chicago region, Flora 2017 | 7 |
| Chicago-region native — Flora 2017 | Yes |
| Native range — U.S. states | Alabama; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; West Virginia; Wisconsin |
| County nativity | Not yet verified; occurrence records do not establish nativity. |
Show / hide ▾Frequently asked questions
What are the ideal growing conditions for Cardinal Flower?
Light: Full sun to light shade. Soil moisture: Wet to moist.
How do I germinate and establish Cardinal Flower from seed?
USDA lists cold stratification as not required; seed-lot response may vary.
Is Cardinal Flower deer and herbivore resistant?
Species-specific deer resistance has not been verified here. Even plants described as resistant may be browsed. Use physical protection where deer damage is a concern.
When should I expect Cardinal Flower to bloom?
Typical flowering period: Late summer to early fall. Timing varies with location and weather.
Show / hide ▾Sources & ecological notes
Native landscaping evidence: These planting suggestions draw on published growing requirements, mature form and spread. Placement and maintenance advice reflects landscape design judgment using these sources: Lobelia cardinalis; Carex lupulina.
Native range & ecological ratings: Flora of the Chicago Region (2017), via Universal FQA; USACE Chicago FQA (2017); Kew WCVP / Plants of the World Online; USACE National Wetland Plant List.
Growing conditions & other references: Illinois Wildflowers, John Hilty; USDA NRCS PLANTS; NC State Extension Plant Toolbox.
Native range does not identify the origin of the seed or plants offered. Community and wildlife records apply to the locations and conditions described.
Research notes & credits
USACE/ERDC fqadata — Chicago Region FQA 2017. Herman, B., Sliwinski, R. & Whitaker, S. (2017), Chicago Region FQA Calculator; distributed by USACE/ERDC in fqadata under CC0. Values may differ from Flora of the Chicago Region (2017). CC0 dedication. Retained for comparison; the displayed C-value follows Flora database 80.
Range data: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; 4 June 2026 release, accessed 7 September 2026. © The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. CC BY 3.0; selected and reformatted. Kew cannot warrant the quality or accuracy of these data. This use has no Kew endorsement.
Flora rating attribution: Kenneth Johnson (2018), Flora of the Chicago Region UFQA Database, following Gerould Wilhelm and Laura Rericha (2017), Flora of the Chicago Region: A Floristic and Ecological Synthesis. Individual rating facts are presented with original commentary; the calculator’s software license is not treated as a license for the underlying Flora publication.
Growing guidance: Illinois Extension — Keeping deer out of the yard and garden. Selected facts in original wording. General deer advice is not a species resistance rating.
Additional community records: Murphy, Phillippe & Ebinger (2021), Spring Bay Fen flora and vegetation. Selected facts and taxonomic links; source spellings and historical survey dates retained.
Plant Shipping & Care
Plant Shipping & Care
We want to ensure that our customers get what they want, a native backyard oasis. To do that, we need to follow a few simple guidelines and give you some information and pointers to make sure you get your plants delivered in a healthy state.
As a reminder, you will receive an email to confirm your pickup or shipping window just before the plants are ready. See Order Fulfillment below for seasonal fulfillment windows.
Choices to Receive Your Plants & Accessories
- Website orders: Seed, plugs and bare-root plants offered for shipping are shipped to your address. Shipping charges are calculated at checkout.
- Container trees and shrubs: Some #3 and #5 container options are offered for scheduled pickup only. Check the selected product option and the cart pickup instructions before ordering. Pickup and shipped items require separate orders where indicated in the cart.
- Wholesale orders: Delivery and pickup are arranged separately according to the order, supplier yard and location. Wholesale pickup is free.
- Pickup locations and dates are confirmed by email. Please wait for confirmation before traveling to a pickup site. Our offices are not retail stores or nursery pickup locations.
Order Fulfilment - When Your Plants or Other Items Will Be Ready
We take orders all year long and seed is shipped all year, but we only provide the plants to you in certain fulfillment windows to ensure healthy plants.
Wholesale Orders
- Shipped or are Ready For Pick Up As Requested.
Retail & Website Orders
- Seed Typically Ships Out Within One Week Of Order All Year Long
- Typically, single species flats ship when ready, sometimes as soon as early to mid-April (depends on weather) through early-October.
- Mixed species kits are batched and shipped as indicated on the product page.
- If a plant order is placed while outside of the plant fulfillment window your plants will be reserved through your payment, however, the order will not be fulfilled and shipped until the following spring. We don't want to provide you plants when they won't be happy during the cold winter months.
- Early in the spring and later in the fall certain species may be dormant or partially dormant with brown leaves, however they will return to grow healthy next growing season.
- Your order may arrive in several different shipments.
- If certain plants within an order will not be available until a later date, we may choose to hold the full order until all are ready. In certain circumstances, we may choose to send them in two separate shipments
- Fulfillment is always dependent upon plant availability. We try our best but sometimes plants do not overwinter well and perish. If a plant is on back order you will receive an email indicating the estimated shipping date. If we can not provide the plant we will first notify you and give you an option of substitution or a refund of that individual species.
- Plants are typically only packaged and shipped on Mondays to ensure they do not sit in the harsh delivery facility for extended periods of time over the weekend. You will receive a confirmation email once your delivery has been shipped and to estimate your delivery date.
- Apparel & accessories are ready typically within one to two weeks. See product page for holiday shipping.
Where We Ship
What to Expect When Receiving Your Delivery
- Your plants will be packaged with the utmost care
- We will need to cut back certain plants prior to shipping. This seems counter-intuitive, however, the fewer leaves the less water the plants can lose during shipping, resulting in healthier plants for you. This also enables the plants to fit within the protective packaging and shipped safely.
Shipments
- Larger plant shipments will look similar to the picture below with a tray of your plants and a cardboard box to protect them during shipping.
What to Do With Your Plants After Receiving Your Delivery
- Unpack your order IMMEDIATELY
- Inspect for damage and report any issues immediately to Natives@NaturalCommunities.net
- Water your plants
- Install your plants as quickly as possible and water the entire garden area thoroughly
- If you cannot install your plants immediately
- Some plants may not be in a container, put them into some kind of a container such as a paper cup with loose soil until installation
- Make sure each plant is receiving the appropriate amount of light.
- Continue to water daily each morning and possibly again in the afternoon
- No additional fertilizer is needed
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed Shipping & Care
Seed ships all year and typically ships within a week of an order being placed.
We have attempted to put together some basic information regarding native seed installation, establishment, and maintenance. We hope you find it helpful. If you need further assistance on native seed establishment, please schedule a free consolation call here.
Consultation Services
Ecosystem Restoration Considerations
Native Seed Establishment Best Management Practices
Native Seed Stratification Best Management Practices
Solving a Site Problem? Get Expert Advice + Get Store Credit
Whether you're fighting severe erosion, replacing invasive species, designing a pollinator haven, or seeding large acreage, choosing the wrong species wastes time and money. Talk 1-on-1 with a restoration ecologist to map out the exact species, plug counts, or seed mixes for your soil and goals. Book a consultation and get all or a portion credited directly back to your order.