Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower Lobelia
Lobelia 'Queen Victoria'
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Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower Lobelia - #1 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
Under $50 | $9.99 |
$50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
$100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
$150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
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2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower Lobelia highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun, Partial Shade
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer

Growing Zones
Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower: Bold Red Blooms That Wow!
If you're craving a pop of vivid color in your late-summer garden, the Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower (Lobelia 'Queen Victoria') is ready to reign! This herbaceous perennial brings drama with its fire truck-red, nectar-rich blooms on tall spires that hummingbirds can't resist. This cultivar of the North American native Cardinal Flower stands out for its burgundy-bronze foliage and compact habit!
It blooms from mid to late summer, putting on a royal show just when most perennials are starting to fade. Queen Victoria grows upright, with flower stalks reaching 3-4 feet tall and a spread of about 1-2 feet.
Its long and pointed leaves emerge with a reddish tint and darken to deep maroon or purple-bronze as the season matures. By August, spires of scarlet, tubular flowers open from the bottom up on tall spikes, making a vertical accent in borders and along pond edges!
Key Features
- Deep scarlet red flowers from midsummer to early fall
- Burgundy-maroon foliage adds season-long interest
Compact form, great for borders and rain gardens - Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees
- Hardy in USDA Zones 4–9
- Native cultivar with wet-soil tolerance
Landscaping Uses
Symbolically, Lobelias represent distinction and uniqueness—fitting for a cultivar with royal flair! It's part of the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae), cousin to Balloon Flower and Campanula. It's particularly stunning in contrast with lime green or silver-leaved companions. This regal native Lobelia hails from wet meadows and streambanks in North America and thrives in moist, organically rich soils.
Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower grows 2–3 feet tall with a narrow upright habit, ideal for vertical interest.
- Plant in rain gardens, along stream banks, or pond edges
- Use in moist perennial borders for late-season color
- Stunning in pollinator, butterfly, and hummingbird gardens. Hummingbird Moths especially love these blooms!
- Mass plantings for a dramatic red accent
- Grow in containers with consistent moisture
Care and Maintenance
This herbaceous perennial is a moisture-loving sun-seeker that stands up to heat and humidity like a champ. It's hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, and it doesn't mind a bit of humidity or heat. Though short-lived, Queen Victoria reseeds lightly in the right conditions and returns yearly when grown with care.
- Planting Time: Spring or early fall
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade (needs more sun in cooler zones)
- Soil Needs: Prefers rich, moist to wet soil; tolerates clay if well-drained; not drought-tolerant
- Moisture Needs: High moisture needs; do not let soil dry out
- Mulch/Arborist Mulch: Apply 3–4 inches of bark mulch to retain moisture; compost improves soil fertility
- Fertilization Needs: Benefits from a light application of balanced fertilizer in spring
- Pruning Info: Deadhead to extend bloom; cut back spent flower stalks in fall
- Special Needs/Perks:
- Deer and rabbit-resistant
- Handles humidity well
- Loves high-moisture and boggy conditions
- Division Info: Divide every 2–3 years in spring to rejuvenate and propagate
Royal Red Blooms Fit For A Queen!
Add a royal splash of scarlet to your garden with Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower. This bold perennial reigns supreme in wet spots and rain gardens, drawing hummingbirds like a royal court in bloom. With its deep-red flowers and dramatic foliage, it truly lives up to its noble name!
Buy now and Nature Hills will ship at the appropriate planting time for your growing zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower deer-resistant?
Yes, it's generally avoided by deer and rabbits, thanks to its bitter sap.
Does Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower need wet soil?
Yes! It thrives in consistently moist to wet soil and performs poorly in dry conditions.
Can I grow Queen Victoria Lobelia in containers?
Absolutely, as long as the potting mix stays moist, and you don't let it dry out.
Will it come back every year?
Yes, it's a perennial, though short-lived. It may reseed in ideal conditions or can be divided every few years to maintain vigor.
How do I attract hummingbirds to my garden?
Plant Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower—they flock to its bright red tubular blooms!