Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container

Product variants

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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
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 Profile & Growing Essentials

Specifications

Botanical Name

Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'
Height

3-4 ft
Width

1-2 ft
Growing Zones

6-9
Growth Rate

Fast
Native

Yes
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for full sun (at least 6 hours) to maintain the intense dark purple color of the foliage and encourage strong, upright flower spikes. If you live in a hot climate or cannot keep the soil consistently wet, provide afternoon shade to prevent wilting.
Soil: This plant thrives in rich, wet soil and is an ideal candidate for rain gardens, pond edges, or low spots that hold water. It tolerates heavy clay well but will struggle in dry, sandy soil unless you amend it heavily with compost to retain moisture.

Watering Requirements

Consistency is key for this moisture-loving perennial, which naturally grows along stream banks. Keep the soil evenly moist at all times, as allowing it to dry out will cause the leaves to crisp and the plant to go dormant or die. Once established, it can handle shallow standing water but has zero tolerance for drought conditions.

Pruning Tips

Snip off the flower spikes after they finish blooming to keep the plant tidy and potentially encourage a smaller second flush of flowers. In late autumn, cut the main flowering stem down to the ground, but be careful not to bury or damage the small rosette of leaves at the base. These low-growing leaves stay evergreen and are essential for the plant's survival through winter.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges to support the dramatic foliage. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as this pushes soft, tender growth that is easily damaged by winter frost.

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Growing Zones 6-9

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Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Queen Victoria Cardinal Flower

Plant Sentry™

Delivery and Shipping

Specifications