Black Truffle Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis 'Black Truffle'
This variety has stunning tall spikes of bright scarlet flowers and foliage that emerges near black and matures to deep burgundy; looks wonderful in mass plantings along borders
Local Pick UpFeatures and Growing Tips
Note: Each live plant is unique and may differ from the photo while maintaining its beauty. Plants come in a plastic pot; other items in images are not included.
Landscape Qualities
Black Truffle Cardinal Flower is an herbaceous perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its medium texture blends into the garden | but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
Ornamental Qualities
Black Truffle Cardinal Flower features showy spikes of scarlet flowers rising above the foliage from mid summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its pointy leaves emerge black in spring | turning burgundy in color with prominent coppery-bronze tips and tinges of grayish green throughout the season.
Planting and Growing
Black Truffle Cardinal Flower will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers | with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant | individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a fast rate | and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial | this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter | and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable | preferring to grow in average to wet conditions | and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH | but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species | and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals | so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division; however | as a cultivated variety | be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Plant Facts
Prefers full sun to partial shade
Keep moisture level average to wet
Mature Size 24"(4'withtheflowers)Hx24"W
Cutflower Favorite
Flowers are scarlet
Flowers from mid summer to early fall
Attracts butterflies; hummingbirds
Zone 3a
Known to be toxic
Likes average to moist soil