Cardinal Flower Lobelia × speciosa 'Fan Zinnoberrosa' (Fan Series)

Names

• Family

  Campanulaceae.

• Synonyms

  Fan Zinnoberrosa Lobelia, Fan Scarlet Lobelia.

• Common names

  Lobelia × speciosa 'Fan Zinnoberrosa' (Fan Series).

Toxicity

• To humans

  Lobelia can be toxic if ingested in large quantities. The plant contains several alkaloids such as lobeline, which can cause symptoms that may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, dizziness, excessive salivation, and weakness. In more severe cases, it can lead to hypotension, tremors, or even respiratory failure if consumed in very large amounts. The entire plant, including flowers, leaves, and seeds, should be considered potentially hazardous if ingested.

• To pets

  Lobelia is also toxic to pets, particularly dogs and cats. The plant's alkaloids, like lobeline, may lead to gastrointestinal upset characterized by symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. It can also result in more severe signs like labored breathing, lethargy, and an abnormal heart rate. If a pet consumes a large quantity of lobelia, it may experience tremors or convulsions. Caution is advised to prevent pets from accessing any part of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Red

• Height

  2-3 feet (60-90 cm)

• Spread

  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)

• Plant type

  Herb

• Hardiness zones

  5-9

• Native area

  North America

General Benefits

• Attracts Pollinators: Lobelia x speciosa 'Fan Zinnoberrosa' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which is important for pollination in the garden.
• Visual Appeal: With its striking deep red flowers, this plant adds a vivid splash of color to garden landscapes and borders.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it a good option for gardeners with limited time or those new to gardening.
• Drought Tolerant: It's able to withstand periods of dry weather once it is well-established, reducing the need for frequent watering.
• Compact Growth: The Fan Series, including 'Fan Zinnoberrosa,' tends to have a more compact and controlled growth habit, making it suitable for small gardens or container planting.
• Long Blooming Season: This plant has a lengthy flowering period from midsummer to early fall, offering extended visual interest.
• Versatile: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, from perennial borders to wildflower gardens, and it also works well in patio containers.
• Easy to Propagate: It can be easily propagated by seed or division, allowing gardeners to create more plants for different areas of their garden or to share with others.
• Deer Resistant: It’s less palatable to deer, which can be advantageous in areas where deer browsing is a problem for gardeners.
• Immediate Impact: Being a fast-growing plant, it quickly establishes and provides an immediate impact in the garden, often flowering in its first season.

Medical Properties

This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Garden borders: Lobelia can be used to create stunning garden borders due to its striking deep red flowers and bushy foliage, offering a splash of color and texture to the landscape.
• Butterfly gardens: This plant is an attractive addition to butterfly gardens as it provides a source of nectar for various butterfly species, helping to support local biodiversity.
• Water garden accent: Lobelia can be planted near water features such as ponds or streams, where its vibrant flowers add a dramatic accent to the calm water setting.
• Pottery glaze inspiration: The vivid red hues of the Lobelia flowers can inspire potters to create ceramic glazes that capture the unique color for decorative pottery.
• Educational tool: Due to its hybrid nature, Lobelia can be used in horticultural programs or workshops to demonstrate plant breeding and hybridization techniques.
• Rain gardens: This plant can be incorporated into rain gardens, which are designed to absorb rainwater runoff and improve water quality, as it tolerates moist conditions.
• Container planting: Due to its compact size, Lobelia is suitable for container gardens on patios or balconies, adding a vertical element and color where ground space is limited.
• Nature photography: The striking appearance of Lobelia, with its bright flowers against dark leaves, makes it an excellent subject for nature photographers.
• Artistic muse: The dramatic color and form of Lobelia can serve as an artistic muse for painters and illustrators seeking to capture the beauty of nature in their work.
• Floral arrangements: The long, erect stems and vibrant flowers of Lobelia make it a unique and colorful addition to floral arrangements and bouquets.

Feng Shui

The Cardinal Flower is not used in Feng Shui practice.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

The Cardinal Flower is not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Vivid Life: The striking red flowers of the Cardinal flower symbolize a vibrant energy or life force due to their intense color, which can be a metaphor for vivacity and enthusiasm.
• Distinction: Cardinal flowers are named after the red vestments worn by Catholic cardinals, which denotes high status and distinction and may represent the idea of standing out or being unique.
• Attraction: With its bright coloring, the Cardinal flower can represent an attraction or magnetism, both in the natural world (attracting hummingbirds and pollinators) and symbolically in human relationships.
• Healing: Historically, Lobelias have been used in medicinal preparations, and in the language of flowers, they can sometimes be associated with healing or the need for recuperation.
• Spiritual Enlightenment: Because of their association with religious figures (cardinals), these flowers can also symbolize a connection to the spiritual or divine, an aspiration towards higher understanding or enlightenment.