Cardinal Flower is perhaps the most brilliantly red wildflower native to North America, and its flowers are perfectly adapted for pollination by ruby-throated hummingbirds. It grows along stream banks and wetland edges, blooming in late July through September. The plant is named for the red robes of Catholic cardinals.
Best time to see a Cardinal Flower
The best time to see a Cardinal Flower is July–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 41,110 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Cardinal Flower? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Cardinal Flower sightings near you
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