Lobelia Queen Victoria // Cardinal Flower

Here I am planting a Lobelia called Queen Victoria, also known as the Cardinal Flower. But did you know there are 415 species of Lobelia? And they are all so varied. There are annuals, perennials and shrubs. Some are hardy and others are tender. Some are ground covers, some are trailers and the one I am planting in my garden today is a tall and upright perennial which can be divided every other year. The Cardinal Flower variety was used for medicinal treatments, including the treatment of syphilis (would you believe) at the beginning of the 19th Century and then for bronchial and asthma ailments at the beginning of the 20th Century. It was also used by the Appalacians in America for a totally different purpose, all of which I do not recommend but explain in full detail in this video!! All makes for a very interesting history of this beautiful plant which should provide some late Summer and early Autumn interest in my garden. If you’d like to join my Facebook page, also called The Enthusiastic Gardener, you can find it by clicking this link: Have fun in your gardens! Janette, The Enthusiastic Gardener