Lobelia 'QUEEN VICTORIA' lobelia, cardinal flower

Queen Victoria is a statuesque cultivar of cardinal flower that has long graced temperate-climate gardens. From mid-summer to early autumn, it produces tall, terminal flower spikes packed with large, vivid scarlet, tubular, two-lipped blooms that blaze against its dark foliage. Each sturdy, maroon-tinged stem bears clusters of flowers so closely spaced they resemble glowing red torches. Plants typically reach heights of 90–120 cm and are at their best in compact groups, where their upright form and saturated colouring create a dramatic vertical accent. The name pays tribute to Britain’s Queen Victoria, renowned for her passion for horticulture and her lasting influence as a symbol of Victorian elegance—a reference perhaps to the cultivar’s dignified, commanding presence.

Before flowering, Queen Victoria forms a low basal rosette of lance-shaped to ovate leaves, rich in beetroot tones ranging from deep purplish-red to bronze-brown, with a glossy surface and gently undulating margins. As flower stems elongate, the foliage on them becomes slenderer and longer, often shifting to deep green with a purplish sheen in shaded parts, while maintaining its wine-red coloration in full sun. The plant forms a compact, dense clump around 30–60 cm wide, sending up several parallel vertical stems that retain their architectural form even in full bloom, lending clarity and sculptural structure to planting schemes. Removing spent stems will encourage a second flush of shorter stems with flowers.

This lobelia thrives in consistently moist conditions and—despite contrary claims from some growers—can tolerate lightly waterlogged soils, often performing better in them. Trials revealed that winter losses were caused not by frost but by drought. Plants in clay-rich, damp, or saturated beds retained healthy foliage throughout winter and emerged in spring to produce clumps twice as large as the previous year. Grow in full sun or light partial shade; the latter may reduce plant longevity. It prefers fertile soil of any pH and benefits from periodic applications of organic fertilizer during the flowering season. The plant contains toxic compounds and exudes a milky sap when cut, which may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Slug attacks must be controlled as they are particularly fond of its stems and can cause extensive damage to the outer tissues right up to the flowering tips. This variety requires shelter from strong winds and is reliably hardy down to approximately –20 °C (USDA zone 6b), provided it does not dry out over winter.

Last update 10-08-2025