Lobelia cardinalis

[KCFoggin]

Obviously, I should have done more research before I ordered 4 Cardinal plants (Lobelia cardinalis) but the deed is done. Not living in a swampy area, I am wondering if there are any adjustments I can make to insure that these plants will thrive and attract the hummingbirds as I had originally hoped for.

They are planted where they will have 4 - 5 hours of direct sunlight. Ground cover to keep the roots wet?

[Steve G]

Hi KC,
Get hold of some water-retention gel (sold as dry crystals for hanging baskets). Soak the gel till it swells up to capacity then dig a deep hole put the gel in then place the Lobelia rootballs on top then cover with a rich organic compost. Periodically give the soil around the plants a good soaking to keep the gel moist & the rootrun cool.
Alternatively get hold of Lobelia tupa seed (Chilean plant) which can handle heat & drought & should also pull in the hummers. Other herbaceous perrenials for hummers include: Mimulus cardinalis(likes moist soil), red Penstemon species (eg. barbatus coccineus),red Kniphophia species ( African Red-hot pokers, many of which are hardy)& Ourisia coccinea(likes partial shade & moist soil/woodland conditions). Try the bulb Fritillaria recurva (very attractive & a Californian native) & for shrubs most of the Fuschia species should attract hummers. -Sadly none of the above have worked for me-the closest thing we get in Scotland is the odd Hawkmoth! ;)

[steve_nova]

I agree about the fabulous Lobelia tupa, thats what you really need!
Kniphofia are good also (used by sunbirds for nectar in Africa so just as good for hummers).
In Australia, their equivelents such as Honeyeaters use members of the Protea family of plants such as Grevillea.

[steve_nova]

Try this fabulous small shrubby Eucalyptus (very easy from seed too), largest flowers in the genus and fantastic silver foliage. The flowers hold a huge amount of nectar in the cup like receptacle. Should be quite hardy where you are.

Eucalyptus macrocarpa (http://www.rbgsyd.gov.au/sydney_gardens_domain/gardens_feature/blooming_calendar/sydney_blooming_template40)

[Steve G]

As Steve suggests a number of Southern Hemisphere exotics are worth considering though those with lots of nectar & bottlebrush type flowers such as Banksia sp. might be ignored. The South African Proteas are probably a safe bet as Sunbirds (Old World "equivalents" of Hummers) feed from them -try the King Protea (Protea cynaroides) but note all Proteas dislike phosphate rich fertilizer (use high potash, low nitrogen, very low phosphate). Its probably a safe bet that any red tubular-flowered plant from Central or South America is Hummingbird pollinated.

[KCFoggin]

Steve and Steve, thank you both so much for all this information. I've found this wonderful new nursery mail order house (where I got my Lobelia cardinalis) and after doing a search, they seem to have just about everything mentioned here. I forgot to check on the gel, so I will try that there as well. Thank you both again.