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Lobelia cardinalis Fried Green Tomatoes

Dusky purple foliage with fire engine red flowers

Fried Green Tomatoes  is an unusually vigorous, extremely winter hardy selection. Dozens of tomato red blooms appear in late July, transforming this new selection into hummingbird magnet. 25 to 30 blooming stems will appear on newly planted plants. Other lobelias, especially red leaved selections take much longer to establish and are not nearly as vigorous. Fried Green Tomatoes has successfully over wintered in cold, wet winters in Maryland, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

Who Am I?

  • Common Name:
    Fried green Tomatoes cardinal flower
  • Botanical Name:
    Lobelia cardinalis 'Fried Green Tomatoes' PP21958
  • Type:
    Perennial
  • U.S. Native:
    YES

Cultural Details

TYPE

Perennial

U.S. NATIVE

YES
  • Light:
    Full sun.
  • Soil:
    Average garden soil
  • Moisture:
    As with most cardinal flowers, Fried Green Tomatoes prefers moist soil. Fried Green Tomatoes performs quite well in average garden soil with average moisture. Plant in spring or fall for adequate soil moisture to hasten root establishment.
  • Hardiness Zone
    4 – 8
  • Bloom Time:
    Late July for 8 to 12 weeks.
  • Bloom Color:
    Red
  • Size:
    30-36” tall by 24-30” wide
  • Diseases & Pests:
    None known

What Makes Me Special?

Its vigorous growth will amaze growers and gardeners alike as it grows 3-6 inches per week well into summer.

Landscape Use

Foundation plantings, mass plantings, commercial landscapes, middle of the border, urban gardens, bog gardens or pond edges.

Propagation

Tissue Culture
URC

Who Am I?

  • Common Name:
    Fried green Tomatoes cardinal flower
  • Botanical Name:
    Lobelia cardinalis 'Fried Green Tomatoes' PP21958
  • Type:
    Perennial
  • U.S. Native:
    YES

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