Lobelia cardinalis ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’

An unusually vigorous, extremely hardy hummingbird magnet.

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Size: 30-36” tall by 24-30” wide

USDA hardiness Zones: 4 – 8

Sun/shade: 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.

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

Market appeal / Uniqueness: Fried Green Tomatoes was selected by a local Pennsylvania nursery from a batch of seed grown Lobelia cardinalis. Its vigorous growth will amaze growers and gardeners alike as it grows 3-6 inches per week well into summer. Sporting colorings similar to Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’, this new selection will delight gardeners with its new growth of maroon and deep olive green. As the season progresses and the days grow hotter, the leaves remain maroon on the underside, but the tops turn dusky olive green with maroon highlights.

Propagation methods: Multiplies easily by division, leaf cuttings.

Bloom time: Late July for 8 to 12 weeks.

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.