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Dusky purple foliage with fire engine red flowers

Lobelia cardinalis Fried Green Tomatoes

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

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.

Please note: We don't sell plants. Asking your local retailer or googling the plant name is the easiest way to find someone selling our plants.

Please note: Download hi-res photos from the photo gallery at the bottom of the page.


Who Am I?

  • Common Name

    Fried green Tomatoes cardinal flower
  • Botanical Name

    Lobelia cardinalis 'Fried Green Tomatoes' PP21958
  • Type

    Perennial
  • US Native?

    YES
  • Bloom Time

    Late July for 8 to 12 weeks.
  • Bloom Color

    Red

Cultural Details

  • Bloom Time

    Late July for 8 to 12 weeks.
  • Size

    30-36” tall by 24-30” wide
  • Hardiness Zone

    4 – 8
  • 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.
  • Disease & Pests

    None known
  • Landscape Use

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

    Tissue Culture, URC

Available Photos

Hover over images to download hi-res files.