Cardinal Flower Pollen Color, Bloom Season and Bee Forage

Visual guideCardinal Flower pollen

Photo: Barnes, Dr. Thomas G. · Public domain

Plant Facts

SeasonSummer to Fall

USDA Zone3 - 9

Plant TypeWildflower

ForagePollen and nectar

Pollen ValueMedium

Nectar ValueLow

Color FamilyOrange and amber

Scientific NameLobelia cardinalis

Common NamesCardinal flower

Native RegionsCanada, United States, Mexico

Range StatusNative across much of North America in moist habitats.

Color ConfidenceModerate

Color MethodA species-level pollen-library record describes the pollen as cream to white; the digital swatch is approximate.

Reviewed2026-10-11

Quick Answer

Cardinal Flower pollen is shown in this guide as an orange and amber tone. It is listed as wildflower, associated with summer to fall bloom timing, USDA zone 3 - 9, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Cardinal Flower is grouped broadly with orange and amber pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

Cardinal Flower is listed for summer to fall. The record lists USDA zone 3 - 9; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: July, August, September.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as medium and nectar value marked as low. Cardinal flower is strongly adapted to hummingbird pollination but also provides some pollen and nectar context for bees and other visitors.

Identification Notes

Cardinal flower has upright spikes of vivid red, two-lipped tubular flowers and typically grows in consistently moist sites.

Flower color note: Scarlet red. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Southern Magnolia - Orange and amber Foxglove - Orange and amber Thyme - Orange and amber Bee Balm - Neutral and gray Mountain Laurel - Neutral and gray Devil's Walking Stick - White and cream

Related by Season

Alfalfa - Summer to Fall Balsam - Summer to Fall Black-eyed Susan - Summer to Fall Blue Vervain - Summer to Fall Boneset - Summer to Fall Buddleia - Summer to Fall

Related by Plant Type

Alfalfa - Wildflower Aster - Wildflower Balsam - Wildflower Bee Balm - Wildflower Bindweed - Wildflower Bird's-Foot Trefoil - Wildflower

Related by USDA Zone

Adam's Needle - Zone 4 - 10 Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Alsike Clover - Zone 3 - 8 American Basswood - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Adam's Needle - Pollen and nectar Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Alsike Clover - Pollen and nectar American Basswood - Pollen and nectar

Sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification The Anther's Promise pollen library
The Anther's Promise / reviewed 2026-10-11
pollen color category, bloom period, pollen morphology, bee resource context Selecting Plants for Pollinators regional guides
Pollinator Partnership / reviewed 2026-10-11
North American regional plant selection, native range context, bloom timing, pollinator value Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Foundation contributors / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant image, image credit link