About Erythranthe cardinalis (Douglas ex Benth.) Spach
Erythranthe cardinalis (Douglas ex Benth.) Spach is a perennial herb that reaches 30 to 91 centimeters (1 to 3 feet) in height. It is a fairly large, spreading, attractive plant that produces strongly reflexed, nectar-rich red or orange-red flowers, along with toothed, downy leaves. This species is native to the West Coast and Southwestern United States, as well as Baja California, and it typically grows at low elevation in moist locations. Occasional wild populations of yellow-flowered Erythranthe cardinalis, which lack anthocyanin pigments in their corollas, can be found in the wild. The blooms and large nectar supply of Erythranthe cardinalis attract hummingbirds, and pollen is transferred between flowers on the hummingbirds' foreheads. In regions where Erythranthe cardinalis overlaps with its sister species Erythranthe lewisii, reproductive isolation is maintained almost entirely through pollinator preference. Erythranthe cardinalis is sold in the horticulture trade and widely available as an ornamental plant for traditional gardens, natural landscape gardens, native plant gardens, habitat gardens, and various municipal, commercial, and agency sustainable landscape projects. Cultivars are available in a range of colors between yellow and red; one example is the "Santa Cruz Island Gold" variety, originally collected from Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California. In the United Kingdom, this plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Though it is a short-lived perennial, it is very often grown as an annual. For successful growth, it needs a wet, poorly-drained soil, full sun, and a sheltered position.
