Cardinal Flower Pests

Cardinal Flower

• The Lobelia cardinalis is a perennial flower that grows between 1 and 6 feet in height. This plant has tall, green stems with a lower level of bright red petals with two petals on each side, attached to a red base. These spiky showstoppers stand out among the weeds or in garden beds -- displaying their beauty throughout the summer months. Because the cardinal flower returns each year and is often found in fields growing among other species of plants, it is considered a wildflower. The cardinal flower gets its name from the red robes that are worn in many Roman Catholic churches, according to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Slugs

• Slugs or snails are one of the biggest pest problems for cardinal flowers. Slugs make their home in the ground, but venture up into plants, damaging their foliage. Slugs can easily be spotted on the flower and the foliage because they leave behind a mucouslike, slimy trail as they venture across the plant. The slug can attack and eat the foliage and the flower. The cardinal flower can flourish in shade, partial shade and full sun but prefers a moist and even wet environment -- the same environment a slug thrives on. Slugs are active at night and do most of their feeding on plants at this time.

Infestation

• Because the cardinal flower enjoys wet, moist soil, it easily attracts slugs. Wet areas are ideal hot spots for slugs and as they reproduce, several can attack one plant at once. Signs of slug infestation are generally the slug itself – which can be identified as a slimy wormlike creature in a variety of colors including gray and black. Noticing that large sections of the lower portion of the plant are eaten are also signs you may have a slug family that has moved in to your garden.

Solution

• If you have cardinal flowers in your garden and have identified slugs on the plants, you will want to get the slug population under control and eliminate them all together. The Ohio State University Extension suggests eliminating mulch and recycled, decaying, plant material around the cardinal flower to assist with keeping slugs at bay. For severe or reoccurring cases, slug baits that contain a molluscicide that kills slugs and snails can be used to save your cardinal flowers.