Cardinal Flower 'Queen Victoria' | Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria'
Striking scarlet-red flowers atop dark burgundy stems and foliage, adding vibrant contrast to pond margins
SAVE £10 when you buy 1ltr - Pack of 3
Normally Available From: May
Add a dramatic splash of colour to your pond margins with the Red Leaved Lobelia (Lobelia fulgens 'Queen Victoria'). This striking perennial features brilliant red flowers that bloom from August to September, standing out against its purplish-red foliage and dark stems. Growing to a height of 80–100 cm, it brings vertical interest and vibrant contrast to your water garden.
Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this upright, clump-forming plant is ideal for pond margins, bog gardens, or damp borders. Beyond its visual appeal, the Red Leaved Lobelia is loved by pollinators, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens.
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten; skin irritant
Key Characteristics:
- Height 80cm to 100cm
- Spread: up to 50cm
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Depth: 0cm to 15cm
- Flower Colour: Vibrant red
- Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming
- Foliage: Purplish-red leaves
Additional Information:
- Common Name: Cardinal Flower 'Queen Victoria'
- Position: Full Sun/Part Shade
- Soil: Moist to wet, suitable for boggy soils and pond margins
- Flowering Period: August to September
- Hardiness: Hardy in mild UK areas; tolerates -5°C to 1°C. (H3)
- Pollinator Friendly
We grow with the seasons - strong plants take time, so dispatch dates may shift slightly with the British weather.
Your Plant At Arrival
Your marginal plant will arrive in a Finofil Aquatic Basket, pre-planted with aquatic soil and a slow-release fertiliser. Just pop straight into you pond upon arrival!
Aquatic Basket Measurements:
- 1ltr - Square pot (11cm wide by 11cm high)
- 3ltr - Hexagonal pot (18cm wide x 16cm high)
- 5ltr - Square pot (24cm wide x 14cm high)
- 9cm plants arrive in solid pots and will need repotting into aquatic baskets.
How to Grow
- Growing Instructions:
- Growing Tips:
Care & Maintenance
- Pruning: Trim to tidy but leave foliage to die back naturally to encourage winter bud formation.
- Pests/Diseases: Rarely affected by pests and diseases; however, young plants may be susceptible to slugs and snails.
Marginals - Good to Know
How Deep Should I Place My Marginals?
The planting depth depends on the variety. Check the product page or the care label included with your plant for specific guidance.
Depth is measured from the top of the pot to the water’s surface.
Most marginals are fine placed 1cm to 2cm under the waterline, just enough to hide the aquatic basket.
How Many Marginals Do I Need?
Measure the length of your marginal shelves and then allow:
- 1ltr Plants: 5 per linear metre
- 3ltr Plants: 3 per linear metre
Tip: Leave space between plant varieties to prevent dominant species from taking over. For more details, see our Planting Guide.
Do I Need to Line My Basket with Hessian?
No, Finofil aquatic baskets are designed with a fine mesh that prevents soil loss. Adding a liner is optional but not necessary.
What Are Finofil Baskets Made From?
Finofil aquatic baskets are made from 100% recycled plastic and manufactured in the UK. They can be recycled at local recycling centres or through kerbside collections that accept black plastic. Plant labels are also recyclable.
Will Carp or Ducks Eat My Plants?
Carp (inc. Koi): These fish find pond plants irresistible! If you have carp, we recommend protecting your plants with barriers.
Goldfish: Goldfish may nibble on oxygenators and softer plants but generally cause less damage. They also eat insects, larvae, and tadpoles.
Wildfowl: Ducks and other birds may eat plants or damage roots while nesting. Mature plants with strong root systems are more resilient, but consider protecting roots/rhizomes for added security.
Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Prices
Mainland UK
Standard delivery: £6.00
Large plants (e.g., 30ltr waterlilies): pallet delivery - quote required.
Soil & gravel: additional charges apply for multiple bags.
Please email us with your postcode if a delivery price is not displaying at checkout
Highlands & Islands
Small parcels under 1.8kg: £6.00
Standard parcels over 1.8kg: £25.00
All H&I deliveries use 48-hour services
If you’re unsure about delivery costs to your postcode, please email us at.
Container Ponds
Delivery from £30 (postcode-based, please check before ordering)
Shipping to Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Europe
Sorry, we are unable to ship to the above destinations.
Dispatch Schedule
Aquatic Plants
March: Monday and Thursday
April – August: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Late August to October: Monday and Thursday
October – February: Tuesday only
Aquatic plants are dispatched all year round, though frequency reduces during low season.
Garden Plants
Dispatched all year round - Tuesday & Thursday
Are plants dispatched the same day as ordering?
No. Live plants require draining and careful preparation. The nurseries dispatch in scheduled batches rather than on-demand. This means same-day dispatch isn’t possible, but we always aim to send your order as promptly as we can within our dispatch schedule.
If you’d like to check when your order is likely to arrive, just email us and we’ll be happy to advise.
Delivery and Couriers
We use trusted UK couriers:
APC and Royal Mail for pond plants
DX for garden plants
Pallet deliveries for 30ltr waterlilies, large landscape orders and container ponds
Delivery Times
APC and DX orders are sent on overnight services but may take up to 48 hours depending on your local depot.
Royal Mail parcels usually arrive within 24–48 hours.
Plants are packed in damp soil and remain safe in transit for several days.
Tracking and Safe Place Instructions
Your dispatch email will contain tracking information where applicable.
Couriers are instructed to leave parcels in a safe place with no signature required. You can add your own delivery notes using the links below. We recommend requesting a cool, shaded spot so the plants stay fresh on arrival.
APC - https://apcchoice.apc-overnight.com/
Royal Mail - will use your email and mobile number provided during ordering to send delivery updates and enable you to add safe-place instructions.
Please do not delay delivery of live plants.
Royal Mail will never ask you to make an additional payment for a delivery. If you receive a message requesting payment, please delete it and do not click any links. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, email us and we’ll be happy to advise
Damages & Returns
If your order arrives damaged, please take photos of the packaging and plants and email us with your PFP order number.
Due to bio-security and the perishable nature of plants, we cannot accept returns of plants or molluscs.
Container ponds are handmade to order and non-returnable unless damaged.
For full details, please see our returns policy
Need Help?
If you have any questions about delivery or dispatch times, please email us
Plants Delivered with Care Across the UK
Based in Hertfordshire, we ship plants across the UK, ensuring they reach you in tip-top condition to enhance your pond with vibrant, healthy greenery. Supporting a small, local business like ours means getting a personal touch – no big teams, no call centres, just real, knowledgeable help from people who care.
