The scarlet red flowers can often be seen growing wild along streams and ponds in the Eastern and Central United States. They are a summertime favorite
of hummingbirds, which will stop by often while they are in flower. This varied genus is sometimes included in the Campanulaceae or Bellflower family.
Blooming in summer, their brilliant scarlet red 1½ inch flowers have exserted stamens and cluster in slender erect racemes. The asymmetric flowers have a
tubular corolla that opens into 2 distinct lips; the 2 upper lobed and the 3 lower lobed.
Flowers are borne on sturdy, erect, unbranched, leafy stems high above the basal clumps of foliage. The alternate, dark green or reddish leaves are lanceolate,
pointed and toothed, and can be up to 6 inches long.
They are very suitable for naturalizing along streams and ponds, and may self-sow. When used in beds and borders they are often short lived. Due to extensive
breeding there are many hybrids and cultivars to chose from, ranging in colors from white, pinks and bicolored flowers.
