Types Of Red Flowers

If you want to add some serious energy to your garden, few things do it better than types of red flowers. These vibrant and colorful varieties can create a focal point, attract hummingbirds, and make a bold statement from spring until fall. Let’s look at some of the best red blooms you can grow, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.

Red flowers come in every shape and size. They can be tall and dramatic or small and charming. The key is to pick the right plant for your space and light conditions. This guide will help you choose.

Here is a rundown of fantastic red flowering plants, organized by how they grow. This list includes annuals, perennials, shrubs, and even bulbs. There’s something for every garden style here.

Annual Red Flowers (Grow for One Season)

Annuals are perfect for guaranteed color all summer long. You plant them after the last frost, and they bloom non-stop until the first frost in fall. They’re great for containers, baskets, and filling gaps.

Geranium (Pelargonium): A classic container flower. Geraniums offer bright red clusters of blooms and scented leaves. They love full sun and are very drought-tolerant once established.
Salvia (Annual variety): Spikes of tiny red flowers that are a magnet for hummingbirds and bees. They provide a vertical element and bloom for months with deadheading.
Begonia: For shady spots, red begonias are unbeatable. Their glossy green leaves make the red flowers pop. Wax begonias are tough and bloom constantly without much fuss.
Petunia: A sprawling, trailing plant ideal for hanging baskets. Modern varieties are very heat-tolerant. They might need a mid-summer trim to stay looking there best.

Perennial Red Flowers (Come Back Year After Year)

Perennials are a long-term investment. They die back in winter but return each spring from their roots. They often have shorter bloom periods than annuals, but their structure adds to the garden.

Bee Balm (Monarda): This native plant has unique, shaggy red flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds adore. It prefers full sun to part shade and can spread politely.
Peony: The queen of the late spring garden. Red peonies produce enormous, fragrant blooms. They need a cold winter and take a few years to establish but then live for decades.
Daylily (Hemerocallis): Not a true lily, but just as easy. Each trumpet-shaped bloom lasts only a day, but the plant produces many over weeks. They are incredibly adaptable and low-maintenance.
Asters: A late-season superstar. Red asters bloom in fall, providing crucial nectar for pollinators when little else is flowering. They add a nice pop of color as the season winds down.

Red Flowering Bulbs

Bulbs are planted in one season to bloom in the next. They’re a suprise gift in the garden, often among the first or last flowers of the year.

Tulips: The iconic spring bulb. Red tulips come in many shapes, from classic cups to fringed and parrot forms. Many treat them as annuals, as they don’t always rebloom well.
Dahlias: Summer and fall blooming tubers. Red dahlias range from tiny pompoms to dinner-plate-sized blooms. They need to be dug up and stored in cold winter climates.
Gladiolus: Tall, stately spikes of flowers excellent for cutting. Plant the corms every two weeks in spring for a succession of blooms. They often need staking.

Red Flowering Shrubs and Vines

These add permanent structure and major impact. Shrubs and vines form the “bones” of your garden and often provide multi-season interest.

Rose: The ultimate red flower. There are thousands of varieties, from climbing to shrub types. Look for disease-resistant modern varieties for easier care.
Azalea/Rhododendron: Spring-blooming shrubs that prefer acidic soil and part shade. Their brilliant red flowers cover the plant completely, creating a stunning display.
Trumpet Vine (Campsis): A vigorous, fast-growing vine with clusters of trumpet-shaped red-orange flowers. Hummingbirds love it, but it needs a strong support and can be aggressive.
Weigela: A friendly shrub with arching branches covered in bell-shaped flowers in late spring. Some varieties have burgundy foliage, which extends their interest even after blooming.

How to Plant and Care for Red Flowers

Getting the basics right ensures your red flowers thrive. It’s not complicated, but paying attention to a few key steps makes all the difference.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Spot

Most red flowering plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun for the best color and most blooms. Always check the plant tag. Red flowers in too much shade will often look washed out or pinkish and may not bloom well.

Step 2: Preparing the Soil

Good soil is the secret. Most plants like well-draining soil. Work in some compost or aged manure before planting. This improves drainage in clay and helps retain water in sand. A soil test can tell you if you need to adjust the pH.

Step 3: Planting Correctly

Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball but no deeper.
Gently loosen the roots if the plant is pot-bound.
Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
Backfill with soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly.

Step 4: Watering and Feeding

Water deeply right after planting. Then, water when the top inch of soil feels dry. A layer of mulch helps conserve moisture. Feed your plants with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring. Over-fertilizing can lead to lots of leaves and few flowers.

Step 5: Keeping Them Blooming

To encourage more flowers, you need to deadhead. This means removing spent blooms before they go to seed. For many plants, like geraniums and salvia, this signals them to produce more flowers instead of seeds. Just pinch or snip off the old flower head.

Design Tips for Using Red Flowers

Red is a powerful color in the garden. Use it wisely to create the effect you want.

Create a Focal Point: A single large red plant, like a rose bush or a cluster of red dahlias, naturally draws the eye. Place it where you want people to look.
Use with Complementary Colors: Red looks stunning next to green (its complement on the color wheel). It also pairs beautifully with white, silver, and deep purple for a sophisticated look.
Add Heat to a Cool Garden: In a garden of blues and purples, a splash of red adds exciting contrast and warmth. Just a little goes a long way.
Go Monochromatic: For a dramatic statement, plant different types of red flowers together. Use varying textures and heights—spiky red salvia behind mounding red begonias, for example.

FAQ About Red Flowers

What are some good red flowers for full sun?
Geraniums, Salvia, Zinnias, Peonies, and most Roses thrive in full sun.

What red flowers grow well in shade?
Begonias, Astilbe, and some varieties of Fuchsia and Impatiens are excellent for shady areas.

Which red flowers attract hummingbirds?
Bee Balm, Salvia, Trumpet Vine, and Cardinal Flower are all hummingbird favorites due to their tube-shaped blooms.

Are there red flowers that bloom all summer?
Yes! Annuals like Geraniums, Petunias, and Zinnias, if deadheaded, will bloom continuously from planting until frost.

What is a easy-care red perennial?
Daylilies are famously low-maintenance. Once planted, they need minimal care and will reliably bloom for years.

How do I make my red flowers look more vibrant?
Ensure they get enough sun. Also, potassium in fertilizer can sometimes intensify flower color. Pairing them with contrasting colors like white or silver makes them stand out more.

Adding types of red flowers to your garden is a surefire way to boost its visual appeal. With so many vibrant and colorful varieties available, you can enjoy red blooms from early spring right through to the first frost. Start with one or two that suit your conditions, and you’ll soon appreciate the dynamic energy they bring to your outdoor space.