Red flowers can add a welcome burst of color to a garden, whether they grow along a walkway, fill a flower bed, or brighten a patio. From early spring shrubs to annuals that bloom until frost, these 18 plants offer plenty of ways to enjoy red flowers throughout the growing season.
Flowering Quince
Flowering quince produces bright red blossoms on bare branches in early spring, often before its leaves appear. It’s a hardy shrub for USDA zones 5 through 9 that handles a range of soil conditions once established and needs relatively little care.
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Hibiscus
Red hibiscus flowers can be enormous, making them a striking addition to sunny garden beds, borders, and patio containers. Tropical hibiscus grows best in warm conditions with plenty of sunlight and regular watering, while its cold tolerance depends on the species and variety.
Lantana
Lantana produces clusters of small flowers in red, orange, yellow, or combinations of these shades. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, growing as a perennial in warmer regions and as an annual in colder climates.
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Coreopsis
Coreopsis is known for its long flowering season and easygoing nature, with some varieties producing red or reddish-pink blooms instead of the more familiar yellow flowers. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil for summer color that can last into fall, depending on the variety.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies come in shades ranging from scarlet and crimson to deep burgundy, making them a reliable choice for adding red tones to garden beds. Each flower lasts just one day, but established plants produce plenty of buds, allowing the display to continue for several weeks.
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Coneflower
Red coneflowers bring bold color to summer flower beds while attracting bees and butterflies. They grow well in full sun and well-drained soil, and many varieties return each year in USDA zones 4 through 8.
Bee Balm
Bee balm produces shaggy red flowers that stand out in summer gardens and draw hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. It grows in full sun or partial shade, prefers moist soil, and spreads over time, so give it room or divide the plants when needed.
Shrub Rose
Red shrub roses offer classic rose blooms without always requiring the intensive care some traditional rose varieties do. Many flower from late spring into fall and grow best in full sun, with disease resistance and hardiness varying by cultivar.
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Geranium
Hardy perennial geraniums can bring red or reddish-pink flowers to borders, containers, and cottage gardens through much of the growing season. They prefer well-drained soil and grow in full sun or partial shade, depending on the variety.
Penstemon (Penstemon spp.)
Red penstemons have upright stems lined with tubular flowers that hummingbirds often visit. Most prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them a good choice for sunny borders and pollinator gardens.
Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush shrubs get their name from their unusual red flowers, which resemble brushes used to clean bottles. They grow well in sunny, warm climates and can attract hummingbirds and other pollinators; mature size depends on the species.
Azalea
Red azaleas bring a striking display of flowers to gardens in spring, often covering the shrubs in blooms before many other plants have started flowering. They prefer acidic, well-drained soil and usually do best in partial shade or filtered sunlight, though growing needs vary among varieties.
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Blanket Flower
Blanket flowers have daisy-like blooms in red, orange, yellow, and burgundy, with some varieties showing several colors on a single flower. They thrive in full sun, tolerate dry conditions once established, and can flower from early summer into fall.
Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Fuchsias produce graceful, often pendulous flowers in red and other bright shades that can attract hummingbirds. They generally prefer cooler conditions and protection from harsh afternoon sun, making them a good choice for hanging baskets and shaded patio containers.
Petunia
Red petunias add long-lasting color to window boxes, hanging baskets, containers, and flower beds. With plenty of sunlight, regular watering, and occasional removal of faded flowers, they typically bloom from late spring until frost.
Phlox
Red phlox brings clusters of flowers to garden borders and can attract butterflies and other pollinators. Bloom time depends on the species, with some flowering in spring and others in summer; most prefer well-drained soil and enough moisture to keep them growing well.
Columbine
Red columbines, including varieties with yellow centers, produce delicate flowers that hummingbirds especially love in spring. They grow well in full sun or light shade and suit woodland borders, naturalized gardens, and areas with well-drained soil.
Zinnias
Zinnias are easy-to-grow annuals that produce red flowers from early summer until frost. Sow them in a sunny spot after the danger of frost has passed, and remove faded blooms regularly to encourage more flowers through the season.
