Top 21 red perennials for every garden
Red flowering perennials are a red-hot addition to any garden, adding a bold and dramatic pop of eye-catching color.
The perennials on the list below are versatile, adding a touch of elegance to a garden or brightening up a shady corner. Like all perennials, they bloom year after year, making them a low-maintenance option for gardeners.
Whether you’re looking for deep ruby reds, fiery scarlets or bright coral pinks, red flowering perennials have you covered. They’re perfect for creating bold focal points in a garden, complementing other flowering plants or even making a statement as a standalone feature.
From classic varieties like peonies and tulips, to unique options like bee balm and yarrow, the choices for red flowering perennials are endless. Ready to add a touch of fiery passion to your garden this season and see the results for yourself?
1. Burning Love (Lychnis chalcedonica)
Burning love is one of my favorites and a must-have for any gardener going for the cottage garden trend. This red-flowering plant can grow up to 60-90 cm (24-36 inches) tall and prefers full sun exposure for best performance.
Burning Love thrives in well-drained soil and doesn’t tolerate heavy or wet soil. The blooms of this plant are abundant and long-lasting, making it an excellent choice for adding color to your garden.
Height: 60-90 cm ( 24-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer
2. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia spp.)
Red Hot Poker not only has a great name, but it also has spikes of tubular, red, or orange flowers that resemble pokers, making it worthy of its title. This plant can grow up to 90-150 cm (36-60 inches) tall and prefers full sun to partial shade exposure.
Red Hot Poker is adaptable to various soil types, but prefers well-drained soils. The blooms of this plant appear in the late spring to early summer and add bold, vibrant color wherever you’re growing it.
Height: 60-120 cm (2-4 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
3. Red Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Red Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) is a must-have for any pollinator-friendly garden. It’s a fragrant and colorful perennial plant known for its spikes of deep red or pink flowers. This plant can grow up to 60-90 cm (24-36 inches) tall and prefers full sun to partial shade exposure.
Red Bee Balm thrives in well-drained soils, especially those with a high organic content. The blooms of this plant appear in the mid to late summer, attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds to your garden.
Want to grow your own bee balm or know when it’s time to harvest? Click here for our quick guide to all things Bee Balm (Monarda).
Height: 60-120 cm (2-4 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
4. Red Canna Lily (Canna spp.)
Red Canna (Canna spp.) is a tropical-looking perennial plant known for its large, lush green leaves and bright red flowers that hummingbirds adore! This easy-to-grow plant can grow up to 1.5-3 m (5-10 feet) tall and prefers full sun exposure. Red Canna prefers moist, well-drained soil, making it a good choice for water gardens or near a pond or stream.
The blooms of this plant appear in the late summer to early fall, adding a tropical touch and bold color to any garden.
Looking for more tall perennials that work great in the back of your flower borders? Check out my top picks here.
Height: 90-180 cm (3-6 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Moist, well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
5. Red Poppy (Papaver spp.)
Red poppies are 100% summer around here in Denmark. They are hardy perennials with delicate, tissue-paper like flowers in shades of red, pink, and orange.
They prefer full sun and well-draining soil and are often used as a naturalized ground cover. They are short-lived perennials, but they self-seed readily, making them a low-maintenance choice for the garden.
Height: 30-60 cm (1-2 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer
6. Red Peony (Paeonia spp.)
Red peonies are loved for their large, showy blooms in shades of red, pink, and white. They’re long-living perennials that can be planted in full sun or part shade, and they prefer well-draining soil. They bloom in late spring or early summer, making them a popular choice for gardens and gorgeous cut flower arrangements.
Height: 60-120 cm (2-4 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Early to mid-summer
7. Red Yarrow (Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen')
Red yarrow is a hardy perennial with clusters of small, nectar-rich flowers in shades of red, pink, and orange. And that nectar will attract bees and butterflies like crazy!
They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they are often used as a naturalized ground cover. They bloom in summer, and they are one of the best choices for attracting pollinators.
Height: 60-90 cm (2-3 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Well-draining, tolerates poor soil
Blooms: Summer to fall
8. Red Rose (Rosa spp.)
Here comes a classic. Red roses are icons of the garden. You’ll find them available in a wide range of cultivars, from climbers to shrubs to ground covers, and they prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They’re most often used in landscapes, as cut flowers, or in rose gardens.
Height: Varies depending on the variety
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
9. Red Iris (Iris spp.)
Red Iris (Iris spp.) is a stunning perennial plant known for its tall spikes of brightly colored red flowers. This plant can grow up to 60-90 cm (24-36 inches) tall and prefers full sun to partial shade exposure.
Red Iris thrives in well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. The blooms of this plant appear in the spring, adding a bold punch of color to any garden or container garden.
Height: 60-90 cm (2-3 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining, tolerates wet soil
Blooms: Early to mid-summer
10. Red Salvia (Salvia spp.)
Red salvia are hardy perennials with spikes of showy, nectar-rich flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they’re often used as a focal point in the garden. They bloom in summer, making them a popular choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.
Height: 60-120 cm (2-4 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
11. Red Alcea | Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Red hollyhocks are a favorite in cottage gardens across Europe. And it’s easy to see why. This is a beautiful perennial plant known for its tall spikes of vibrant red or pink flowers. This plant can grow up to 1.5-3 m (5-10 feet) tall and prefers full sun exposure.
Red Alcea prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a variety of soil types. The blooms of this plant appear in the mid to late summer, adding a bold touch of color and grace to any garden. For best results, be sure you tie it to a fence or wall so the heavy blooms don’t weigh the stem down.
Height: 90-180 cm (3-6 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
12. Red Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Red phlox is a hardy perennial with clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple — an absolute feast for butterflies and bees. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they are often used as a focal point in the garden. They bloom in summer, making them a popular choice for cut flower arrangements.
Height: 60-120 cm (2-4 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
13. Red Delphinium | Red Lark (Delphinium spp.)
Red Delphinium (Delphinium spp.) is a fiery perennial plant known for its tall spikes of brightly colored red flowers. This plant can grow up to 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 feet) tall and prefers full sun to partial shade exposure.
Red Delphinium prefers well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. The blooms of this plant appear in the mid to late summer, adding a bold touch of color at the end of the growing season.
Height: 90-180 cm (3-6 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer
14. Red Foxglove (Digitalis spp.)
Red Foxglove (Digitalis spp.) is a showstopper of a perennial known for its spikes of deep red or pink tubular flowers. This plant can grow up to 1-1.5 m (3-5 feet) tall and prefers partial shade exposure.
Red Foxglove prefers well-drained, moist soil and can tolerate a variety of soil types. The blooms of this plant appear in the late spring to early summer, adding a bold touch of color and elegance to any garden.
Height: 60-120 cm (2-4 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer
15. Red Gaillardia (Gaillardia spp.)
Red gaillardia is a hardy perennial with daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They love full sun and well-draining soil and are often used as a naturalized ground cover. They bloom in summer, and they are a popular choice for gardens and cut flower arrangements.
Height: 30-60 cm (1-2 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
16. Red Veronica | Red Fox (Veronica spp.)
Red veronica is a hardy perennial with spikes of showy flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. They thrive in full sun with well-draining soil. You’ve probably seen it used as a focal point in the garden. They bloom in summer, making them a popular choice for cut flower arrangements.
Height: 60-90 cm (2-3 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
17. Red Echinacea | Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Red coneflower is a hardy perennial with large, showy flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they are often used as a focal point in the garden. They bloom in summer, making them a great choice for attracting butterflies and bees.
Height: 60-90 cm (2-3 ft)
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Well-draining
Blooms: Summer to fall
18. Red Lily (Lilium spp.)
Red lilies are tall, stately perennials with large, fragrant flowers in shades of red, pink, and orange. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they are often used as a focal point in the garden. They bloom in late spring or early summer and look great in the garden or in cut flower arrangements.
Height: 90-150 cm (36-60 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Well-drained
Blooms: Mid to late summer
19. Red Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
Red daylilies are hardy perennials with large, showy flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they are often used as a naturalized ground cover. They bloom in summer, and they are a popular choice for gardens and cut flower arrangements.
Height: 30-90 cm (12-36 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Well-drained
Blooms: Late spring to early summer
20. Red Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Red coreopsis is a hardy perennial with daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they are often used as a naturalized ground cover. They bloom in the late summer and are a popular choice for gardens and cut flower arrangements.
Height: 30-60 cm (12-24 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained
Blooms: Mid to late summer
21. Red Sedum (Sedum spp.)
Red sedum is a hardy perennial with clusters of star-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, and orange. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, and they are a popular choice for gardens and rock gardens.
Height: 5-30 cm (2-12 inches)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil type: Well-drained
Blooms: Late summer to early fall.
Please note that there are many other red perennial flowers that bloom all summer. Also, the height, sun exposure, soil type and blooming time may vary depending on the specific variety and growing conditions. And do note that most bees aren't attracted to the color red. It's true... read why here.
Be sure to check with your favorite gardener or local plant nursery to see what will thrive in your area of the world.
Plant your own red-flowering garden
Looking for complimentary colors to these vibrant reds? Check out pale white perennials here and gorgeous pink-flowering plants here.
Red perennial flowers produce showy displays that any gardener can feel proud of. From Burning Love to summer favorites like poppies and roses, red flowers are the true rockstars of every garden.
Whether you're looking to make a statement with a standalone plant, complement other flowering plants in your garden, or brighten up a shady corner, there’s a red flowering perennial out there to suit your needs.
And with planting season upon us, now is the perfect time to sow your own red flowers just in time for their spring and summer blooms.
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