Red flowers – those who love or hate – adore the undeniable fiery garden exterior. The hue stands out beautifully against the main greens of most landscapes, with red flowers instantly focusing. For many gardeners, red flowers are the heartbeat of the bed and boundary, passion, energy, and timeless charm. Perhaps the familiar line “Rose is Red” is not surprising. From the popular nursery, rhymes come to mind very quickly. These four words etched red flowers into the cultural imagination as a symbol of love and beauty.
Whether it’s the velvety petals of crimson peonies or the flaming spikes of hummingbirds, these flowers offer drama as well as colour. If you’re not a fan of red flower plants, listen to this episode as we offer some options for every imaginable shade of this controversial colour, from magenta pinkish red to dark and moody burgundy.
Expert: Erin Schanen is the creator of the impatience gardener blog and YouTube channel Great gardening author.
Daniel’s red flower plant pick
“Sword Dance” Penny (Paeonia lactiflora “Sword Dance”, Zones 4–9)
“Major Wheeler” Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera Sempervirens “Major Willer”, Zones 4-8)
“Claude Shride” Martagon Lily (Lilium “Claude Shride”, Zones 3–9)
Red trillium (Trillium erectum,zones 3–7)
Carol Red Flower Plant Picks:
“Red Rouge” pink (dianthus “Red Rouge”, Zones 4–9)
‘shishy lantern’ redvein enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus “Fantastic Lanterns”, Zones 4–7)
“Strawberry Field” Gomplena (Gomphrena “Strawberry Field”, Annual)
Red Buckeye (Aesculus Pavia,zones 4–8)
Bonus Plant: “America” Peony (Paonia “America”, Zones 4–9)
Specialist Guest Erin Shanen’s Red Flower Plant Pick:
“Golden Delicious” Pineapple Sage (Salvia Elegance “Golden Delicious”, Zone 7b–10)
Breadseed Poppy (Papaver somniferum and cvs. ,annual)
“Red Giant” (Not in the photo)
Frilled Hybrid Cross
“Ladybug” poppy (Papaver Commutatum “Ladybug”, annual)
“Lucifer” crocodile (Crocodile “Lucifer”, zones 5–9)
All photos from contributors unless otherwise stated.
