Types of red flowers offer a lot of choices in the flower kingdom, as it is a very common color. Ranging from rarest to the most common types of flowers, red is a staple color.
Read on if you want to discover what types of red flowers you can choose from and which you can add to your plant collection.
Contents
- List of Red Flowers
- 1. Cardinal Flower
- 2. Prickly Pear
- 3. Sweet Pea
- 4. Scarlet Beebalm
- 5. Crape Myrtle
- 6. Peruvian Lily
- 7. Water Lily
- 8. Calla Lily
- 9. Bleeding Heart
- 10. Red Sunflower
- 11. Blanket Flower
- 12. Gerbera Daisy
- 13. Morning Glory
- 14. Red Carnation
- 15. Red trumpet Creeper
- 16. Red Rose
- 17. Royal Poinciana
- 18. Red Hibiscus
- 19. Red Tulip
- 20. Red Chrysanthemum
- Conclusion
List of Red Flowers
1. Cardinal Flower
The Cardinal flower has the scientific name Lobelia cardinalis. It is a species from the Campanulacaea family, a flowering plant native to parts of America. This beautiful red flower is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches a height of four feet tall and is commonly found in wet places.
Its blooms with five-lobed radiant red flowers produced in an erect raceme that grows up to 28 inches tall during the summer to fall seasons.
Cardinal flowers thrive best in fertile, moist soil that is rich in organic matter placed in a location with morning sun and aftreward in the shade of the afternoon. Water your plants deeply in the absence of rain. It is best to plant them during the spring season and place them about one foot apart.
2. Prickly Pear
Opuntia has the common name Prickly pear, Pear cactus, or Nopal, from the cactus family Cactaceae. The genus of this flowering plant was named after the city of Opus in Ancient Greece, in which, it is an edible plant grown and propagated by rooting its leaves.
Note that the Prickly pear grows with flat and rounded cladodes with big, smooth, and fixed spines. It has large, solitary, red flowers. Some species of prickly pear are cultivated as ornamentals for those showy red flowers, which bloom from the months of June to July.
They are easily propagated by using some stem segments planted in spring or summer while being exposed to full sun.
3. Sweet Pea
Sweet pea or Lathyrus odorathus is a genus of flowering plants from the Fabaceae family. Native to the Aegean islands and Sicily in Southern Italy, this annual is a climbing plant that grows up to three feet to seven feet in height. Sweet peas have large red flowers, which are highly variable and fragrant, held by stems that twine around to climb.
Sweet pea plants can withstand cold weather despite their delicate look. Plant them in the late fall if you are in mild winter climate and in late winter if you are in frost locations. Keep the soil moist and cool by putting mulch when the plant is established.
4. Scarlet Beebalm
Monarda didyma was also called Scarlet bee balm, Scarlet monarda, Oswego tea, Crimson beebalm, or Bergamot. Its genus was named after a scientist who described the first American flora, Nicolas Monardes.
Scarlet beebalm is from the herb family Lamiaceae, which is native to parts of eastern North America.
It has a distinctive minty aroma and is considered similar to the bergamot orange, thus its other common name, Bergamot.
Scarlet beebalm provides beautiful colored flowers perfect for cottage gardens, meadows, perennial borders, and many more.
To help your beebalm perform its best, plant it in moist, well-draining soil with full sun. Its lovely flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators.
5. Crape Myrtle
The genus name Lagerstroemia is commonly known as Crape myrtle, also spelled Crepe myrtle, and this is how it’s popularly known.
It is a species of evergreen trees, deciduous, and shrubs native to Southeast Asia, northern Australia, some parts of Oceania, and the Indian continent. These flowering trees are often cultivated as ornamentals for their beautiful showy red flowers, which also come in many colors, but most famously the red ones.
Crape myrtle is a multi-trunk tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall would become 15 feet wide, but there are also more miniature varieties. Keep in mind that they are best to plant in the fall or early spring, just be sure to water them well. These plants prefer full sun as they are extremely heat-tolerant but can also withstand winter temperatures.
6. Peruvian Lily
Alstroemeria was famous for its name Peruvian lily or Lily of the Incas. Belonging to the family Alstroemeriaceae, Alstroemeria is a genus of flowering plants that are native to South America and naturalized in the United States, New Zealand, Mexico, Australia, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.
Peruvian Lily plants offer abundant flowers when located in full sun locations. They like fertile, well-draining soils that are slightly acidic with regular moisture achieved by giving them at least around one inch of water every week. Note that they are easy to care for, as they are free of serious diseases and pests.
7. Water Lily
Another flowering plant that is known for its red flower is the water lilies. The beautiful Water lily with the family name Nymphaeaceae is a flowering plant and rhizomatous aquatic herb commonly found in temperate and tropical climates around the world.
Water lilies’ flowers can be commonly seen floating above the water on top of fleshy oval-shaped leaves commonly found in ponds, streams, lakes, and ditches.
Aside from red flowers, water lilies also come in shades of pastel orange, pink, yellow, and white. However, the red is also mixed with a bit of burgundy and pink, which is why it is very significant.
Water lilies are best planted in spring and bloom around the months of June to October. They need plenty of light while keeping their water clean and sufficient. In terms of soil type, they prefer loamy, clay, or sandy soil.
8. Calla Lily
The genus Zantedeschia is composed of eight species of perennial, herbaceous, flowering plants in the family Araceae. They are native to Southern Africa and have been introduced on all continents but Antarctica. Calla lily symbolizes rebirth and resurrection.
Aside from its pure white flower, as it is always seen and known, the modern hybrids of Calla lilies come in a large array of colors. Its flowers, also known as spathes, make excellent cut flower arrangements, borders, mass planting, and containers.
Calla lily is known for being easy to grow and care for in gardening. They like full sun to partial shade with bright but indirect sunlight, planted deep in porous soil.
However, the most ideal time to plant is anytime between February and June, but you must make sure to handle the plants with care as they are highly dangerous to pets and humans, so no one would try to consume it.
9. Bleeding Heart
Lamprocapnos spectabilis, commonly known as Bleeding heart, Asian bleeding heart, Lady-in-a-bath, Heart flower, Lyre flower, or Fallopian buds, belongs to the family Papaveraceae, a species of flowering plants native to Korea, Japan, Siberia, and northern China.
The Bleeding heart is valued by florists and gardeners for its heart-shaped flower that comes in a wide range of colors, including pink, yellow, white, rose, wine, violet, red, and sometimes a combination of these colors. The most rare kind would the red one, of course, because of its vibrancy.
Remember that to care for a Bleeding heart properly, you must make sure to provide consistent moisture to the soil through regular watering. It prefers organic soil located in a partly shady area.
However, to care for the flower and to see it bloom properly, you must regularly fertilize the plant while it’s growing. When the foliage emerges in spring, put plant food around the roots as an additional compost to encourage more abundant and longer-lasting blooms.
10. Red Sunflower
These velvety textured flowers in shades from rich red to burnt orange are a different variety of Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, and the most recognizable garden flowers. In addition to its traditional yellow-colored flowers, it also comes in shades of deep red, creamy white, and orange.
These sunflowers are considered annuals native to North America. They reach a typical height of 10 feet, displaying broad, rough, alternately arranged leaves. However, the flowers bloom from the month of June to September, the flower is actually a flower head consisting of numerous individual five-petal florets.
These sunflower loves to absorb full sun and can withstand some drought, but it needs regular watering to encourage root development, which is how they are resilient.
11. Blanket Flower
Blanket flower is the common name of Gaillardia, which also gives us daisy-like lovely red flowers that many cultivars have been bred for ornamental use. The Blanket flower is a member of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is, however, native to North and South America.
The Blanket flower is an easy-to-grow, short-lived perennial perfect for borders and containers. It appreciates poor to well-draining soil and thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Note that after planting, water deeply to encourage root growth, and to see it thrive and keep growing. The plant does better in dry, hot climates over cool ones.
12. Gerbera Daisy
Another red flower on our list is from the Asteraceae family, the Gerbera daisy. It is also called by several other names such as Transvaal daisy, Barberton Daisy, and African daisy. Its genus was named to honor Traugott Gerber, a medical doctor and German botanist.
Gerbera daisies make you ask if they are real, as their flowers are so vividly colored. They have large multicolored flowers with ray-like petals, which bloom from the summer to fall. To care for the Gerbera daisy, the soil type must be moist and well-draining, providing full sun to partial shade exposure.
13. Morning Glory
Belonging in the family of Convolvulaceae, Ipomoea nil or the Morning glory is a common name for flower that have over 1,000 species that also offer red flowers. It is primarily known in China for its medicinal uses, specifically its leaves, which have laxative properties. Meanwhile, Aztec priests in Mexico used this plant for its hallucinogenic properties.
Morning glories are tender annuals, which means they cannot tolerate cool temperatures and frost. However, they are low maintenance, provided that you water them during dry spells. They prefer a sunny spot to absorb fully and can be planted in moderately fertile and well-draining soil to bloom at their best.
14. Red Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus is a species native to the Mediterranean region and was mentioned in Greek literature 2,000 years ago. Carnation or Clove pink is the common name of Dianthus caryophyllus.
It is a herbaceous perennial plant, that would grow up to 2.5 feet tall. However, its leaves are long and slender, and its red flowers that are produces have a very sweet-scented that fill up the garden as they grow.
They also come in a wide array of colors, including white, yellow, blue, and green, and these are some reasons why gardeners love to keep them in their gardens.
Note that carnations are one of the most recognizable plants for gardeners due to their wide variety, different-colored flowers, and the fact that they are easier to care for. Carnations grow best with full sun exposure planted in fertile, slightly alkalized, and well-draining soil.
15. Red trumpet Creeper
Campsis radicans is also even made familiar as it is called Trumpet vine or Trumpet creeper, in North America, it is called Cow itch vine or hummingbird vine. It is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Bignoniaceae, which produces red trumpet-shaped flowers that grow on a vine and bloom throughout summer into fall.
Red trumpet creeper is a fast-growing perennial vine that can grow up to 33 feet. It is an invasive plant, which is the reason why it requires adequate care and regular pruning. It thrives very well in full sun to partial shade when planted in well-draining soil. Make sure to choose a perfect location prior to planting, specifically sturdy support for its vines.
16. Red Rose
One of the most popular flowers among gardeners and florists is the red rose due to its beautiful fragrant blooms and easy-to-grow characteristics. Red roses are from the Rosaceae family, a woody perennial flowering plant with over 300 species and 10,000 cultivars.
Most of the roses’ species are native to Asia, while other smaller numbers are native to northwestern Africa, Europe, and North America. They can be either climbing, erect shrubs, or trailing, which have stems with sharp prickles.
Red roses will require that you plant them in a full sun location with regular fertilization, regular watering to keep the soil moist, and pruning, these are their key requirements. They prefer to be planted during spring or fall, you just have to make sure that you keep them away from powdery mildew, which typically appears in the summer season, by pruning the bush.
17. Royal Poinciana
Delonix regia is the scientific name for Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant, Flame tree, Phoenix flower, or Flame of the forest. It is a species of flowering plant in the Fabaceae family, which is native to Madagascar in Africa.
Royal Poinciana is grown as an ornamental tree that can reach heights of 30 feet to 40 feet and width of 40 feet to 70 feet.
Producing large, showy abundant red flowers, which also come in shades of scarlet, crimson, to orange-red, the plant has its blooms in the summer season.
This beautiful, vibrantly colored giant loves to be planted in loamy, sandy, well-draining soil with full sun exposure. Keep it watered regularly during the spring, summer, and early fall. Make sure to provide it with enough space to grow as it spreads broadly, and keep it away from structures that it might overtake.
18. Red Hibiscus
Another plant on our list of those that produce red flowers is Hibiscus. It is the genus name of a flowering plant from the family Malvaceae. This genus is composed of several hundred species native to temperate, tropical, and sub-tropical regions around the world. The generic name hibiscus includes annuals, perennials, small trees, and woody shrubs.
Red hibiscus has large, trumpet-shaped flowers with colors ranging from red, blue, white, pink, orange, yellow, purple, and peach, but most notably they are red.
Its flower contains a good amount of vitamin C and is where the popular beverage Hibiscus tea came from.
In order to maintain your Hibiscus plant, provide it with full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. It also prefers supplemental water and some pruning to be established. Whereas the soil must be somewhere between 6.5 to 6.8 as its pH level, in short, slightly acidic.
19. Red Tulip
Tulips in our list became popular among garden flowers, as they also produce bright red flowers perfect for your garden. It is a genus of spring-blooming perennials, which produce brightly colored flowers in early spring.
Its stem typically grows vertical, and its flowers are arranged in a single terminal flower with three petals and three sepals.
It also makes an excellent choice for formal garden plantings, such as beds and borders, especially with the variety of colors that it has, where the red one is actually the most attractive one.
On the other hand, note that tulips are perfect to plant during fall so that the bulbs have time to establish themselves. They flourish in well-draining loamy soil as long as you provide them with water during a dry spell. They are remarkably free from the attack of garden pests.
20. Red Chrysanthemum
Native to northeastern Europe and East Asia, the genus Chrysanthemum from the family Asteraceae is a flowering plant that is sometimes called Mums or Chrysanths. They have several horticultural varieties and cultivars that exist to this day.
This perennial herbaceous plant produces red flowers that range from pincushion petite size to giant spiders.
The flowers also come in a wide variety of colors, such as lavender, pink, orange, yellow, purple, and white. Mums are best planted during early spring, and they are susceptible to mites, aphids, and powdery mildew, so look out for these diseases and pests.
Conclusion
Every type of red flower on our list may vary from the planting method, growing conditions, and growing techniques to the shape of their flower. However, they surely offer the same amount of beauty that is essential to your garden.
There are different types of flowers that are red as their key property would be to add vibrancy to your garden and make it look attractive. Overall, we hope you find the perfect red flower you are looking for, believing that it will be a great choice to accompany the other flowers in your collection.
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