Red Perennial Flowers

These red perennial flowers are popular choices for adding vibrant color to gardens.

Deadheading flowers will encourage some of these perennial plants to continue blooming for months.

Salvia

Salvia features upward growing spikes of flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. The flower shape provides an idea spot for pollinators to land and enjoy.

Perennial Salvia are cold hardy down to Zone 3 and feature flowers in colors of red, white, purple and cream. They feature aromatic blooms and foliage, and an array of flat mat-forming mounds to upright growing clumps. 

Salvia ranges from 12 to 24 inches tall and blooms from June through September. Remove dead flower stalks to keep the plant looking fresh.

Astilbe

Astilbe has fluffy plumes in colors of red, purple, pink and white. Some varieties are compact, growing only 14″ – 16″ high, while others can grow as tall as 48″. Compact varieties are perfect for small gardens, border fronts, or container plantings.

Astilbes are long-lived perennials that are most comfortable when grown in rich soil and light shade to filtered sun. They will grow in full shade, but will not bloom as prolifically there.

It’s recommended to avoid cutting Astilbe back in the winter, as the old foliage helps protect the plant from winter damage. It’s best to prune in early spring, before the new growth begins.

Daylily

seed pods to keep plants tidy.

Daylilies grow best in full sun and can tolerate dry hot conditions. You will often see them used in landscaping around parking lots or along roadways for this reason. To keep them blooming at top performance, plan to divide clumps every few years.

Colors and color combinations of daylilies seem almost endless. Some red varieties have a soft velvety look that are stunning.

Yarrow

Yarrows are distinguished by airy lacy foliage and flat flower clusters that open atop multiple stems. Colors of yarrow range from red to pink, white, purple, yellow, orange, salmon and peach.

Yarrow can grow from 12″ to 48″ tall. Taller varieties may require staking. Full sunlight and pruning helps keeps the plants compact and strong.

Yarrow is a wonderful plant for flower arrangements and consistently cutting flowers keeps them sending out small bunches of compact blooms.

Penstemon

Penstemon are easy-care perennial plants that grow in upright mounds with spikes of flowers in many colors, including red, white, rose, blue, purple, and bi-color. 

Full sun and drought tolerant, Penstemon only requires occasional watering. Useful in the rock garden as focal points or for vertical interest in containers.

Penstemon can spread via self-seeding, but are not considered invasive. Divide every few years to rejuvenate the plant.

Coneflower

Coneflowers are sturdy perennials that bloom in many colors such as red, yellow, pink, orange and gold. The spiky centers are often tipped in colors that make them appear to glow.

Varieties can range from 12″ high to 5 feet high. Deadhead Coneflowers often to extend bloom time, and use for long-lasting flower arrangements.

Coneflowers grow in full sun and adapt well to poor soil. It’s easy to harvest coneflower seeds from the spiky center and grow new plants.

Poppy

Poppies are typically perennials as far as Zone 7. Look for crepe-papery flower petals in vivid colors of red, white, yellow and hot pink and orange.

Poppy plants love full sun but will grow in partial sun and afternoon shade, especially in the warmer growing zones. They prefer well-drained moist to slightly drier soils, and are tolerant of a wide range of soil types.

The center of the poppy flower where the seeds are produced is unique with star-like furry shapes. Deadhead regularly to keep the plants from self-seeding.

Bee Balm

Bee Balm is a hardy perennial plant with flower colors ranging from red, purple and pink to Varieties range from 12″ tall to 48″ tall.

Hummingbirds and butterflies love bee balm. They are entertaining to watch as they bounce around the tops of the spiky flowers.

Bee Balm is an easy perennial to grow in full sun to part shade but can become invasive under certain conditions. Heat tolerance makes it an ideal choice for dry soil, and its minty foliage is deer resistance.

Peony