Cardinal Flower
The Queen Victoria or, as it is more commonly known, the cardinal flower is a red perennial flower that produces a profusion of flower spikes that bloom densely-compacted, two-lipped florets that come in a fiery, scarlet-red color. It is an award-winning plant that, while not long-lived, propagates by self-seeding in the right conditions. They love soil that is organically rich, with lots of consistent moisture. Plant them under the full sun, or in partial shade in especially hot weather.
Cardinal flowers can grow to a height of 3 to 4 feet and a width of 1 to 2 feet. They are perfect for summer gardens and wild gardens as they attract a lot of beneficial pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Still, they are resistant to deer and rabbits. These flowers are especially hardy and also known to thrive even against drought and poor drainage, but are best planted in USDA zones 3 to 9.
Carnation
Carnations are a favorite for many all over the world. They are given as gifts throughout the year, though they are chosen often for Mother’s Day presents or wedding bouquets. With their romantic, ruffled petals and wide range of colors, carnations are a great addition to any garden.
They grow in gorgeous shades of red and will be a delight both in beds or as cut flowers. Carnations grow anywhere from 12 to 18 inches when mature and are a great choice to add drama and color to bleaker spaces in your garden. They are fairly easy to grow.
Carnations love the full sun and will flower most proficiently when given lots of sunshine. However, they will also be fine in partial shade, especially if the spot you originally planned for has bright, afternoon sun. Morning sunlight is best for these flowers.
Alkaline soils are best for the discerning carnation; be sure that it is well-drained to prevent rot. Water your carnations regularly through the spring, and a bit more in the summertime. When well-established, carnations can be relatively resistant to drought. Carnations grow best in USDA zones 7 through 10.
Chrysanthemum
Also going by the name “Jolly Cheryl,” the chrysanthemum has a cheerful and warm appearance. It is a double flower that has a profusion of juicy, gradient red petals that darken and clump more densely towards the center. It’s a staple piece for any fall garden as it blooms from mid to late fall. They are a favorite in flower arrangements and will look great as cut flowers for basically any application.
Chrysanthemums are perennials that grow as a bushy, compacted mound that reaches a height and width of about 12 to 24 inches. They are quite easy to grow and require only an average amount of effort to thrive. These flowers enjoy and perform best under the full sun in well-drained soil that’s been fertilized with organic matter. Using your compost with them is a good idea! They must be constantly watered and sheltered against strong winds. Chrysanthemums grow quite well in USDA zones 7 to 9.
Cockscomb
Cockscomb receives their name for bearing a resemblance to a rooster’s comb. These velvety, large flowers with their unique shape come in an assortment of colors, including that bright red from their animal’s namesake. They are treated as annual or perennial and make a perfect addition to wreaths and other flower arrangements once cut and dried. They’re certainly a very interesting shape to have in your garden and are worth planting for their uniqueness alone!
The cockscomb performs best in areas under the full sun. They are partial to moist soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. It also helps to have the soil fertilized with compost. The soil must be kept well-drained to avoid fungal diseases or rotting. Cockscomb is rather low maintenance and becomes drought and heat resistant once established.
These flowers are ideal for scenic gardens as they attract many beneficial wildlife such as butterflies, hummingbirds, and other songbirds. In USDA zones 9 to 12, cockscombs propagate by seed and grow to a height and width of 12 inches.
Columbine
The Columbine’s scientific name Aquilegia comes from the Latin “aquila,” which means “eagle.” This is in reference to the flowers’ appearance of an eagle’s talons. Columbines are very beautiful and showy plants with drooping bell-like flowers. They can come in a bright red with shades of soft yellow in the mix. Their tubular shape, combined with their spurs that secrete sweet nectar, make them especially attractive to long-tongued pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies.
Though they are short-lived flowers, columbines are known to rapidly self-propagate for years once established. They grow as an upright, bushy clump to a height of 18 to 38 inches, spreading to a width of 8 to 18 inches. These flowers perform well under the full sun or in partial shade. They enjoy rich soil with constant amounts of moisture; columbines do not take well to drought. In USDA zones 3 to 9, they are right at home in cottage or rain gardens.
Coneflower
The red coneflower, also called the Firebird, is a flower one can easily imagine flying through the air with its shuttlecock-shaped body. Its large, drooping petals are feathery in shape and come in fiery orange-red color. In contrast, its jutting center is made up of densely compacted stigmas that make the shape of a very prominent, dark red-colored corona.
Coneflowers are quite eye-catching. They are herbaceous perennials that vigorously bloom throughout the entirety of summer. They are the perfect flowers to showcase in wildflower gardens and make for terrific cut and dried flowers.
Coneflowers grow in clumps to be around 2 to 3 feet in height. They are easy to care for in well-drained soil that is either dry or retains medium amounts of moisture. Keep them under full sun or in partial shade. The soil should also be a bit infertile as overly fertile soil can cause the coneflowers to become somewhat leggy. Coneflowers have been cultivated to be quite hardy and can thrive in USDA zones 4-10.
Cosmos
Native to Mexico, the cosmos is also called the rubenza in reference to its small, ruby-red flowers that are quite hardy– just like the gemstone! They bloom throughout the entirety of summertime and last for a long time throughout the fall. Cosmos have a fresh, sunny look and would make for a great display either in containers, flower beds, or as borders to a cottage or summer garden.
Cosmos is very charming to both humans and pollinators alike. It’s worth noting that while they are generally resistant to pests, you should still watch out for slugs and aphids. Cosmos perform best under the full sun in soil that is kept well-drained with average amounts of moisture.
Cutting away dead blossoms will encourage this plant to keep blooming and last longer. In USDA zones 2 to 11, cosmos can self-propagate by self-seeding and are known to grow to be about 20 inches in height and 30 inches in width.
Dahlia
Dahlias are gorgeous flowers that bloom in a myriad of colors, including shades of red. They have many layers of luxurious petals and will be great in virtually any garden you plant them in. They are great as late-season bloomers and will give you lots of color and interest from midsummer up until the first frost of the year. Dahlias are a favorite in flower arrangements and will make fantastic cut flowers, perfect for brightening up the home in the colder months of the year.
You’ll be glad to know that dahlias are easy to grow and are a good choice for even novice gardeners. One would think otherwise given that the blooms are so rewarding! Give your dahlias full sun; at least 6 to 8 hours will be good for this plant, as this produces the most flowers at the best quality.
Dahlias also love rich, loamy soil that has good drainage. Give them compost and fertilizer to really amp up the blooms. Water your dahlias once or twice every week once they are well-established. Dahlias can grow anywhere from 1 to 6 feet tall. They need protection in USDA zone 7 but will grow nicely from zones 8 through 10.
Daylily
Daylilies are absolutely stunning plants that grow as perennials without much effort at all. Their vibrant colors add lots of visual interest to any garden and come in a variety of hues, including red. They are great for novice gardeners as they require very little care. They bloom from 24 to 36 hours per flower but will self-seed and give you lots of dramatic blossoms to enjoy. Daylilies bloom from spring to late summer.
Give your daylilies lots of sunlight. They thrive in the full sun and need at least 6 to 8 hours of it daily to really grow their best. If you live somewhere that is very hot, give them partial shade to protect them from burning.
As for soil, you’ll be glad to know that the daylily is very adaptable to many different kinds of soil. However, it is still worth noting that their favorite is rich, fertile, loamy soil that is slightly acidic. Water them regularly while they are growing; once established, water them only when the heat has sufficiently dried out the soil. Daylilies thrive best in USDA zones 3 through 10.
Dianthus
Dianthus is a sweet, charming flower that will look great in less formal beds. They come in an array of colors, including red; try planting different colors of dianthus for a real show-stopper! Dianthus is easy to grow and can thrive in many different conditions that would otherwise be inhospitable. They are a great flower for beginner gardeners as well as more seasoned gardeners who enjoy their delicate blooms. They grow anywhere from 6 to 36 inches tall and spread around 6 to 24 inches wide.
Dianthus loves the sun; give them a place in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of full sun every day. This will ensure the best vibrancy and greater amounts of flowers. Be sure that the soil you give your dianthus plants is well-drained; this prevents rot and other problems. They prefer soil that has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Water your dianthus weekly; they don’t need much in the way of fertilizer. Dianthus grows well in USDA zones 3 through 9.
Freesia
Freesias are a favorite wedding flower, beloved for their sweet scent and delicate colors. But did you know that these flowers also come in stunning shades of red? Some people even think that red freesias have the strongest fragrance, so they’re sure to bring delight and an extra sensory touch to your garden. You may have to stake freesias to prevent them from falling over. They only grow 1 to 2 feet tall, but the extra support may be necessary.
Give your freesias a good amount of sunlight, as they love being in full sun. However, it’s okay to plant them somewhere that gets some shade in the mornings, too. Ensure that the soil you choose for your freesias has good drainage. Composting the soil will give your freesias lots of nutrients to grow to their best potential.
While growing, give your freesias enough water to keep their soil moist, but do not overwater! Once well-established, they will only need watering around once a week. Freesias are happiest when grown in USDA zones 9 through 10.
Gaillardia Also known as the blanket flower, gaillardias are short-lived perennials that are bright, cheerful, and easy-to-grow – great for gardeners of any level. They grow fairly quickly and will produce flowers in their first year. These flowers are a delight, producing a gradient of colors that often includes red. They grow 12 to 18 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches across.
Gaillardias bloom best when given full sun. Partial shade in hotter climates is fine too, but they will really flower most proficiently when given ample time to soak up sunlight. You won’t really need special soil for gaillardias, as long as the kind you choose isn’t rich in clay, as this can damage or kill the plant. The only other thing to keep in mind when choosing soil for your gaillardias is to keep it well-draining to prevent rot. When well-established, these flowers can be very resistant to drought. Gaillardias grow best in USDA zones 3 through 10.
Geranium
Geraniums are a great plant to have in your garden, particularly because they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. You will find red among the geraniums quite often, and this often makes for a captivating display, despite them growing fairly low to the ground. They are great for filling up bare spots of your garden that need the extra color; they’re also good for ground cover. There’s a geranium to suit every need your garden may have, so do your research and pick one that’s best for you!
Most geraniums will be happy to grow in the full sun, or even partial shade. Expect more prolific blooms the more sunlight hours your geraniums get. When given plenty of sun, though, be sure to supplement them with more water to prevent damage to the plant.
Geraniums also aren’t especially picky about the soil they’re planted in. Give them a neutral to alkaline soil pH, and ensure that it is well-drained, and they should be set! Otherwise, water them only when the soil gets very dry. Geraniums grow best in USDA zones 3 through 9, depending on the variety you choose.