From ruby to strawberry, from port to merlot, from blood to fire, from scarlet to vermillion, red is the color of passion, danger, and beauty. What better color could you choose for an exciting garden than red?
A garden filled with vibrant red flowers can make a dramatic statement. While annuals like zinnias and marigolds provide a quick burst of red color for one season, perennials will come back year after year, saving you time and money on replanting. Some of the most stunning red perennials can grow quite tall, providing height and visual interest to your landscape.
In this article we’ll explore some of the best tall perennial plants with red flowers to consider for your garden. Whether you’re looking to create a privacy screen hide an eyesore, or just make a bold statement, these towering beauties are sure to transform your outdoor space.
Why Grow Tall Red Perennials
There are several benefits to incorporating tall red perennials into your garden design
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Provide height and structure Tall plants act as natural screens to block views or create “outdoor rooms” They provide vertical interest and balance to shorter plants in front
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Long bloom time: Many red perennials bloom for weeks or months, providing long-lasting color.
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Low maintenance: Once established, many vigorous perennials need little care.
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Attract pollinators: The bright blooms attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
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Offer winter interest: Red or burgundy leaves and seed heads provide color and texture during colder months.
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Give cut flowers: Tall blooms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
14 Stunning Tall Red Perennial Flowers
Here are some of the best tall perennials that produce fiery red blooms to light up your garden:
1. Bee Balm
Bee balm (Monarda didyma) sends up dense clusters of tubular red flowers on stems up to 4 feet tall. Blooms appear in mid to late summer and attract pollinators. Grow bee balm in full sun to part shade. It prefers moist soil and has excellent mildew resistance. Zones 4-9.
2. Torch Lily
Torch lily (Kniphofia) is prized for its unique, spiky red-orange blooms on tall, poker-straight stems. Blooms appear in summer and rebloom into fall. Prefers full sun. Grows 3-5 feet tall. Zones 5-10.
3. Joe Pye Weed
Joe pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum) produces sweetly scented, fluffy red-pink blooms excellent for cutting. Grows in sun or part shade and moist soil. Attracts butterflies! Grows 4-7 feet tall. Zones 4-9.
4. Cardinal Flower
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) bears intense spikes of scarlet blooms from mid to late summer. Does best in part shade with consistently moist soil. Provides food for hummingbirds. Grows 2-4 feet tall. Zones 2-9.
5. Garden Phlox
Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a traditional cottage garden favorite. Dense panicles of fragrant flowers bloom in summer. Good cut flowers. Grows 2-4 feet tall. Full sun and well-drained soil. Zones 4-8.
6. Red Hot Poker
Red hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria) is named for its brightly colored, poker-shaped blooms. Prefers full sun. Blooms midsummer to early fall with excellent rebloom. Grows 3-5 feet tall. Zones 5-9.
7. Fireweed
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) grows wild across North America. Known for rows of fuchsia-pink blooms on tall racemes. Attracts bees, butterflies. Quickly colonizes disturbed sites. Grows 3-6 feet tall. Sun. Zones 3-6.
8. Hardy Hibiscus
Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) has huge, exotic looking 8-10 inch blooms in summer. Does best in full sun with consistent moisture. Provides late season color. Grows 4-6 feet tall. Zones 4-9.
9. Ligularia
Ligularia (Ligularia dentata) bold foliage and daisy-like orange-red blooms on spikes make a statement. Does well in part shade and moist soil. Pest and disease resistant. Grows 3-4 feet tall. Zones 4-8.
10. Ironweed
Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata) towers over the late summer garden with fuzzy reddish-purple blooms. Loved by butterflies and bees! Tolerates clay, moist soil. Self-seeds. Grows 4-6 feet tall. Zones 4-9.
11. Maltese Cross
Maltese cross (Lychnis chalcedonica) displays vibrant scarlet flowers arranged in whorls along tall stems. Blooms late spring to midsummer. Cut back after flowering. Prefers full sun. Grows 2-3 feet tall. Zones 3-9.
12. Torch Flower
Torch flower (Kniphofia uvaria) sends up brightly colored red-orange blooms on straight, sturdy 36-40 inch stems in mid-late summer. Excellent rebloomer into fall. Prefers full sun. Zones 5-9.
13. Red Switch Grass
Red switch grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’) has foliage that starts deep red and turns burgundy in fall. Airy red flower panicles sway in the breeze. Grows 4-5 feet tall. Prefers full sun. Zones 5-9.
14. Red Coneflower
Red coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), is prized for 3-4″ daisy-like flowers that bloom from early summer into fall. Petals surround an orange-brown central cone. Attracts butterflies and makes great cut flowers. Grows 3-4 feet tall. Prefers sun. Zones 3-8.
Caring for Tall Red Perennials
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Most prefer full sun exposure (at least 6 hours a day) and well-drained soil.
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Give them space! Tall plants need elbow room for their roots and foliage.
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Fertilize in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Prune back dead growth in late winter or early spring.
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Stake floppy plants like Joe Pye weed or hardy hibiscus if needed.
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Mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming on some plants.
Add Drama With Towering Red Blooms
Ready to give your garden a bold, beautiful makeover? Incorporate a few of these impressive tall perennials with fiery red blooms. They’ll bring vertical interest, seasonal excitement, and provide homes and food for pollinators. With very little maintenance required, these flowering giants will thrive for years in your landscape.
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From ruby to strawberry, from port to merlot, from blood to fire, from scarlet to vermillion, red is the color of passion, danger, and beauty. What better color could you choose for an exciting garden than red?
7 Stunning Red Perennial Flowers
FAQ
What plant is tall with red flowers?
KNIPHOFIA. Also called red-hot poker and torch lily because of its tall, vibrantly colored flowers, Kniphofia has blooms that change color as they mature, resulting in a unique bi-color effect.
What is the fastest growing tall perennial?
Yarrow. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), also called common yarrow, is a fast-growing perennial with tall stems, fern-like leaves, and small clusters of flowers. “This sun-loving perennial, available in a variety of colors, creates gorgeous texture in a garden,” says Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass.
What perennial flower blooms all summer long?
There are several perennials that bloom all summer, including penstemons, euphorbia, roses, hardy geraniums, and astrantia.
What is the longest flowering perennial plant?
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Great Garden Plants Bloghttps://blog.greatgardenplants.comTop 10 Long Blooming Perennials – Great Garden Plants Blog‘Moonbeam’ Tickseed. (Coreopsis verticillata) With blooms that form in early summer and last all the way until the end of fall, ‘Moonbeam’ is the definition of …
What are the tallest plants with red flowers?
One of the showiest tall plants with red flowers! Also called monarda, bee balm is a North American native loved by pollinators. The shaggy flowers come in reds like ‘Jacob Cline’ and ‘Raspberry Wine.’ Most varieties reach 4-5 feet tall. Tall garden salvias are warm-season bloomers that pollinators flock to.
What are the best perennial plants to grow?
Cranebill is another excellent perennial to grow. They bloom in different colors, but red is beautiful. Red cranesbill prefers full sun to partial shade. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil. 5. Salvia Salvia grows in just about every climate imaginable. They bloom in red, blue, pink, purple or white.
Are red lilies perennials?
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.
What is a red flowering plant?
This plant is characterized by its vibrant red blooms, but the flowers can also be hot pink, white, or purple, depending on the cultivar. When it comes to red flowering plants, perennials such as the bee balm are quite popular. Also known as wild bergamot, this plant comes in two types, standard and dwarf.
What is a tall perennial flower?
Whether you’re seeking vibrant hues or delicate pastels, there’s a tall perennial flower to suit every taste and style, ensuring your garden stands out as a true masterpiece of nature’s design. With some types growing up to six feet tall, delphiniums are among the tall perennial flowers.
Is red a perennial flower?
A perennial flower is preferable because it returns year after year, bigger and brighter than before. Birds, bees, and butterflies love the color of red, which means you can turn your yard into a bird-watching haven. In addition, the color red can bring a pop of color to a garden, instantly brightening your yard.