Red flowering perennials

True red is one of the more difficult colors to achieve in the perennial garden. Many plants marketed as "red" are in fact orange-red, magenta-red, or scarlet. This guide covers the range from near-true red through orange-red and scarlet, noting where important distinctions.

True red is one of the more difficult colors to achieve in the perennial garden. Many plants marketed as "red" are in fact orange-red, magenta-red, or scarlet. This guide covers the range from near-true red through orange-red and scarlet, noting where important distinctions exist.

Red flowers are particularly valuable for hummingbirds, which are attracted to red and orange-red tubular flowers. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, trumpet vine, cardinal flower, and salvia are among the most consistently used hummingbird flowers in eastern US gardens.

Spring-blooming red perennials

Peony 'Karl Rosenfield' (Paeonia lactiflora 'Karl Rosenfield')

Per Penn State Extension, 'Karl Rosenfield' is the standard red herbaceous peony, producing large double flowers in deep magenta-crimson in May–June. It holds its color better in full sun than many red peonies, which tend to fade to salmon.

• Zones: 3–8
• Height: 34 inches
• Bloom: May–June
• Color: Deep magenta-crimson; one of the better reds in peonies

Red tulips (Tulipa spp.)

Spring-blooming bulbs with red flowers include 'Red Emperor' (very early; large flowers), 'Apeldoorn' (Darwin hybrid; durable), and 'Burgundy' (late; deep red). Not perennial in the strict sense, but many Darwin hybrid tulips reliably return for 3–5 years in well-drained soil. Per Missouri Botanical Garden.