8 red-flowered perennials to ignite your garden

Paeonia officinalis 'Rubra Plena'

The Peony ‘Rubra Plena’ is one of the reddest and oldest peonies, a beautiful herbaceous perennial for a magnificent explosion of sumptuous flowers in spring. From April, the large buds reveal a very dark red, and the double flower then blooms, sometimes until June, into large pom-poms of bright red that gradually lighten to a fuchsia pink by the end of flowering. The flowers measure no less than 15 cm in diameter. The rich green foliage surrounds the clump, which grows up to 70 cm in height with a wider spread, remaining ornamental even after flowering. The peony ‘Rubra Plena’ requires good sunlight or a slightly shaded spot to bloom well. Plant it in rich, well-drained soil throughout the country as it is hardy.

Peony ‘Rubra Plena’ (© Stefan Bamira)

Primula japonica 'Miller's Crimson'

Japanese primroses are charming deciduous perennials, slightly less common than traditional garden primroses, bringing their fresh tones in spring.

Some display a deep crimson flowering like Primula japonica ‘Miller’s Crimson’: it belongs to the so-called candelabra primroses, which bloom in tiers of flowers on a tall stem reaching up to 90 cm high. It is perfect for adding a vibrant colour and its lightness to beds in damp soil, near a water feature or pond, as it absolutely requires a nutrient-rich and moist soil during its growth period. Its flowering extends from May to July. Ideally, you should plant it in partial shade, in acidic or neutral soil, possibly in a pot where it performs well.

Primula japonica ‘Miller’s Crimson’ (© Leonora Enking)

Russelia equisetiformis

Often referred to as “blood drop” or coral plant, the Russelia equisetiformis is a beautiful trailing perennial with warm, rich hues, perfect for gardens in the south of France. This plant, native to Central America, is often found in Spain or around the Mediterranean.

Its habit is very trailing, well-ramified, and spreading up to 1 m, forming a generous cascade. It is generally planted atop a low wall, on a slope, or in a large tall pot to appreciate its stunning trailing habit. The flowers are small but charmingly tubular, arranged in clusters, and of a very bright scarlet colour, covering the foliage for long months between April and October, sometimes into November. The leaves are very fine, reduced to simple scales at the top. Undeniably exotic, the Russelia equisetiformis thrives in seaside gardens, as it tolerates salt spray well, and in regions where frosts are almost absent since it is only hardy down to -4 °C. A drought-tolerant plant that requires warmth and sunlight, it has a bright future with climate change!

The Zauschneria californica, or California Fuchsia, resembles it somewhat with its tubular flowers of orange-red colour; it is a non-trailing, more bushy version, but above all, it is more hardy.

Russelia equisetiformis or coral plant

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Blackfield’

Here is a beautiful perennial, increasingly seen in gardens, as it combines many qualities: the Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Blackfield’. This tall perennial, reaching 80 to 90 cm in height, captivates with its very bright red flowers, leaning towards burgundy. They appear shortly after the foliage, around July, and last until October. In addition to this long, vibrant flowering, Persicaria ‘Blackfield’ is valued for its hardiness, growth rate, and vigour. Hardy down to -30°C, it truly fits in anywhere. It spreads into a superb lush clump up to 60 cm wide and returns each year more beautiful and enchanting in natural or contemporary borders… Furthermore, it tolerates full sun or partial shade, as long as the soil remains cool and rich, ideally clayey.

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Blackfield ‘ (© Virginie Douce)

Kniphofia 'Red Rocket'

This Kniphofia is full of character! The Kniphofia ‘Red Rocket’ fully embraces its nickname of Satan’s poker with this striking red flower spike ready to ignite the garden. A plant with a fiery temperament, perfect companion for exotic gardens or pots, ‘Red Rocket’ gradually displays its dense spikes from the bottom to the top, starting in June or July, over approximately three weeks. It is a dwarf variety, as it grows to about 50 cm tall, much smaller than most Tritomas, but this intense colour ensures a stunning visual impact! Hardy despite appearances, it should be planted in well-drained soil, always in full sun.

Kniphofia ‘Red Rocket’

Lobelia fulgens ‘Queen Victoria’

Perennial Lobelias are sometimes overlooked in summer flowerings, with blue annual varieties being more frequently offered in garden centres for pot displays.

The Lobelia fulgens ‘Queen Victoria’ is one of its stunning representatives, combining the fiery beauty of its red flowers with incredible purple foliage. Floriferous, it captures all attention from August to October, with its tall spikes rising on sturdy stems, a blazing scarlet red, the flower spikes measuring up to 45 cm in length. As with Persicaria, it is the large leaves that develop first, showcasing a sublime purple hue. They accompany the red flowering with warm tones for a very exotic appearance, the plant forming an opulent clump 80 cm high and 40 cm wide. ‘Queen Victoria’ brings an unmatched splash of colour to the garden from late summer until the frosts, thriving in moist soil, even as a waterside plant. A position in partial shade or full sun will be beneficial.

Lobelia fulgens ‘Queen Victoria’

Tricyrtis hirta 'Raspberry Mouse'

There are very few red perennials that thrive in shaded areas. A small exception is the toad lily or Tricyrtis hirta ‘Raspberry Mousse’, a beautiful Japanese perennial resembling an orchid. Its flowers are a burgundy red punctate with white, small in size, about 4 cm in diameter, and have a charming star shape. Particularly elegant, the flowering occurs in late summer, from August to early October, providing a lovely way to add colour to the garden when it starts to lack vibrant hues. The plant reaches between 60 and 80 cm in height when happy, in cool soil. The foliage then disappears only to reappear in late spring. A low-maintenance, hardy perennial, this orchid lily looks wonderful planted en masse in a shaded rockery, in a Japanese-style border, or alongside beautiful shade foliage. Wait a few years for it to form a lovely clump!

Tricyrtis hirta ‘Raspberry Mousse’ © Henryr10

Pineapple Sage

The Salvia microphylla, sometimes referred to as Salvia grahamii and Salvia ‘Hot Lips’, are two beautiful red and bicoloured sages that are quite classic in our gardens, blooming throughout the summer. The Pineapple Sage or Salvia elegans is another stunning, exuberant sage, ready to brighten up your garden at a time of year when it may need it the most.

This red sage indeed blooms out of sync with its counterparts, from September until the end of October, and even November if the autumn is mild and in a temperate region. It often reblooms in spring during mild winters. It is a slightly woody herbaceous perennial of a shrubby type, as it forms a lovely bush at least 1 m high and equally wide. The flowering, which is melliferous, is a vibrant red, formed in terminal spikes of tubular flowers, quite prominent due to their beautiful length (about 30 cm of flowers). The leaves are aromatic, releasing a pineapple scent when crushed. Its low hardiness (-6 °C) is compensated by rapid growth. The Salvia elegans requires sunlight, but you can also place it in light partial shade and in sufficiently drained soil, ideally sandy.

Salvia elegans or Pineapple Sage