Red flowers: the most beautiful plants for your garden

Roses (Rosa)

The queen of flowers is a must for any garden! Red roses are a symbol of love and passion. There are countless varieties, from bed roses to shrub roses to climbing roses. You can also create beautiful flower beds with roses.

Nice to know: Even the ancient Romans used rose petals to make perfume.

• Position: Sunny
• Soil: Rich, well-drained soil
• Flowering period: June to October
• Colour: red, pink, white, yellow etc.

Azaleas (Rhododendron simsii & Rhododendron japonicum)

Azaleas are spectacular spring flowering plants with bright red flowers. There are both deciduous and evergreen varieties. The term ‘indoor azalea’ is mainly used to refer to varieties of the Indian azalea. The Rhododendron simsii hybrids are called indoor azaleas and are not hardy. They need to be brought indoors in autumn. In Japan, azaleas represent femininity and grace.

• Position: Part shade to shade
• Soil: Acidic, rich in humus
• Flowering period: April to June
• Colour: Red, pink, white, orange

Rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.)

Rhododendrons have large, bright flower spikes and evergreen leaves. Like azaleas, rhododendrons are somewhat demanding and need acidic soil.

Nice to know:  Some rhododendrons are poisonous and were used in the past to ward off pests.

• Position: Partial shade
• Soil: Acidic, rich in humus
• Flowering time: May to June
• Colour: red, pink, purple, white

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis & Hibiscus syriacus)

If you want a touch of the tropics in your garden, hibiscus is perfect. It can be grown as a shrub or perennial and has large, funnel-shaped flowers.

Nice to know: Hibiscus is the national flower of Hawaii.

• Position: Sunny
• Soil: Well-drained, rich in humus
• Flowering period: July to September
• Colours: Red, pink, white, yellow, blue

Peonies (Paeonia)

Peonies are long-flowering, magnificent perennials with opulent flowers. They prefer to grow undisturbed in one place and become more beautiful with each passing year.

Nice to know: Peonies are long-lived perennials and can live for over 50 years!

• Position: Sunny to part shade
• Soil: Deep, humic
• Flowering time: May to June
• Colour: Red, pink, white

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)

Carnations delight with their delicate, fragrant flowers and are often used as cut flowers. Most are perennials, but there are also annual and biennial varieties. They look good not only in the border but also in window boxes or planters. They are undemanding and do well with little water.

Nice to know: In ancient times carnations were a symbol of worship to the gods.

• Position: sunny
• Soil: well-drained, poor in nutrients
• Flowering time: May to September
• Colour: red, pink, white, yellow

Dahlias (Dahlia)

Dahlias flower throughout the summer and come in a huge variety of colours and shapes. Dahlias are not winter hardy. The tubers must be dug up in autumn and stored in a cool, dry, frost-free place for the winter.

Nice to know: Dahlias are edible perennials. Both the tubers and the flowers are edible.

• Position: Sunny
• Soil: Loose, nutritious
• Flowering time: July to October
• Flower colours: Red, pink, yellow, white, purple

Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

The Oriental poppy has huge, bright red flowers. You can sow poppies yourself. There are annual, biennial and perennial varieties. All have a white milky sap that is poisonous.

Nice to know: The fruits of the poppy are seed capsules that spread their seeds like a salt shaker.

• Position: sunny
• Soil: Moderately dry, well-drained, nutritious.
• Flowering time: May to July
• Colour: red, orange, pink, white

Geranium (Pelargonium)

A classic for the balcony and the border – Geraniums flower continuously well into the autumn. The disadvantage of these popular balcony plants is that they do not provide food for bees.

Nice to know:  Geraniums are used as a natural mosquito repellent.

• Position: Sunny
• Soil: Loose, nutritious
• Flowering time: May to October
• Colour: red, pink, white, purple

Begonias (Begonia)

Begonias thrive in partial shade bring colour to dark corners. Begonias are not hardy. If you want to overwinter them, do as with dahlias and dig out the bulbs in the autumn.

Nice to know: Begonias have edible flowers.

• Position: Part shade to shade
• Soil: Loose, humic
• Flowering period: May to October
• Colour: red, pink, white, yellow

Silver Burst, Celosia (Celosia argentea)

Celosia is a real eye-catcher with its flaming panicles of flowers. The plant grows without branches and can reach a height of 80 centimetres. Celosia is not hardy and is therefore grown as an annual in the garden. As a houseplant it can live for several years.

Nice to know:  Celosia is edible: the leaves, young stems and flowers can be used to make vegetables. The seeds are also edible.

• Position: sunny, warm, sheltered from the wind
• Soil: loose, nutritious
• Flowering period: June to September
• Colour: red, orange, yellow, pink, fiery red

Combine red flowers

Red flowers are particularly intense and can be combined to create either harmony or contrast. We have put together some ideas for you.

Harmonious combinations with red flowers

Red flowers work well with the following colours to create a harmonious overall look.

• Orange & Yellow – warm colours such as Rudbeckia or Hemerocallis enhance the bright effect.
• Dark Red & Bordeaux – Dark-leaved plants such as purple bells (Heuchera) or black and red dahlias add depth to the border.
• Pink Shades – Delicate transitions with peonies or lupins create a soft colour gradient.

Contrasting combinations

Contrasting colour combinations make the bed more dynamic

• White – White flowers such as oxeye daisies or gypsophila enhance the red.
• Blue & Purple – Lavender, larkspur or sage provide a cool counterpoint to the warm red.
• Green & White – White flowers such as oxeye daisies or gypsophila enhance the red.
• Blue & Purple – Lavender, larkspur or sage provide a cool counterpoint to the warm red.
• Green & Silver – Ornamental grasses or silver-leaved plants such as woolly jade (Stachys) or lavender soothe the eye.