Plants with red flowers

Plus, hot borders wouldn't be complete without red blooms combined with spicy yellows and oranges.

Check out our handy Plant Finder to discover lots more red-flowered plants. The colour of red flowers is caused by the presence of certain biological pigments in the petals, such as carotenoids, anthocyanins and betalains.

Discover 10 of the best plants with red flowers, including perennials, shrubs and climbers, below.

Poppies

Poppies are one of the best known red flowers to grow. Annual poppies include (Papaver rhoeas, Papaver commutatum, Papaver somniferum, while the popular perennial poppy of choice is Papaver orientale. All enjoy a spot in full sun.

Red and black flowers of poppy 'Lady Bird'

Mask flower

When grown in the UK, mask flowers (alonsoa) are usually treated as annuals, though, as perennials, it's possible to overwinter them. Growing to around a metre tall, they're ideal for the middle of borders.

Dianthus

Dianthus, or pinks, are cottage garden favourites. Grow these short-lived perennials at the front of borders or in containers. If you dislike the more showy cultivars, try growing Dianthus cruentus – a gorgeous species with single, magenta flowers.

Dahlias

There are a huge variety of dahlias to grow, red cultivars included. For pollinators, choose single varieties like 'Bishop of Llandaff' or the bronze-leaved 'Tally Ho'. Here's our advice on how to lift dahlias for winter.

Deep-orange bloom of dahlia 'Alva's Doris'

Bergamot

Bergamot (monarda) is a tough, herbaceous perennial that grows best in moist soils. The foliage is aromatic and the shaggy blooms are loved by bees. For scarlet blooms, grow a cultivar like 'Cambridge Scarlet' or 'Squaw'.

Salvias

Salvias with red flowers to grow include 'Silas Dyson' and 'Royal Bumble'. They're best planted in a sheltered spot in full sun, in a moist, well-drained soil.

Intense-red, narrow flowers of salvia 'Honey Melon'

Crocosmias

Crocosmias are much-loved for their sprays of hotly coloured flowers. One of the best known red-flowered cultivars is 'Lucifer'. Others include 'Hellfire' and 'Harvest Sun'. Try combining with perennials like Verbena bonariensis and calamagrostis grasses.

Deep-orange flowers of crocosmia 'Lucifer'

Roses

There are lots of roses with red flowers you could grow. To cover garden boundaries and structures, try a climbing rose like 'Parkdirektor Riggers' (pictured). If you're after a deep red rose, 'Black Beauty' is one of the best.

Callistemons

Callistemons are unusual plants, also known as bottlebrush plants, owing to the striking red flowers. The foliage has a lovely, lemony scent. Grows to the size of a large shrub or small tree.

Spiky, red flowers of the bottlebrush plant

Peonies

Peonies are gorgeous and robust plants, with lots of red-flowered cultivars available to buy and grow. For year round structure, try a tree peony like 'Shin Jitsugetsu Nishiki', or for fragrance, take a look at 'Monsieur Martin Cahuzac', which has a rich, spicy scent.

Planting partners for red flowers

Liatris – striking perennial with bottlebrush, amethyst blooms. Great for bees
Echinacea – lots of cultivars to choose from. Pink and orange types combine especially well
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace' – red flowers stand out against the dark bronze foliage of this cultivar
Calamagrostis – these grasses are ideal for breaking up planting schemes and adding texture
Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum' – rich, plum-coloured blooms and popular with pollinators
Birches – these small trees are perfect for underplanting with red-flowered plants