Red, the color of spilled wine; red, the color of the sun at sundown. There is hardly a color that has spawned more literary allusion and metaphor throughout the centuries. 

Indeed, the poetically named “War of the Roses,” was the result of Shakespeare’s play Henry VI: Part 1, where the red and white roses, the emblems of the two warring houses, served as an allegory for the all-consuming spiral of family feuds and vicious power struggles. 

Red, in all its various permutations, has always exhilarated and stunned in the world of plants, and will continue to do so. When it comes to the color red, there is a surprising versatility accorded to these blooms – here’s a few dazzling flowers that have been reimagined in all their crimson glory.   

Red Roses 

If there’s one flower emblematic of the English cottage garden aesthetic, then it’s old garden roses. David Austin, who crossbred many old garden roses with modern roses to achieve a hybrid vigor, was able to preserve many of their favorable traits. David Austin roses, known for their florid rosettes, carry with them the distinctive, heady scent of myrrh – found exclusively in old English roses. Display roses on arched trellises to show off their spectacular growths. 

Zones: 5 – 8 

Callistemon 

Originally from the arid regions of Australia, callistemon, also known as bottlebrush, is readily adaptable to hot, dry areas of the US. A whimsical plant with festive plumes of personality, callistemon can be trained to reach impressive heights of 20 feet tall. It’s generally pest-free, though it can occasionally attract aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects.

Zones: 8 – 10, virtually pest free  

Red Dahlia 

If you’re looking to create an Alice-in-Wonderland-like world of blooms, then count dahlias in. Available in a multitude of forms, from spherical to daisy-like, dahlias are vivacious blooms that stand out among the staid Black-Eyed Susans and ironweeds. The red variety is especially fetching and can be used to signify vitality and resilience. 

Zones: 3 – 11, perennial in zones 8 – 10; can grow in partial shade 

Ever After™ Ruby Azalea

This variety of azalea promises ruby red blossoms that will transform your garden into an idyllic fairytale setting. Its compact growth makes it ideal for patios, where it will brighten up outdoor dining spaces, and its burgundy foliage ensures seasonal interest even when the branches are stripped bare of flowers. Grow in a decorative planter to best display its dense blooms of color. 

Zones: 6 – 9, cold hardy; reblooming dwarf semi-evergreen shrub 

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)

Named for the red robes worn by cardinals in the Roman catholic church, the cardinal flower is a thrillingly red flower that boosts a wiry vigor. It grows best in moist soil with moderate shade, becoming more luscious when weaned off soils rich in organic matter. A hummingbird magnet, they were once described as being able to “pull hummingbirds from the sky.” 

Zones: 3 – 9 

Scarlet Colorama™ Crapemyrtle

Lauded as the ‘Queen of the South,’ crape myrtles have ignited the Southern imagination with their lush foliage and delicate, paper-thin petals. This exquisite variety commands an attractive presence in the front yard as a single specimen planting. Despite their delicate appearance, crape myrtles are survivalists, laughing in the face of drought. 

Zones: 6 – 10; some are only root hardy in zone 6 

Yuletide Camellia

The Yuletide Camellia is a high-impact flower famed for its red, glossy blossoms, contrasting vividly with its yellow stamens. Another southern plant, camellias possess the beauty of roses, but with none of the fuss. Its upright form makes it suitable for borders, hedges, and espalier – when trained to climb against a white wall, it provides striking contrast. 

Zones: 7 – 10 

Red Double Begonias 

Begonias have always been a garden classic. This improved cultivar, bearing large blooms, unfolds with both elegance and boldness. Pair with orange and yellow hues for a sunset-inspired theme. In zones 3 – 8a, bulbs will need to be lifted or stored indoors in a rolling planter. 

Zones: annuals in 3 – 7, hardy in zones 8 – 10 

Red Alert Calla Lily 

With its vivid, tubular petals, the Red Alert calla lily seems to trumpet its presence loud and clear. The foliage is speckled with white, presenting a unique contrast. Pave a border with a swath of these lilies for sidewalk appeal; they will also do well in raised beds or even along the water’s edge. It prefers to be grown in full sun, but will need to be sheltered against scorching temperatures. 

Zones: annuals in 3 – 7, hardy in zones 8 – 10

Frill Ride™ Hydrangea

This reblooming hydrangea is unique among hydrangeas both for its spectacular, magenta frills and compact size. Springing to life in container gardeners, its bold, mop-head blossoms subvert the expectations of conventional hydrangeas. Its suckering habit and cane-like growth mimics these of berries, lending to its unusual nature. 

Zones: 5 – 9; can wilt easily, so water well 

SUMMERIFIC® 'Holy Grail' Hibiscus (Rose Mallow) 

There’s a reason why this cultivar of rose mallow is considered the ‘holy grail’ – these florid blooms carry with them the veneer of divinity. Each shrub boasts shapely flowers floating above a mound of oval, near-black leaves. Blooming from midsummer to fall, these massive florals can be integrated into a tropical themed garden for an exuberance of color or planted alone. 

Zones: 4 – 9 

DOUBLE TAKE® Scarlet Chaenomeles (Quince)

Come mid-spring, and you’ll see branches of Double Take® Scarlet festooned with scarlet flowers. Not many flowers are both beautiful and low-maintenance. However, this flower is aptly named – it’s thornless, deer-resistant, and will surely stop you in your tracks on the garden path. 

Zones: 5 – 9