Set your summer garden ablaze with the intense look of fiery red perennials that truly stun. Nothing commands attention like a deep red wave of scarlet and vermilion hues bursting into full bloom. Create an enchanting garden view with 15 of the most exquisite red perennials that bloom all summer long.
Listed here are favorite featured products that we hope will inspire your look. If you decide to make a purchase through any links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
1: Tall Red Garden Phlox (Paniculata)
First on our list of red perennials that bloom all summer is a variety of tall garden phlox flowers. It’s a well-performing and popular perennial in many summer gardens. The upright clumps of flowers can reach heights of up to three feet tall! Their light fragrance and attractive color brings in the likes of hummingbirds and butterflies to liven up the garden scene. Plant tall varieties of phlox as a tall border or along fence lines. Dot with low-lying plants in front to accentuate their height.
Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Light: Part Sun
Water: 2x weekly
Height: 2-3 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Summer
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: No
Deer Resistant: Yes
2. Red Bee Balm (Monarda)
Adorned with fine-tipped petals that stretch up and outward, the spiky-haired red perennial bee balm flower is all rock-n-roll. Â The bold red color of this popular aromatic herb flower is a hummingbird favorite and irresistible to bees due to its vibrant scarlet red blooms.
Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Light: Part Sun to Part Shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 15-30 in. tall
Bloom Time: Midsummer – Fall
Planting Time: Spring or Fall
Drought Tolerant: No
Deer Resistant: Yes
3. Red Cardinal Flowers (Lobelia)
Cardinal flowers put on a stunning show with vertical stalks that produce bright red flowers. Their tall clump-forming growth habit makes them perfect for accentuating gardens at far back corners. Plant shorter blooms in complementary colors off to the sides providing ideal space in between. The red cardinal flowers will command attention with their long slender stalks dotted with red perennial flowers.
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: Full Sun to Part Sun
Water: 2x weekly
Height: 3-4 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Late Summer
Planting Time: Spring or Fall
Drought Tolerant: No
Deer Resistant: Yes
4. Red Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)
Clumps of small velvety flowers dotted with yellow centers grow on stems in clusters. These red flowering perennials make a great drought-resistant addition to any summer garden (especially over the hotter days of the season). Requiring only light waterings once a week, this makes red yarrow a lovely and colorful low-maintenance plant to add to your collection of favorite red flowers for the garden this summer. Plant directly into the soil or drop in pots that receive plenty of sun in the patio or deck.
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: Full Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 20-30 in. tall
Bloom Time: Summer
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Yes
5. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
Red Hot Poker is a stunning show-stopper addition to any summer perennial garden due to its fiery flower blooms. Bold red flower spikes fade into orange and yellow as the colors melt into one another like a blazing sun slowly setting. The flowering tall stalks are made up of closely placed downward growing tubular flowers. Native to Africa, this striking hardy perennial flower boasts a lengthy bloom time from spring to fall. This tall flowering perennial will also add a simple touch of the tropics to any full sun garden.
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Light: Full Sun to Part Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 3-4 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Spring to Fall
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Yes
6. Red Roses (Rosaceae)
We must still reserve a place for the beloved rose among all these different red varieties of beautiful blooming garden perennials. Classic red roses are a timeless choice for any gardener that favors an everblooming flower. The deep bold color of velvety red roses needs no introduction, but they do need proper care and pampering to keep them going… Planting in spots with adequate exposure to full sun, pruning, deadheading, and proper watering will all ensure that that you get the most out of these classic perennial plants.
Hardiness Zones: 5-8
Light: Full Sun
Water: 2x weekly
Height: Up to 5 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: No
7. Red Coral Bells (Heuchera)
This clumpy and compact red coral bells plant is a mounded perennial. It has wide leaves with scalloped edges that offer beautiful hints of red foliage anywhere it is planted. Use as low-maintenance border plants along walkways or driveways. Their short ruffly leaves will eventually produce long slim stalks dotted with pinkish-red flowers that add further interest to the garden all summer. This easy-care flowering plant requires little upkeep except watering. Red Coral bells are low-care yet tough plants perfect for those needing to fill part shade or dappled shade gardens with flowering plants. It’s also perfect for filling stubborn spots like shady north-facing walls. Drop into pots and pair with small variety Hostas to create shade-loving containers that can decorate low-light areas.
Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Light: Full Sun to Shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 6 to 20 in. tall
Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
Planting Time: Early Spring or Fall
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: No
​
8. Red Azalea Flowering Shrub
A generous and plentiful display of rich red flowers will speckle a shrub laced with green foliage that pokes out in between. Plant your red Azalea shrub in an area with ample space as it will grow into a dazzling and hardy flowering shrub that puts out showy blooms between March and May. This show-stopping flowering shrub needs ample watering and moist soil at the start but will easily withstand drought once established.
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Light: Full Sun to Part Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 3 to 20 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Early Summer to Fall
Planting Time: Spring or Fall
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: No
9. Red Clematis Flowering Vine
A blanket of majestic red Clematis vining flowers will dress any garden to impress. Choose a suitable space at the bottom of a wire fence or trellis for this vining plant to happily climb and distribute in growth. Once established, the leafy green vines will burst with dramatic red blooms in bright colors that add depth, character, and drama to any vertical space.
Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Light: Full Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 4 to 6 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Early Summer to Fall
Planting Time: Spring or Fall
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: No
​
10. Red Dianthus
A popular choice to add an instant pop of bold color to any summer garden, the red Dianthus flower (sometimes named as ‘Sweet William’ )grows in clusters and puts on a stunning bloom show between late spring and fall. Â This makes it a reliable choice for gardeners that crave color from long-blooming perennials. Â Long slender stems with skinny spear-shaped leaves produce a beautiful gray-ish green foliage that draws the eye in as you enjoy the colorful flowers. Â Dot borders or small pathways with colorful dianthus plants and remember to deadhead throughout the season to encourage new formation of fresh blooms for a longer show. Â Add them to your flower bed or drop in pots for a touch of bold color in sunny spots throughout the patio or front porch.
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Light: Full Sun to Part Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 10 to 12 in. tall
Bloom Time: Early Summer to Fall
Planting Time: Spring or Fall
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Yes
11. Red Hibiscus (Moscheutos)
While this stunning red flower is native to Asia, the look of a red hibiscus will certainly transport you to an island oasis the likes of Hawaii! High on the list of gorgeous perennial shrubs, this beautiful tropical looking plant is show stopping and fast growing. It’s a shrub that adds tall, bold, colorful drama with red flowers that fan out and around. The striking showy flowers bloom all summer long and come in a variety of scarlet and vermillion shades from deep ruby wine and burgundy to pinkish and coral reds. Don’t forget to water generously when starting up. Hibiscus shrubs will become drought tolerant over time once established.
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 4 to 10 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Midsummer to Early Fall
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: No
12. Red Sedum Flowers (Stonecrop)
Fuss-free red sedum is a stonecrop perennial plant that is very low-maintenance and easy to grow. Thick silver-green succulent-like leaves from the springtime will transform into a stunning display of starry ruby red flowers later in the season. Plant as a ground cover or place in between rock gardens.
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: Full Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 6 to 8 in. tall
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Yes
13. Red Garden Chrysanthemums (Morifolium)
Chrysanthemums aren’t just for decorating your outdoor containers in the fall! Plant hardy red mums in the garden for a beautiful display of fall color. This is a must-have for gardeners that want to extend their bloom show into the autumn season. Easy to care fore, garden Chrysanthemums are ready to put on a beautiful red bloom show that you enjoy through the crisp cool days of fall. In addition to their stunning and generous bloom quality, they naturally repel pests creating a healthier environment for other plants in the garden to thrive. Grow bold garnet red Chrysanthemums by planting directly into the soil or grow in containers. Pair with gourds and pumpkins in the fall to create a beautiful autumn garden display.
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Light: Full Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 1 to 3 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Late Summer to Late Fall
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: No
14. Red Astilbe (Goatsbeard/Spirea)
Soft-looking fluffy red flower plumes stand out like budded feathers attached to thin stems that emerge high above their leafy foliage. Â Plant stunning red astilbe flower spikes in sets along a brick wall or alongside a garage wall to create a show-stopping border that can boast its long fluffy blooms up against a plain background. Â Will perform well in areas of dappled shade and the blooms make a dramatic addition to any variety of flower bouquets as a cut flower, fresh or dried.
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Light: Part Sun to Shade
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 1 to 3 ft. tall
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Late Summer
Planting Time: Spring
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Yes
15. Red Asiatic Lily
Last on our list of red perennials that bloom all summer are beautiful red Asiatic Lilies. They provide vibrant color for those of you wanting to create a bold red focal point in the flower garden. While lilies come in different varieties as well as a variety of colors, the beautiful scarlet blooms of the red lily are particularly exquisite when placed in flower beds with complementary colors like orange, coral, peach, pink, and even yellow flowers. Enjoy in containers or use as fresh cut flowers in summer bouquets.
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Light: Full Sun
Water: 1x weekly
Height: 30 to 36 in. tall
Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
Planting Time: Spring or Fall
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Yes
I hope this quick list of red perennials that bloom all summer helps you to liven up your garden this season with layers of vibrant florals that truly stun! Don’t forget your patio pots either, try any one of these 25 unique container gardening ideas to get you started. Get inspired to grace tall spaces, too, with easy rooftop gardening ideas and small patio decor ideas.
