Blooming Red Perennials: A Must-Have for Every Garden Enthusiast
Shade-Loving Red Perennials Brighten Up Your Garden
In the quest to create a vibrant and colourful garden, many gardeners focus on plants that thrive in full sun. However, for those with shady or partly shaded garden locations, there are several perennials that can add a splash of red to your outdoor space. Here are some red perennials that are well adapted to shady or partly shaded garden locations.
The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a standout choice, blooming tubular, lipstick-red blossoms from late summer into fall, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Another noteworthy option is the Red Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), which thrives in part shade to full shade with evenly moist soil and produces vibrant red flowers that attract hummingbirds.
Trillium species, commonly known as Wake robin, also offer red blooms in woodland shade, especially under deciduous trees with rich, humus soil. They bloom in spring and prefer zones 4 to 7.
Heuchera, or Coral Bells, are more often grown for their foliage, but some varieties have red-colored foliage and small flowers in early summer. They grow well in part shade to shade, preferring soil that is not too wet or dry.
Lychnis chalcedonica ('Maltese Cross') is an old-fashioned perennial with vivid red flowerheads that bloom all summer, tolerating full sun to part shade in zones 3 to 7. It's a good choice in light shade and can naturalize, so planting considerations apply.
Other shade-adapted plants with red highlights might include red-leaved forms of certain shade perennials, but the above are the best established red perennial options for shady gardens.
For those seeking red perennials that tolerate a wider range of conditions, there are several options. Coneflower, for instance, is tolerant of drought, heat, light shade, poor soil, and rocky conditions, thriving in full sun and moist to dry, well-drained soil.
Wild Columbine thrives in part shade and moist soil rich in organic matter, while Dahlias thrive in zones 7-10 in full to part sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Astilbe prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil in part shade, though it will tolerate full sun with constant moisture.
Crimson Beebalm produces tight terminal clusters of scarlet tubular flowers in summer, while Oriental Poppy has large, papery, cup-shaped flowers and a rosette of gray-green, finely divided foliage. Yarrow grows up to three feet tall and has feathery, finely cut leaves.
Native to the southern US and Mexico, Scarlet Sage is winter hardy in zones 8-10 and blooms continuously throughout the summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Its leaves give off a minty fragrance when crushed.
Peonies grow one to three feet tall and need extra support to keep the heavy blossoms erect. They like deep, well-drained, fertile soils in full sun to part shade and good air circulation.
Red Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) blooms in late summer and early fall, producing large, striking flowers up to six inches across. It thrives in sandy, fertile soil and full sun to part shade.
Petunias, zinnias, and geraniums are annual red flowers to try for a quick pop of color. Bleeding hearts and coral bells are red shade perennials that don't mind the shade.
For those in colder regions, it's important to note that Dahlias require special care. To overwinter dahlias in colder regions, dig up the tubers in autumn, dry them, and store them in dry sand or vermiculite at 35 to 45 degrees F.
Lastly, it's essential to consider the specific needs of each plant when planning your garden. Some plants, like Oriental Poppy, appreciate good drainage and full sun, while others, like Wild Columbine, have distinctive foliage that makes an attractive groundcover, resembling a rabbit's paw.
By incorporating these red perennials into your shady garden, you can create a beautiful and colourful outdoor space that attracts wildlife and adds charm to your home.
- The Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and Red Cardinal Flower, with their lipstick-red blossoms, add vibrant color in shady gardens, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Trillium species, known as Wake robin, offer red blooms in woodland shade, thriving under deciduous trees with rich, humus soil.
- Heuchera, or Coral Bells, sport red-colored foliage and small flowers in early summer, preferring part shade to shade, and well-drained soil that is not too wet or dry.
- Lychnis chalcedonica ('Maltese Cross') boasts vivid red flowerheads all summer and thrives in light shade, tolerating zones 3 to 7.
- Bleeding hearts and coral bells are red shade perennials that don't mind the shade, providing a quick pop of color as annuals.
- When planning your garden, remember the specific needs of each plant, like Oriental Poppy, which appreciates good drainage and full sun, or Wild Columbine, with its distinctive foliage that makes an attractive groundcover, resembling a rabbit's paw.
- By thoughtfully incorporating red perennials like these into your shady garden, you can create a beautiful and colorful outdoor space that attracts wildlife, complements your home-and-garden lifestyle, and adds a touch of fashion-and-beauty to your abode.
