Red flowering shrubs bring life and energy to any garden space. These plants serve as natural focal points as they have bold colors and interesting shapes. Whether you have a small garden or a big landscape, red flowering shrubs can transform ordinary space into stunning outdoor retreats that look gorgeous all year round.
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon displays large, red double blooms that resemble hibiscus flowers from mid-summer through fall. This upright shrub grows 8 to 12 feet tall, forming a natural vase shape that works well as a specimen plant or informal hedge. The dark green leaves emerge late in spring but provide a perfect backdrop for the showy flowers. These plants bloom in different soil types and light conditions, though they bloom best under complete sunlight. Regular deadheading extends the blooming period and prevents unwanted seedlings.
Red Knock-Out Rose
Red Knock Out Roses bloom continuously from spring until frost, providing months of bright red flowers. These tough shrubs resist common rose diseases and need less care than traditional roses. Growing about 4 feet tall and wide, they work well as informal hedges or mass plantings. The shrubs maintain a neat shape naturally and produce new flowers every five to six weeks. They tolerate various soil types and need at least six hours of sun daily for best flowering.
Yuletide Camellia
Yuletide Camellia offers striking red flowers with dark green leaves. This evergreen shrub blooms during the holiday season, making it a festive addition to winter gardens. It grows to about 8 feet tall and maintains a neat, upright form without much pruning. The glossy leaves stay attractive all year, while the bright red flowers with yellow centers provide color when most other plants are dormant. This camellia does best in partial shade and makes an excellent foundation plant or hedge.
Cherry Explosion Hydrangea
Cherry Explosion Hydrangea produces large clusters of red flowers that slowly change colors throughout the season. Starting as cherry red in summer, the blooms shift to deep pink, then mauve, creating ongoing visual interest. This shrub reaches 4 feet tall and wide. The plant needs regular watering and performs best in the morning sun and afternoon shade.
Lantana
Lantana grows into a rounded shrub covered with clusters of red flowers from spring through fall. This heat-loving plant reaches about 6 feet tall in warm climates but stays smaller in cooler regions. The dark green leaves release a strong scent when touched, and the flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Lantana tolerates poor soil and drought conditions once fully grown. The plant needs full sun for best flowering and benefits from regular trimming.
Little John Bottlebrush
Little John Bottlebrush displays distinctive bright red flower spikes that look like bottle brushes, blooming heavily in spring and summer. This compact evergreen shrub grows three to five feet tall and wide, making it perfect for smaller gardens or container growing. The narrow, gray-green leaves create a striking contrast to the vibrant red blooms. The plant needs full sun and good drainage to thrive. Regular pruning after flowering helps maintain its dense, rounded shape and encourages more blooms.
Bloom-A-Thon Red Azalea
Bloom-A-Thon red azalea offers multiple flowering periods throughout the growing season. The first flush of bright red blooms appears in spring, followed by repeated blooming cycles until frost. This reblooming azalea grows about four feet tall and wide, making it suitable for foundation plantings or containers. The evergreen foliage provides year-round structure, white the repeated blooming cycles extend the garden’s color season. These azaleas need well-draining acidic soil and partial shade to grow properly.
Red Flowering Quince
Red flowering quince brings early spring when most other plants are still dormant. The thorny branches burst with bright red flowers before the leaves emerge. It creates a stunning display against the winter’s bare landscape. The tough shrub grows up to six feet tall and wide, tolerating various soil conditions and requiring little maintenance. The flowers give way to yellow-green fruits in fall that add extra interest and provide food for local birds. You can use this shrub for hedges or as a security barrier due to its thorny nature.
Crape Myrtle
Crape Myrtle produces clusters of crinkled, crepe-paper-like red flowers that bloom for several months in summer and fall. This versatile plant can grow either as a shrub or a small tree, reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet if left unpruned. Beyond its long blooming season, it offers spectacular fall color when the leaves turn orange and red. This plant thrives in hot climates, full sun, and resists drought once fully grown.
Here are a few more red flowering shrubs that you may want to consider for your garden:
Royal Red Butterfly Bush
Royal red butterfly bush produces deep wine-red flower spikes that bloom from summer through fall. This fast-growing shrub reaches heights of six to eight feet tall, creating a commanding presence in the garden. The long, arching branches hold dark green leaves and masses of fragrant flowers that attract birds and bees. It performs best in full sun and well-draining soil, tolerating both heat and drought once established.
Azalea Autumn Fire
The azalea autumn fire stands out with its rich semi-double blooms that appear in both spring and fall. This compact shrub grows to about three feet tall, making it perfect for smaller gardens and tight spaces. The deep green leaves provide a beautiful backdrop for the vibrant flowers, and the plant maintains its shape with minimal pruning. These azaleas thrive in partial shade and need well-draining acidic soil. They work wonderfully in foundation plantings, mixed borders, or grouped to create colorful masses in the landscape.
Chilean Fire Bush
Chilean fire bush grows rapidly into a large shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 20 feet or more. The brilliant red tubular flowers appear in masses during late spring and early summer. This plant thrives in mild climates and needs protection from harsh winds. The evergreen leaves provide a year-round structure. It tolerates drought conditions well and needs minimal care beyond occasional pruning.