Red perennials

These are the perennials in our records with red among their flower colors. A plant is listed here only if its record gives a hardiness zone of 7 or colder, so it can stay in the ground over winter in zone 7 or colder; dahlias are left out for that reason. The table below compares every plant we list side by side.

Varieties
60
Height
0½–8 ft (10–250 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 2–10
Flowers

20 Peonies

17 Tulips

12 Coneflowers

10 Lilies

1 Daffodils

All 60 red perennials

A Actaea daffodil flower up close on the plant Actaea Poet's daffodil from 1919 with white petals and a red-rimmed yellow cup, 15 to 17 inches. Mid spring, Late spring15–17 in (38–43 cm)Poeticus
A Apeldoorn tulip flower up close on the plant Apeldoorn Darwin Hybrid tulip with large red flowers, 18-20 inches, mid spring. Mid spring18–20 in (45–50 cm)Darwin hybrid
A Ballerina tulip flower up close on the plant Ballerina Lily-flowered tulip in blood-red and marigold orange, 16 to 20 inches tall. Late spring16–20 in (41–51 cm)Lily-flowered
A Bartzella peony flower up close on the plant Bartzella Itoh peony with semi-double to double lemon yellow flowers and a red center, 34 inches tall, midseason. Early summer3 ft (86 cm)Itoh (intersectional)
A Black Pirate peony flower up close on the plant Black Pirate Lutea hybrid tree peony with single dark red satiny flowers, bred by Saunders in 1935. Late spring, Early summer2 ft (61 cm)Tree
A Buckeye Belle peony flower up close on the plant Buckeye Belle Semi-double herbaceous hybrid peony in very dark red with golden stamens, early season. Late spring2½ ft (76 cm)Herbaceous
A Canada lily lily flower up close on the plant Canada lily Native species lily with up to 20 nodding speckled bells in orange, red or yellow. Midsummer, Late summer3–5 ft (91–152 cm)Species
A Casa Grande tulip flower up close on the plant Casa Grande Greigii tulip with large tomato-red flowers and a black center, 18 inches tall. Early spring18 in (46 cm)Greigii
A Cheyenne Spirit coneflower flower up close on the plant Cheyenne Spirit Seed-grown coneflower mix in red, orange, magenta, golden yellow and white. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2–2½ ft (56–76 cm)Single
A Claude Shride lily flower up close on the plant Claude Shride Martagon lily with glossy mahogany red Turk's cap flowers on 3 to 4 ft stems. Late spring, Early summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Martagon
A Double Scoop Cranberry coneflower flower up close on the plant Double Scoop Cranberry Double coneflower with cranberry red double pom-pom flowers, 24 to 26 inches tall, zones 4 to 9. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2 ft (61–66 cm)Double
A Double Scoop Orangeberry coneflower flower up close on the plant Double Scoop Orangeberry Double coneflower with orange-red double pom-pom flowers, 24 to 26 inches tall, zones 4 to 9. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer2 ft (61–66 cm)Double
A Double Scoop Raspberry coneflower flower up close on the plant Double Scoop Raspberry Double coneflower with raspberry-rose double cushion flowers, 21 to 23 inches tall, zones 4 to 9. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall22–24 in (55–60 cm)Double
A Enchantment lily flower up close on the plant Enchantment Asiatic lily with upright orange-red flowers spotted red-black, on stems 50 to 100 cm tall. Early summer (estimated) 1½–3½ ft (50–100 cm)Asiatic
A Estella Rijnveld tulip flower up close on the plant Estella Rijnveld Heirloom Parrot tulip with twisted red and white flamed petals on 18-20 inch stems. Mid spring, Late spring18–20 in (46–51 cm)Parrot
A Festiva Maxima peony flower up close on the plant Festiva Maxima Heirloom herbaceous peony with creamy white double flowers flecked with crimson, 34 inches tall. Late spring, Early summer3 ft (86 cm)Herbaceous
A Firebird coneflower flower up close on the plant Firebird Hybrid coneflower with scarlet red, shuttlecock-shaped flowers in midsummer. Midsummer2½–3 ft (76–95 cm)Single
A First Arrival peony flower up close on the plant First Arrival Early Itoh peony with semi-double pink to lavender flowers and red flares, 28 inches tall. Late spring (estimated) 2½ ft (71 cm)Itoh (intersectional)
A Flaming Parrot tulip flower up close on the plant Flaming Parrot Parrot tulip with yellow petals flamed red, on 18 to 22 inch stems. Late spring18–22 in (46–56 cm)Parrot
Floresta Kaufmanniana tulip striped red and white, yellow interior, 8 inches, early spring. Early spring8 in (20 cm)Kaufmanniana
A Garden Treasure peony flower up close on the plant Garden Treasure Itoh peony with semi-double yellow flowers and muted red flares, 22 to 24 inches tall, mid to late season. Early summer2 ft (56–61 cm)Itoh (intersectional)
A Graefin Bettina tulip flower up close on the plant Graefin Bettina Greigii tulip, yellow with thick red flames and mottled foliage, 10 to 12 inches tall. Early spring, Mid spring10–12 in (25–30 cm)Greigii
A High Noon peony flower up close on the plant High Noon Tree peony with semi-double lemon yellow flowers flared raspberry at the base, blooming in May. Late spring4–5 ft (122–152 cm)Tree
A Hillary peony flower up close on the plant Hillary Itoh peony with semi-double creamy red flowers fading to cream around a darker center, 24 to 30 inches tall. Early summer (estimated) 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm)Itoh (intersectional)
A Hot Papaya coneflower flower up close on the plant Hot Papaya Double coneflower with red-orange pompom over orange rays flowers, 29 to 35 inches tall, zones 4 to 9. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3 ft (75–90 cm)Double
A Jan Reus tulip flower up close on the plant Jan Reus Triumph tulip with deep velvet red goblet flowers, 20 inches, mid spring. Mid spring20 in (50 cm)Triumph
A Julia Rose peony flower up close on the plant Julia Rose Itoh peony with single to semi-double flowers that open cherry red and fade to orange, then yellow. 28 inches tall. Early summer (estimated) 2½ ft (71 cm)Itoh (intersectional)
A Kansas peony flower up close on the plant Kansas Rose-type double lactiflora peony in watermelon red, midseason, APS Gold Medal 1957. Late spring, Early summer3 ft (91 cm)Herbaceous
A Karl Rosenfield peony flower up close on the plant Karl Rosenfield Double red lactiflora peony from 1908, midseason bloom, 30 to 36 inches tall. Late spring, Early summer2½–3 ft (76–91 cm)Herbaceous
A Kismet Red coneflower flower up close on the plant Kismet Red Compact Kismet coneflower with large single red flowers from June to October. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall16 in (41 cm)Single
A Lady Jane tulip flower up close on the plant Lady Jane Species tulip with rosy-red outer petals and ivory-white inside, 6 to 12 inches tall. Mid spring6–12 in (15–30 cm)Species
A Lakota Fire coneflower flower up close on the plant Lakota Fire Compact coneflower with orange red and pinkish red flowers, 12 to 16 inches tall. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall12–16 in (30–41 cm)Single
A Leopard lily lily flower up close on the plant Leopard lily Tall West Coast species lily with nodding orange-red flowers spotted dark brown. Midsummer5–8 ft (150–250 cm)Species
A Little Beauty tulip flower up close on the plant Little Beauty Cherry-red miniature species tulip with a white-edged blue center, 4 inches tall. Late spring4 in (10 cm)Species
A Mama Mia coneflower flower up close on the plant Mama Mia Hybrid coneflower whose petals shift through red, orange, salmon and pink. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall1½–2 ft (51–66 cm)Single
A Marilyn tulip flower up close on the plant Marilyn Lily-flowered tulip with white petals flamed red, 22 inches tall. Mid spring, Late spring22 in (56 cm)Lily-flowered
A Matrix lily flower up close on the plant Matrix Dwarf Asiatic lily with red flowers with orange centers, 16 to 20 inches tall. Early summer, Midsummer16–20 in (41–51 cm)Asiatic
A Night Flyer lily flower up close on the plant Night Flyer Asiatic lily with slightly pendant black-red flowers and orange pollen on 3 to 4 foot stems. Early summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Asiatic
A Nippon Beauty peony flower up close on the plant Nippon Beauty Japanese-type peony by Auten (1927), late, about 32 inches tall. Early summer (estimated) 2½ ft (81 cm)Herbaceous
A Old Faithful peony flower up close on the plant Old Faithful Double dark velvet red herbaceous hybrid peony, midseason, APS Gold Medal 1997. Late spring, Early summer (estimated) 3 ft (91 cm)Herbaceous
A Paul M. Wild peony flower up close on the plant Paul M. Wild Fully double ruby red lactiflora peony, late midseason, 32 to 36 inches tall. Early summer2½–3 ft (81–91 cm)Herbaceous
A Red Charm peony flower up close on the plant Red Charm Bomb-type double herbaceous hybrid peony in deep red, early season, APS Gold Medal 1956. Late spring2½ ft (81 cm)Herbaceous
A Red Emperor tulip flower up close on the plant Red Emperor Heirloom Fosteriana tulip with red flowers over a yellow base, up to 7 inches across. Early spring, Mid spring16–18 in (41–46 cm)Fosteriana
A Red Princess tulip flower up close on the plant Red Princess Double Early tulip, scarlet with maroon-purple blush, sport of Orange Princess. Mid spring12–14 in (30–36 cm)Double early
A Red Velvet lily flower up close on the plant Red Velvet Asiatic lily from 1964 with deep red, downward-facing recurved flowers on 3 to 4 foot stems. Early summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Asiatic
A Rococo tulip flower up close on the plant Rococo Parrot tulip with ruffled red petals edged in green on 16-inch stems. Late spring16 in (41 cm)Parrot
A Ruby Star coneflower flower up close on the plant Ruby Star Seed-grown purple coneflower with carmine red to purple rays, June to August. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer2–3 ft (61–91 cm)Single
A Scarlet Heaven peony flower up close on the plant Scarlet Heaven Itoh peony with single bright red flowers and yellow stamens, 28 inches tall, midseason. Early summer2½ ft (71 cm)Itoh (intersectional)
A Shima-Nishiki peony flower up close on the plant Shima-Nishiki Japanese tree peony with semi-double red flowers irregularly striped white around yellow stamens. Mid spring (estimated) 3–6 ft (91–183 cm)Tree
A Sombrero Salsa Red coneflower flower up close on the plant Sombrero Salsa Red Compact Sombrero coneflower with overlapping orange-red petals and an orange-brown cone. Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer2 ft (61–66 cm)Single
A Starfighter lily flower up close on the plant Starfighter Oriental lily with upward-facing crimson red flowers edged white on 3 to 4 foot stems. Midsummer, Late summer3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Oriental
A Stargazer lily flower up close on the plant Stargazer Oriental lily with upward-facing crimson pink flowers edged white on 3-foot stems. Midsummer, Late summer2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm)Oriental
A Sword Dance peony flower up close on the plant Sword Dance Japanese-type peony by Auten (1933), late, about 36 inches tall. Early summer (estimated) 3 ft (91 cm)Herbaceous
A Taiyo peony flower up close on the plant Taiyo Japanese tree peony with semi-double bright red flowers and yellow centers, blooming early in the season. Mid spring, Late spring3–6 ft (91–183 cm)Tree
A The First tulip flower up close on the plant The First Heirloom Kaufmanniana tulip, carmine-red edged white, 8-10 inches, early spring. Early spring8–10 in (20–25 cm)Kaufmanniana
A Tiny Padhye lily flower up close on the plant Tiny Padhye Dwarf Asiatic lily with white-tipped petals stained deep red, 40 to 45 cm tall. Midsummer16–18 in (40–45 cm)Asiatic
A Tomato Soup coneflower flower up close on the plant Tomato Soup Single coneflower with tomato-red single flowers, 27 to 31 inches tall, zones 4 to 9. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½ ft (70–80 cm)Single
A Toronto tulip flower up close on the plant Toronto Multi-flowering greigii tulip with tangerine-red petals and mottled foliage, 14 inches tall. Early spring, Mid spring14 in (36 cm)Greigii
A Tulipa linifolia tulip flower up close on the plant Tulipa linifolia Scarlet-red species tulip with purplish-black bases, 4 to 6 inches tall, blooming in May. Late spring4–6 in (10–15 cm)Species
A Walter Mains peony flower up close on the plant Walter Mains Japanese-type peony by Mains (1957), midseason, about 33 inches tall. Late spring, Early summer (estimated) 3 ft (84 cm)Herbaceous

How to choose

  1. Look at the Color column. A bicolor or blend is recorded with every color the seller names, so a plant can appear here and on another color page.
  2. Check the Hardiness column against your USDA zone. The zone range tells you where the plant is expected to survive winter.
  3. Compare the Bloom time column if you want the color at a particular point in the season.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Actaea Poeticus daffodil 15–17 in (38–43 cm) 3–7 Mid spring, Late spring Full sun
Apeldoorn Darwin hybrid tulip 18–20 in (45–50 cm) 3–8 Mid spring Full sun, Part sun, Part shade
Ballerina Lily-flowered tulip 16–20 in (41–51 cm) 3–8 Late spring Full sun
Bartzella Itoh (intersectional) peony 3 ft (86 cm) 4–8 Early summer Full sun
Black Pirate Tree peony 2 ft (61 cm) 4–9 Late spring, Early summer Full sun (estimated)
Buckeye Belle Herbaceous peony 2½ ft (76 cm) 3–8 Late spring Full sun
Canada lily Species lily 3–5 ft (91–152 cm) 4–8 Midsummer, Late summer Part sun, Part shade
Casa Grande Greigii tulip 18 in (46 cm) 3–8 Early spring Full sun, Part shade
Cheyenne Spirit Single coneflower 2–2½ ft (56–76 cm) 4–9 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun, Part shade
Claude Shride Martagon lily 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun, Part shade
Double Scoop Cranberry Double coneflower 2 ft (61–66 cm) 4–9 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun, Part sun
Double Scoop Orangeberry Double coneflower 2 ft (61–66 cm) 4–9 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer Full sun, Part sun
Double Scoop Raspberry Double coneflower 22–24 in (55–60 cm) 4–9 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Enchantment Asiatic lily 1½–3½ ft (50–100 cm) 4–9 (estimated) Early summer (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Estella Rijnveld Parrot tulip 18–20 in (46–51 cm) 3–8 Mid spring, Late spring Full sun, Part shade
Festiva Maxima Herbaceous peony 3 ft (86 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun
Firebird Single coneflower 2½–3 ft (76–95 cm) 4–9 Midsummer Full sun
First Arrival Itoh (intersectional) peony 2½ ft (71 cm) 4–8 (estimated) Late spring (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Flaming Parrot Parrot tulip 18–22 in (46–56 cm) 4–7 Late spring Full sun
Floresta Kaufmanniana tulip 8 in (20 cm) 3–8 Early spring Full sun (estimated)
Garden Treasure Itoh (intersectional) peony 2 ft (56–61 cm) 4–8 Early summer Full sun
Graefin Bettina Greigii tulip 10–12 in (25–30 cm) 3–7 Early spring, Mid spring Full sun (estimated)
High Noon Tree peony 4–5 ft (122–152 cm) 4–9 Late spring Full sun, Part shade
Hillary Itoh (intersectional) peony 2–2½ ft (61–76 cm) 4–8 Early summer (estimated) Full sun
Hot Papaya Double coneflower 2½–3 ft (75–90 cm) 4–9 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Jan Reus Triumph tulip 20 in (50 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Mid spring Full sun (estimated)
Julia Rose Itoh (intersectional) peony 2½ ft (71 cm) 4–8 (estimated) Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Kansas Herbaceous peony 3 ft (91 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun
Karl Rosenfield Herbaceous peony 2½–3 ft (76–91 cm) 3–8 Late spring, Early summer Full sun
Kismet Red Single coneflower 16 in (41 cm) 4–9 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Lady Jane Species tulip 6–12 in (15–30 cm) 4–8 Mid spring Full sun
Lakota Fire Single coneflower 12–16 in (30–41 cm) 4–9 (estimated) Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Leopard lily Species lily 5–8 ft (150–250 cm) 5–9 Midsummer Full sun, Part shade
Little Beauty Species tulip 4 in (10 cm) 4–8 Late spring Full sun
Mama Mia Single coneflower 1½–2 ft (51–66 cm) 4–9 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Marilyn Lily-flowered tulip 22 in (56 cm) 3–8 Mid spring, Late spring Full sun, Part shade
Matrix Asiatic lily 16–20 in (41–51 cm) 3–9 Early summer, Midsummer Full sun, Part sun
Night Flyer Asiatic lily 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 4–10 Early summer Full sun
Nippon Beauty Herbaceous peony 2½ ft (81 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Old Faithful Herbaceous peony 3 ft (91 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring, Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Paul M. Wild Herbaceous peony 2½–3 ft (81–91 cm) 3–8 Early summer Full sun, Part shade
Red Charm Herbaceous peony 2½ ft (81 cm) 3–8 Late spring Full sun
Red Emperor Fosteriana tulip 16–18 in (41–46 cm) 3–8 Early spring, Mid spring Full sun, Part shade
Red Princess Double early tulip 12–14 in (30–36 cm) 3–7 Mid spring Full sun (estimated)
Red Velvet Asiatic lily 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 4–9 Early summer Full sun, Part sun
Rococo Parrot tulip 16 in (41 cm) 3–8 Late spring Full sun, Part shade
Ruby Star Single coneflower 2–3 ft (61–91 cm) 3–8 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer Full sun, Part shade
Scarlet Heaven Itoh (intersectional) peony 2½ ft (71 cm) 4–8 Early summer Full sun
Shima-Nishiki Tree peony 3–6 ft (91–183 cm) 4–9 Mid spring (estimated) Full sun, Part shade
Sombrero Salsa Red Single coneflower 2 ft (61–66 cm) 4–9 Early summer, Midsummer, Late summer Full sun, Part shade
Starfighter Oriental lily 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 4–8 Midsummer, Late summer Full sun, Part shade
Stargazer Oriental lily 2½–3½ ft (76–102 cm) 4–9 Midsummer, Late summer Full sun, Part sun
Sword Dance Herbaceous peony 3 ft (91 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)
Taiyo Tree peony 3–6 ft (91–183 cm) 3–8 Mid spring, Late spring Part shade, Full sun
The First Kaufmanniana tulip 8–10 in (20–25 cm) 3–8 Early spring Full sun (estimated)
Tiny Padhye Asiatic lily 16–18 in (40–45 cm) 2–9 Midsummer Full sun, Part shade
Tomato Soup Single coneflower 2½ ft (70–80 cm) 4–9 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Toronto Greigii tulip 14 in (36 cm) 3–8 Early spring, Mid spring Full sun, Part shade
Tulipa linifolia Species tulip 4–6 in (10–15 cm) 4–8 Late spring Full sun
Walter Mains Herbaceous peony 3 ft (84 cm) 3–8 (estimated) Late spring, Early summer (estimated) Full sun (estimated)

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Where should red perennials go in a border?

The RHS suggests placing bright, hot colours and larger flowers closest to where you most often view the border, with paler, smaller flowers at the far end. Use the Height column to decide how far forward a plant can go.