Roses are red – but that’s not the only way to make your garden sizzle.
Red is the color of love and energized feelings, which can carry over to the garden. With careful planning of plants and design, red can bring the heat to your garden.
Azalea bushes bloom early in the spring and come in various colors, including red. This perennial shrub likes partial shade but will grow in full sun. A mature shrub can be 3 feet tall and at least 2 feet wide.
Another shrub to consider is Spirea. Again, there are many colors available, including red. Spirea likes full sun and will produce blooms from late spring through fall. Shrubs in landscaping are sometimes called foundation planting, which I want to interpret as building the foundation of the garden.
Many perennials can bring the heat. Two of my favorites are also favorites of butterflies and other pollinators. Bee Balm likes full sun and begins to bloom mid-summer, and goes non-stop until early fall. It’s the same with cone flowers. Although pinky-purple is the most common color, this perennial is available in white and red. It is easy to grow and can handle the dry soil of the hot summer.
Yarrow is often seen in soft yellow and white, but look for the red variety to add to your mix. The soft cluster of tiny blooms is flat on top, creating the perfect landing spot for pollinators.
It wouldn’t be a Valentine column about red without a mention of Bleeding Hearts. This delicate perennial likes partial to full shade. Blooms will appear in late spring and last for several weeks. Then, the plant will die back and reappear the following spring.
Moving into late summer perennials, think about Cardinal Flowers if you have a wet spot in your garden. This plant can tolerate wet feet. Although not a perennial, Canna lilies can also thrive in wet soil. The Canna Lily creates drama. It often reaches 48 inches in height and has contrasting leaves that make the red heat up any area of your garden.
The hardy Hibiscus is a show stopper with red flowers that can be 9 inches wide. Plant in part-shade to full sun and expect blooms from mid-summer to early fall.
When thinking about fall blooms, don’t forget Chrysanthemums.
Mums, often seen in yellow and white, are available in deep rust and red. Just remember to plant hardy mums, not florist mums. Hardy ones can take the winter weather and will return the following year. Florist mums are beautiful but should be treated as annuals.
If you are commitment-shy and not ready for year after year blooms, don’t fret. There are plenty of annuals that will give you a good time for just one summer.
Let’s start with my favorite red annual, geraniums. Again, pink, white, and coral are available; but red is the way to go. For me, the red is nostalgic and something I include in my containers every year. They like sun and consistent water and will bloom all summer long.
If you are looking for dependable blooms, go for petunias or lantana. Both workwell in containers and will provide easy color to your designs. Verbena also works well in containers. These three annuals will bend over the edges and be the spiller of your planting mix.
Impatiens will add color to a part shade- part sunny spot. If they begin to get leggy, pinch the stems back, forcing new growth and blooms to appear. Waxy begonias will thrive in shade or sun. This plant grows tight and won’t spread or vine across your garden space.
Zinnias planted in shades of orange, pink, and red create a photo-worthy moment in any garden. These colorful flowers with yellow centers are easy to grow from seeds or seedlings.
Red is the color of stop signs and traffic lights. Using red in your garden can make the eye stop and take in the moment – know this when adding the color to your garden. The moment can be sexy canna lilies or the easy attraction of zinnias. Plan accordingly.
Shrubs and perennials will give you a long-term relationship with the color. Annuals let you date around until you find the one. Whatever your style, have fun adding and creating red-hot moments in the garden.