WELCOME to our article, all about RED FLOWERING SHRUBS of 2023.
I know, I KNOW, many get fooled by the DECEPTIVE nature of RED FLOWERING SHRUBS.
Getting the right one can often take TIME and EFFORT. The odds are that you’ve faced failed results or been OVERWHELMED by the process. Those Pinterest boards do not translate easily into real life.
Worry not! It’s NEVER that serious. You DON’T need an UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE in botany to find your FOREVER SHRUB. We are here to HELP.
As experts, we UNDERSTAND how to get your gardening game to the NEXT LEVEL. Or at least close enough to that Pinterest board you have saved up.
We’ve got years of HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE in the game.
Are you looking for a few small blooms or a flower bed bursting with color? We HAVE SOMETHING to scratch that GARDENING ITCH.
Our guidance is just like Khabib Nurmagomedov; it remains UNDEFEATED. So, TRUST US!
You will learn about 16 different red flowering shrubs.
12 Red flowering shrubs
Here are the 12 beauties.
1. Rose Mallow
Rose Mallow is a DECIDUOUS SHRUB with stunning red flowers.
These showy flowers are DOTTED all over their WOODY BRANCHES. Plus, it has round overlapping petals in a SPIRAL PATTERN.
This hardy plant does just fine in MOST LOCATIONS. It doesn’t matter if you’re in balmy Florida or frozen Alaska (okay, maybe not that EXTREME. But you get the idea; it TOLERATES COLD regions.
And DON’T WORRY too much about taking care of this red flowering shrub. It is low maintenance, just like grooming your EYEBROWS.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 4 to 9.
Light Requirement: Full Sun to partial shade.
Mature Size: 3 to 4 feet tall (90 cm to 1.2 cm) and 9 inches in spread (22 cm).
Flowering Season: From summer to when it first snows in fall.
Water Needs: Drought tolerant but prefers well-watered, evenly moist. Loam or Sandy soil works just fine.
Native Area: The wetlands of Northern and Southern America.
Tips
I plant my Rose Mallow in WELL-DRAINED SOIL with a SLIGHTLY ACIDIC pH between 6 and 7. Water regularly after planting until the roots are ESTABLISHED. Then, I like to reduce watering to ONCE or TWICE weekly during the hot summer.
2. Bougainvilleas
Bougainvillea is an EVERGREEN SHRUB with pretty tomato-red flowers. I call it the “Boogie-down” flower. That’s because it’s so popular among gardening COOL KIDS that it makes them dance.
This flowering plant also produces DEEP RED or PINK BLOOMS along its stems. These variations create a living pride/rainbow flag in your garden.
This thorny plant makes a great addition to any garden space in WARM CLIMATES. Wait before you think it’s all piña coladas and sunshine, prepare to roll up your sleeves. They ask for REGULAR PRUNING to maintain their shape.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 10 to 12.
Light Requirement: Best in full sun
Mature Size: 8 to 30 feet tall (1.6 to 9.0 m) and 30 feet in spread (9.0 m).
Flowering Season: repeatedly throughout the year, spring, summer, fall, and even winter
Water Needs: drought tolerant but prefers well-watered, evenly moist.
Native Area: South America.
Tips
I make sure to DEADHEAD spent flowers REGULARLY. It helps ensure a productive blooming season for your Bougainvilleas. FERTILIZE at least ONCE A YEAR during the growing season for best results.
3. Japanese Quince
Japanese Quinces are DECIDUOUS SHRUBS covered with BRIGHT SCARLET RED round flowers. That’s just like the bouquet on my vision board.
It is also characterized by its FRAGRANT FLOWERS that come EARLY in the season.
The Flowering Quince is one of the EARLIEST BLOOMING BUSHES with red flowers. Talk about being early bloomers, just like some of us in 12th grade.
Their aroma makes the Flowering Quince shrub perfect for ATTRACTING BUTTERFLIES. The Flowering Quince has more rizz than some people out there. [*watches boomers google ‘rizz’*]
Hardiness Zones: USDA zone 5 to 9.
Light Requirement: Full Sun or partial shade.
Mature Size: 4 to 5 feet tall (1.2 to 1.5 m) and 8 feet in spread (2.4 m).
Flowering Season: late winter to early spring.
Water Needs: drought tolerant but needs average and regular watering, evenly moist. Tolerates heavy water-retaining soils like clay.
Native Area: Japan
Tips
Japanese Quince is great on banks and slopes. But they also work well as WALL-SIDE SHRUBS or BORDERS and WINDSCREENS. Plant your shrubs in raised beds to INCREASE DRAINAGE.
4. Weigela
Weigela is a popular RED-FLOWERING SHRUB. It also produces DEEP PINK FLOWERS during the blooming season. That’s like how your girl likes wearing her two favorite lipstick colors. At least Weigelas do not ask you which color they should wear. Hahaha
Weigela does best in SLIGHTLY ACIDIC SOIL but can tolerate other types. Just give them ENOUGH NUTRIENTS. They are a little like your HEALTH FREAK friend who always tells you they are on a diet.
This shrub is LOW-MAINTENANCE. You DON’T have to break your back for those awesome red blooms.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 4 to 8.
Light Requirement: Full Sun.
Mature Size: 6 to 10 feet tall (1.8 to 3 m) and 12 feet in spread (3.6 m).
Flowering Season: mid-spring to early summer.
Water Needs: drought tolerant but needs average and regular watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. Establishing plants need regular deep watering.
Native Area: Different Parts of Asia
Tips
Use ORGANIC MATTER to enrich the soil BEFORE planting your Weigelas. They only need a LITTLE WATERING once they are established. Remember to PRUNE them.
5. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are my FAVORITE RED FLOWERING SHRUBS. Their flowers are round, packed with petals like flattened RUBY-RED POMPOMS.
Mums also have DARK GREEN FOLIAGE that contrasts nicely with the vibrant splash of color.
These beauties prefer WARM CLIMATES. But they can TOLERATE most other regions unless you live in a FREEZER.
It is also a LOW-MAINTENANCE SHRUB. What’s there not to love? It’s LOVELY and EASY TO HANDLE, unlike some people’s girlfriends.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 4 to 9.
Light Requirement: Full Sun.
Mature Size: 1 to 3 feet tall (30 to 91 cm) and 2 feet in spread (60 cm).
Flowering Season: late summer to fall.
Water Needs: needs average and regular watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. Avoid water-logged soils.
Native Area: Different Parts of East Asia and Northeastern Europe.
Tips
I give my mums space, at least 3 feet apart. This helps with their SPREAD and AIR CIRCULATION, preventing diseases. I also like to use a BALANCED FERTILIZER.
6. Escallonia
Escallonias are red-flowering EVERGREEN SHRUBS. These babies have GLOSSY LEAVES and delicate, tube-shaped, fragrant red flowers.
The flowers come in HANDSOME CLUSTERS that can also range in color from white to pink. It’s easy to compare them to rubies, but even the finest rubies don’t smell as nice.
Escallonias cannot handle the cold at all; they like WARMER CLIMATES. They are like the OPPOSITE of Elsa from Frozen. [*wonders who that would be*]
And these shrubs with red flowers are perfect for GARDEN BORDERS and HEDGES.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 8 to 10.
Light Requirement: Full Sun to partial shade.
Mature Size: 3 to 8 feet tall (0.9 to 2.4 m) and 15 feet in spread (4.6 m).
Flowering Season: repeated from summer to autumn.
Water Needs: needs average and regular watering, evenly moist. Potted plants require more regular watering. Provide proper drainage. Avoid water-logged soils.
Native Area: Different Parts of North and South America.
Tips
I use organic mulch to retain good SOIL MOISTURE LEVELS. It also reduces the weeds around your plants. You can put Escallonias in HANGING BASKETS; they turn out GREAT.
7. Dwarf Spirea
Dwarf Spirea is a SMALL SHRUB with RED BLOOMS, making it an excellent choice for garden flower beds.
Thanks to its hardy nature, it’s EASY TO CARE for and can be planted anywhere. It WON’T grow in Antarctica, though; trust me, I know.
Its neutral-colored stems are like your favorite hat, they BLEND with MOST LANDSCAPES. Hahaha.
Dwarf Spirea’s red flowers ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES to these small shrubs. This supplies pollinators to your garden.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 4 to 8.
Light Requirement: Full Sun.
Mature Size: 2 to 3 feet tall (0.6 – 1 m) and 2 feet in spread (0.6 m).
Flowering Season: repeated from early spring to summer.
Water Needs: needs average watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. Mostly need watering when the soil is dry.
Native Area: Parts of China and Taiwan.
Tips
They like SLIGHTLY ACIDIC soil. So, you can use PEAT MOSS or SULFUR to balance the pH. Aim for 6-7 pH. Also, use PRUNING SHEARS when trimming your shrubs.
8. Waratah
The Waratah is a stunning red flowering shrub. They have DEEP RED FLOWERS and contrasting DARK GREEN LEAVES. They are mini fireworks in your garden, except they last longer.
Waratahs are also VERY LOW MAINTENANCE. Throw in some MINIMAL CARE here and there, and you have beautiful red flowers. They need an OCCASIONAL HEAD PAT, and they are good. Hahaha
If you leave these EVERGREEN PLANTS uncut, you can use them as HEDGES. Cutting them allows you even to use them INDOORS. So, get CREATIVE with these red blooms.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 9 to 11.
Light Requirement: Full Sun to partial shade.
Mature Size: 6 to 12 feet tall (1.8 to 3.6 m) and 16 feet in spread (4.8 m).
Flowering Season: repeated from spring to summer.
Water Needs: do not tolerate drought. Needs average to high watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. Avoid water-logged soils.
Native Area: Parts of southeastern Australia.
Tips
Protect your plants from STRONG WINDS as they tend to DAMAGE THEM. Watch out for FUNGAL DISEASES and ROOT ROT. A common symptom is MUSHY SOFT ROOTS.
9. Red Bush Lantana
Red Bush Lantanas are vibrant and attractive RED FLOWERING SHRUBS.
These Lantana Camara produce BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS. Apart from red, they come in pink, yellow, and other pastel shades. That’s just like your girlfriend’s makeup kit.
This EASY-TO-GROW plant needs warm, frost-free weather. You can grow them BLINDFOLDED. We don’t recommend it, but you get the point.
And you can use them as BORDERS, MASS PLANTING, or even INFORMAL HEDGES –whatever floats your boat.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 8 to 10.
Light Requirement: Full Sun.
Mature Size: 4 to 6 feet tall (1.2 to 1.8 m) and 6 feet in spread (1.8 m).
Flowering Season: repeated from late spring to frost.
Water Needs: drought tolerant. needs average and regular watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. Soil should not dry out.
Native Area: Parts of Tropical America, the West Indies, and Mexico.
Tips
I AVOID giving them TOO MUCH WATER and planting them in HEAVY SOIL. Sometimes I give my plants a SECOND FERTILIZER application around summer. This helps INCREASE their growth.
10. Yuletide Camellia
Yuletide Camellias are red flowering shrubs that produce vibrant, deep-red flowers. Apart from the name sounding like a SPANISH TELENOVELA STAR, these red shrubs have a unique look.
The bush stands out with red petals, orange stamen, and dark green foliage – an absolute FEAST FOR THE EYES! Don’t try to eat them, though. They taste terrible, don’t ask me how I know.
These red flowering bushes attract BENEFICIAL WILDLIFE such as BUTTERFLIES and HUMMINGBIRDS! That’s perfect for NATURE LOVERS.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 7 to 10.
Light Requirement: Full Sun.
Mature Size: 8 to 10 ft. tall (2.4 – 3 m) and 8 feet in spread (2.4 m).
Flowering Season: repeated from late fall and late winter.
Water Needs: needs moderate watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. Keep the top 3 inches of the soil dry.
Native Area: Parts of Asia.
Tips
I water TRANSPLANTS regularly until they are established. They grow more DROUGHT-RESISTANT once established. They make gorgeous cut flowers for your FESTIVE HOLIDAY VASES.
11. Pentas
Pentas are red flowering shrubs that BLOOM YEAR-ROUND in warm climates. They get “pent-up” frustrations in winter like the rest of us without heated floors. Hahaha.
Its SPEAR-SHAPED LEAVES serve as a backdrop to mounds of delicate star-shaped flowers.
Plus, the icing on the cake? These flowering shrubs are LOW MAINTENANCE. So don’t worry about a lot of upkeep, unlike with your ex.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 10 to 11.
Light Requirement: Full Sun to partial shade.
Mature Size: 2 to 3 ft tall (0.6 – 1 m) and 15 in spread (38.1 cm).
Flowering Season: repeated from spring to fall.
Water Needs: needs average and regular watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. Water when the soil is dry.
Native Area: Parts of Yemen and East Africa.
Tips
Water your Pentas at the BASE. Do not OVERHEAD WATER them. Also, DEADHEAD your plants during the growing season to promote PROPER GROWTH.
12. Flowering Maple
The flowering maple is a LOW-GROWING rounded bush with red, cup-shaped flowers. If these plants had any more FLAIR, I’d swear that they were designed to FISH for compliments.
This flowering shrub has BRILLIANT COLORS. These provide an EYE-CATCHING addition to any garden.
These red flowering bushes work well in BORDER PLANTINGS. And they provide excellent GROUND COVER for larger areas of land. They are just like colorful little soldiers taking ground cover in your garden.
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 9 to 11.
Light Requirement: Best in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
Mature Size: 18 in to 10 ft tall (45 cm to 3 m) and 6 ft in spread (1.8 m).
Flowering Season: repeated in summer and fall but can bloom all year.
Water Needs: Needs average and regular watering, evenly moist. Provide proper drainage. It should not be waterlogged.
Native Area: Parts of Brazil.
Tips
Stake your young flowering maples to give them the support they need. Also, use insecticidal soap if you see any aphids on your plants.
FAQs about Red Flowering Shrubs
1. What shrub has green leaves that turn into red flowers?
No leaves turn from green into red flowers. But Poinsettias are the closest thing to that happening.
2. How long does it take for red crape myrtle to fully mature?
Your crepe myrtle may not bloom if it is only a young tree. It can take 3-5 years for a tree to become established enough to flower. This sounds like a long time. But bear in mind that the trees take 5-10 years to mature and 20-50 years to reach their ultimate size.
3. How do you care for a Crimson Azalea?
Hydrangea Paniculata, also known as Crimson Azalea, is a beautiful flowering shrub. It must be planted in moist soil with partial sun exposure for optimal growth.
Water frequently during dry spells and prune branches occasionally to enhance fullness of the plant. To keep its vibrant red color from fading away use mulch around the base of it.
4. How do you keep a red hydrangea red?
Soil pH generally determines the color of red hydrangea. If you give your plants some Alkaline soil with a pH above 7.0, you will get shades of red and pink. This is your best option to get those wonderful red blooms. Lower pH levels create lavender or purple-ish flowers.
So, add garden sulfur or aluminum sulfate to your soil to lower the pH to that sweet spot.
5. What is an easy to grow plant with bright red flowers that do well in hot, dry summers like Central Texas?
Texas Star Hibiscus is a bright and colorful plant perfect for hot, dry summers in Central Texas. It’s easy to grow and features vibrant five-petal red flowers.
It also has glossy green leaves that contrast its brilliant blossoms perfectly. And the foliage of this perennial can reach 3 to 6 ft tall. Lastly, it loves the full sun!
What’s Next
We discussed an array of beautiful red flowering shrubs. Their appearances, characteristics, light requirements, sizes, and hardiness.
Each was unique in its own way: sure to bring beautiful pops of color to any garden! With such variety, you’ll be spoilt for choice – so get ready for some serious decision-making!
Starting out a flower garden? You are in the right place.
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