Popular Red Violet Flowers for Your Garden

Red-violet is a rich hue that combines the intensity of red with the deep tones of violet. This color can introduce a sense of depth and drama to garden spaces and floral arrangements. Its inherent energy draws the eye, making it effective for creating focal points and transforming a simple garden bed into a dynamic display.

Perennial Red-Violet Flowers

Perennials form the backbone of many gardens, returning each year to provide reliable color. Several varieties offer red-violet blooms that can anchor a planting design.

The ‘Karl Rosenfield’ peony is a classic choice, producing large, deep crimson-red double blooms in late spring to early summer. This variety grows best in full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Once established, these peonies are long-lived and require minimal care.

For late-season color, the ‘Crimson Brocade’ New England Aster offers star-shaped, reddish-purple flowers from late summer into autumn. Asters thrive in full sun and attract pollinators. Another option is Dianthus, often called “pinks,” which includes varieties that produce flowers in shades of red. These plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil, blooming from late spring into summer with a clove-like fragrance.

Annual Red-Violet Flowers

Annuals complete their life cycle in one season, making them ideal for adding temporary color to containers, garden beds, and hanging baskets. They are also perfect for filling gaps while perennials establish or for creating season-long displays.

Petunias are a staple for summer color, and many modern hybrids offer rich, red-violet tones. Varieties like the Supertunia® series are known for vigorous growth and profuse blooming, thriving in full sun with regular watering and fertilization. They are well-suited for containers and hanging baskets where their trailing habit can be appreciated.

Celosia, with its feathery plumes or crested flower heads, provides both striking color and unusual texture. Red-violet cultivars of Celosia perform well in hot, sunny locations with well-drained soil. Zinnias also come in deep red-violet shades, such as the ‘Benary’s Giants Wine’ variety, and are excellent for cutting gardens.

Red-Violet Flowering Shrubs and Vines

Shrubs and vines add structure, height, and permanence to the garden. Weigela is a deciduous shrub that offers trumpet-shaped flowers in late spring, with some varieties reblooming through summer. Cultivars like the Sonic Bloom® Red Weigela produce lipstick-red flowers and are known for repeat blooming. These shrubs prefer full sun and are adaptable to various soil conditions.

For a vining option, Bougainvillea is a tropical favorite that can be grown as an annual or in containers in colder climates. Its true flowers are small but are surrounded by large, papery bracts in vibrant colors, including shades of red-violet. Bougainvillea thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making a striking statement on a trellis or wall. Rhododendrons also include cultivars with deep red-violet flowers, providing a bold display in spring.

Designing with Red-Violet Flowers

The intensity of red-violet makes it a versatile color in garden design. It can be paired with complementary colors for a high-contrast look. Placing red-violet flowers next to plants with chartreuse or yellow-green foliage makes both colors appear more vivid.

An analogous color scheme, using colors next to each other on the color wheel, offers a harmonious feel. Pairing red-violet with shades of deep pink and purple creates a rich, layered effect. Incorporating plants with silver, gray, or burgundy foliage is also effective, as these tones provide a backdrop that makes the red-violet flowers stand out.