There’s just something about the color red that really quickens the heartbeat. Long considered a color of passion and excitement, it also brings to mind a little danger. After all, it’s not just the color of the heart, but it’s also associated with our very blood.
Whether you like the symbolism or simply adore the color red, we’ve got a treat for you today. In this article we’re going to showcase some trees for you that Mother Nature felt the urge to impart a little scarlet and crimson grace to!
 Some of the trees will be United States natives, but to keep things we’ve collected a sampling from all over the world. If you’re ready, then read on and we’ll tell you all about these fantastic trees and their brilliant red flowers!
Table of Contents
A dozen trees and so many different shades of red!
Below you will find our collection of trees with red flowers and for each one, will tell you a little about how big they get, as well as what kind of soil, sunlight, and watering requirements they have. Each is quite the beauty and if you love the color red, then you’ve definitely come to the right place.Â
Without further ado, let’s take a look and you can see what you think!
1. African Tulip Tree
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Family: Bignoniaceae
- Scientific Name: Spathodea Campanulata
- Other Names: Scarlet Bell
Care and information
Our first entry is the African Tulip tree which produced lovely scarlet blooms that are perfectly contrasted with its striking, dark-green leaves. Growing anywhere from 70 to 90 feet in the wild with a spread of about 50 feet, cultivated versions are still pretty big – with 40 to 60 feet being the common range. It’s also a fast grower, with 24 inches being the average growth rate per year, and it’s considered a medicinal tree on its home continent of Africa. As far as growing in the U.S., this tree does well in cooler tropical climates and actually thrives in Hawaii!
As far as growing requirements, these trees will do best in any well-draining potting soil where they are also exposed to full sunlight. Watering is done frequently, with the ideal scenario being that the soil is always moist, but not soggy.Â
2. BottleBrush Tree
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Scientific Name: Callistemon
- Other Names: Callistemon tree
Care and information
If you live in Florida, especially in zones 9 through 11, then you may have seen the Australian native known as the Bottlebrush tree. Often sold as a shrub, the Bottlebrush may be grown as a tree and can reach up to 25 feet in height, with a 15 foot spread outdoors, they can be grown inside if you have a little space by a sunlight-friendly southern window.Â
The name of the tree is actually a description of its flowers, which are tubular and look like little red brush heads. They make their appearance in the spring and summer and if you are growing them outdoors, then you’re going to get visits from pollinating insects and birds once those flowers arrive!
Bottlebrushes will grow in clay or in sandy, well-draining soils, and they love full sunlight, so make sure that they are getting at least 6 hours a day of it. For watering, they don’t like to be damp, so keep the soil moist without letting it get soggy – typically a once a week watering schedule is perfect. Just make sure that the top 1 inch of soil is dry before you water, however, to help avoid any risk of overwatering and root rot.Â
3. Crabapple TreeÂ
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Family: Rosaceae
- Scientific Name: Malus sylvestris
- Other Names: Wild Apple, Forest Apple
Care and information
Crabapples, also known as ‘Forest Apples’, come in many heights and widths, including dwarf varieties, so their typical height and width ranges anywhere from 5 to 25 feet tall and with a spread in the same range. Loved for both their fruits and sweet fragrance, Crabapples can produce pink, white, or red blooms between April and May that will stick around all summer but if your own tree hasn’t bloomed yet, then don’t panic – younger trees often don’t bloom, so you might just be in for a surprise next year if you’re lucky!
As far as soil requirements, Crabapples thrive the best in a rich, loamy soil – a combination of silt, sand, and clay being ideal. While they can tolerate light shade, they really prefer full sunlight, and though they are drought tolerant, for the first year you’ll want to water it deeply and fully across the root zone at least once a week.Â
4. Dynamite Crape MyrtleÂ
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Family: Lythraceae
- Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia indica
- Other Names: Crepe Flower, Lilac of the South
Care and information
Growing to a height of 15 – 20 feet with a spread of 10 to 15 feet, the Dynamite Crepe Myrtle is the first Crape Myrtle with true red flowers. This particular variety was cultivated by one Dr. Carl Whitcomb and produces cherry red blossoms in the spring and summer that really catch the eye. Once fall arrives, they’ll also turn a delightful orange-red hue that you are definitely sure to love.Â
Adapted to thrive in Texas soils, this variety of Crape Myrtle likes moist, well-draining soil, with a little acidity to it, and it’s going to need full sunlight if you want those flowers to be their reddest. As far as watering, when you are establishing it for the first few weeks then you’ll want to keep the soil perpetually moist – not soggy – and once it’s established, simply water it whenever the top inch of soil is dry.Â
5. Flowering Dogwood Tree Â
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Family: Rosaceae
- Scientific Name: Cornus florida
- Other Names: Boxwood, Cornel
Care and information
The Flowering Dogwood tree is another red-blooming beauty that can be grown with a single trunk or trained young for a multi-trunk piece of living art in your yard. Measuring in at 25 to 30 feet fully grown and with a spread of 25 to 0 feet, they are definitely picturesque, and come spring they’ll bring you four-petaled flowers of red, white, or pink. You’ll even get a second wave of crimson when the fall arrives, as its leaves will redden before they bid their tree adieu!
 Dogwood is a hardy deciduous tree that can grow as far east as Maine and as far west as Texas and Missouri, but you’ll need to properly host it if you want it to thrive. Dogwoods like a moderately acidic soil, preferably in the range of 5.6 to 6.5, and it should be well-draining but not easily dried out.Â
As far as sunlight, full sun is okay, but these trees will do best in partial shade, and you’ll need to water them once a week to a depth of approximately 6 inches for best results. Â
6. Indian Coral TreeÂ
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Family: Fabaceae
- Scientific Name: Erythrina variegata
- Other Names: Tiger’s Claw, Dedap, and Mountain-Ebony
Care and information
Next up on our list is the Indian Coral tree, a spiny, fast-growing tree that becomes densely populated with beautiful scarlet blooms from February to March. Living from 40 to 150 years, these trees are pretty vibrant, and the simple act of planting one of its branches can grow a tree that will be up to 60 to 80 feet tall with a 20 to 40 foot spread – not too shabby at all!
We aren’t kidding about the ‘spiny’ description, either. Each of the leaves on this plant have curved, black spines referred to as ‘Tiger’s claws’, so while you may enjoy this tree’s beauty, you’d best be careful when you touch it!
This tree needs tropical lowlands conditions to thrive and it likes a sandy loam type soil, well-draining, but it is hardy enough to thrive in many other soil types. It also does best in full sunlight and should be watered regularly during the spring, summer, and fall months, but much less in winter when it is dormant. Typically, a deep watering every 9 days is ideal, but if you see the leaves drooping then it’s time to water it right away.
7. Pomegranate TreeÂ
- Difficulty Level: BeginnerÂ
- Family: Punicaceae
- Scientific Name: Punica granatum
- Other Names: Malum Granatum (The Grainy Apple)
Care and information
Measuring in at 12 to 20 feet tall and with roughly the same projected spread, the Pomegranate tree is another fine choice for those who love beautiful red blooms. Flowering each spring until fall, they will usually give you fruit within 2 to 3 years of planting which will start appearing in March or April and is ready to harvest between August and October.Â
While they will grow in clay or sandy, well-draining soils, Pomegranate trees prefer a deep loamy medium and you need to watch the alkalinity of the soil – they’ll tolerate a little, but the best range is considered between 5.5 and 7.2. Aside from this, they need at least 6 hours of full sunlight every day and you should water it deeply when the top inch of its soil is dry – which could be weekly or biweekly, depending on your circumstances.
8. Red Flowering GumÂ
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Scientific Name: Corymbia ficifolia
- Other Names: Eucalyptus ficifolia, Albany Red Flowering Gum
Care and information
A fast-growing tree from the evergreen eucalypt from the myrtle family, Red Flowering Gum can produce beautiful red flowers, but it’s floral delights also come in white, orange, pink, and bicolor blooms as well! Fully grown, they can be anywhere from 18 to 40 feet tall with spreads of 15-60 feet wide, and it will grow about 2 feet every year if you take good care of them.
While it’s an Australian native, you’ll sometimes see these in California, and they will grow in zones 10 and 11 with a little patience and a lot of love. These trees require an acidic, sandy soil, although they’ll make do with clay if it’s well-draining. They also like full sunlight and you will want to water them once a week. If you’re late a day or two, this tree is actually a bit forgiving as it’s drought tolerant once it’s gotten established.
9. Red Silk Cotton TreeÂ
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Family: Bombacaceae
- Scientific Name: Bombax ceiba
- Other Names: Silk-Cotton Tree, Kapok
Care and information
Blooming in the early spring or even in the late winter, the Red Silk Cotton Tree thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climes – and you’ll understand why when you see its flowers!. While they start out as tight green buds, they expand when they bloom into large, star-shaped red flowers that are short-lived but which smell very sweet.Â
The tree itself is a tall one once fully grown, towering up to a fully-grown size of 60 to 75 feet, with an impressive spread of 40 to 60 feet wide. Some will climb even further if conditions are ideal, aws Red Silk Cotton trees as tall as 150 feet are not unheard of!
Sandy, well-draining soils are best for Red Silk Cotton trees and the beauties will also need full sunlight in order to thrive and to look their best. Watering will also depend on how hot it is where you are hosting the tree, but typically it will be done once or twice a week and once biweekly when the winter arrives.
10. Red Silky Oak
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Family: Proteas
- Scientific Name: Grevillea banksii
- Other Names: Kahili flower Tree, Byfield Waratah, Spider Flower
Care and information
Another red-flowering Aussie tree is the Red Silky Oak which produces some really amazing red flowers that fan out like a handful of feathers or like a clump of red spider’s legs – depending on your imagination. Certainly odd, but quite exotically beautiful. As far as their height and spread, the Red Silky tree can grow to be anywhere from 19 to 29 feet high, and as wide as 14 to 20 feet – so while it’s a small tree, it is also very much like a shrub.
Red Silky Oaks will do well even in poor soils, but they like a loamy or sandy and well-draining soil the best. They will also need about 6 hours of full sunlight each day, although they can also cope with a little shade if they have to. Finally, for their water, usually you will only need to water them every 2 weeks, as they aren’t very needy in this regard due to being drought resistant.Â
As they are Aussie native trees, however, you’ll likely need to grow this inside if you want to have a Red Silky Oak of your own!Â
11. Royal Poinciana Tree
- Difficulty Level: Intermediate
- Family: Fabaceae
- Scientific Name: Delonix regia
- Other Names: Phoenix Tree, Flame of the Desert
Care and information
Next up we have the Royal Poinciana Tree which may grow to be as tall as 40 feet, with a spread of 40 to 60 feet wide! Starting in the spring, this evergreen begins producing flowers which are a vibrant orange or –you guessed it – a rich, rich red!
While it’s certainly quite beautiful, if you decide to plant one in your own yard or garden we would advise you to keep it at least 10 feet away from buildings or your sidewalk. That’s because this tree has large surface roots that could cause a little damage if you’re not careful.Â
Should you desire to grow one of your own, these trees tolerate a wide range of soils, including clay, gravelly, sandy, or loamy varieties, just as long as they are well-draining. Full sunlight is also important to keep your tree happy and healthy and as far as water, you’ll only need to keep the soil moist (but not soggy). Once a week watering should be just about perfect!Â
12. Witch HazelÂ
- Difficulty Level: Beginner
- Family: Hamamelidaceae
- Scientific Name: Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’Â
- Other Names: Common Witch Hazel, Southern Witch Hazel
Care and information
Our final entry is Witch Hazel, which is a small enough tree to qualify as a shrub, though fully grown it can get as tall as 20 to 30 feet with a spread of 15 to 20 feet to it.
Despite its potential, on average these trees will settle for 15 to 20 feet and in late October or early November they can produce flowers of yellow, orange, or red, with the ‘Diane’ species we’re listing being copper-red, orange-red, or simply red. Another variety, the ‘Kohankie Red’ gives you red flowers with purple calyces!
While these trees can adapt to many types of soil, a rich, loamy, and well-draining soil medium is their favorite, and full sunlight will also give them the energy they need to be the best trees that they can be. While natural rainfall will usually be enough to maintain them outside, it’s best to simply test the top inch of soil and to water your Witch Hazel whenever this is dry.Â
FAQs
We’re just about out of time today, but before we go we’ve collected a few frequently asked questions about red flowers for those of you who are curious about them. W
What pollinators are attracted to red flowers?
Red flowers can attract hummingbirds, although they tend to look for the tubular flowers that host the delicious nectar they enjoy. This is why a lot of birdwatchers will paint their feeding stations red, so that local hummingbirds will find them and sample the sugar water that is left out for them each day.
Red flowers can also attract butterflies, so hummingbirds won’t be your only avian visitors if you decide to cultivate some of these red flowering trees on your own.
Are bees attracted to red flowers?
Nope! While you may have heard a rumor saying that bees are attracted to the color red, this is actually untrue. That’s because bees are color blind! So, to them, instead of bright, red blooms, the bees will simply see black space which means that there is nothing interesting for them to investigate.
What about wasps? Are they attracted to red flowers?
No, wasps are not attracted to the color red. Like bees, they are color blind, although wasps can make out some of the green wavelength of color. Red won’t attract them, since it will simply look dark, but they seem to dislike pale and light coloration, so a white t-shirt would be a worse thing to wear than a red one with wasps nearby!
Do red birds really get their color from flowers?
You might not know this, but when you see a red bird, there is a big chance that reg pigmentation from flowers is involved! Flower pigments fall into categories – flavonoids, betalains, and carotenoids – and carotenoids are the key to reg pigmentation in many birds!
Carotenoids come from more than just flowers, however, with oranges, pumpkins, maize, and sweet potatoes being just a few examples of where you can find them. So, when those red birds are snacking on foods in feeders or they happen to consume a smaller animal that has eaten enough of them, then the carotenoids get into their system and produce that brilliant red plumage. Isn’t Nature amazing?!
What is the easiest red flower to grow indoors?
If you are looking for some plants to complement your red-flowering trees, Geraniums are an excellent choice that you can grow both indoors and outdoors with very little work. You can get them just about anywhere and if you feel like a little contrast to compliment your tree then Geraniums have got you covered there too – as a genus of over 422 species, you’ll find white, pink, purple, orange, reddish-black, mauve, and more.
Give them a try sometime if you want something low maintenance and you can see what all of the fuss is about. You’ll be happy that you did!
Some closing words on trees with red flowers
In this article, we’ve explored some of Nature’s generous gifts in the form of trees with eye-popping red flowers! While we’ve only touched the surface, each of these beauties may be cultivated in the right conditions to add some vibrant color and beauty to your backyard. If one or more have piqued your interest, just be sure to double check their requirements and if the tree is tropical or subtropical and you don’t live in Florida or Hawaii, then you’ll want to see if they may be raised inside.
We hope that you have enjoyed this list and ‘til next time, we wish you and yours the very best!
