10/16/2026
Now you can search our native plant catalog by color. The whole rainbow is there, plus white and pink. Most people have preferences and associations with colors. Ultimately, color can affect how we feel. In fact, creating the color categories and exploring the catalog in that way was really enjoyable for me!
Many of our client gravitate towards or away from certain color palettes. It's fascinating and fun. Red can have particularly strong associations. In the Red category, you'll find wildflowers, trees, and shrubs that feature red blooms, red fruit, scarlet fall color, and even red branches.
Of course, we have the essential reds - Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) and Bee Balm (Monarda didyma). Let's go beyond the essentials and explore:
It's now mid-October, and red fall foliage is on the rise. Serviceberry species like Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) have had red foliage for weeks. Soon, Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) will have radiant burgundy red leaves.
Autumn is spurring on red fruit - Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Hearts-a-Bursting (Euonymus americanus), Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana), Solomon's Plume (Maianthemum racemosum), and Spikenard (Aralia racemosa).
Many landscapers love to work with the brilliantly red Red-osier Dogwood. However Silky Dogwood (Cornus amomum) is a great choice for more subtle red. Silky Dogwood is hardy, fast-growing, commonly occurring native shrub of wet/moist shores and shrublands. Birds love Silky Dogwood fruit.
Lastly, we have the autumn flush of Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) flowers.
Often red is a fleeting part of the native garden. You can enjoy longer lasting reds with Coral Honeysuckle (blooms in the spring/early summer and again late summer through fall). The ruby-red Virginia Rose hips stick around from summer through winter months. Depending on bird migration, we've sometimes had Spicebush fruits persist. The red arils of Hearts-a-Bursting can stick around, too. Lastly, the red branches of Silky Dogwood are a year-round feature.
