Red is typically a tone-setting flower in the landscape, associated with feelings of love and passion. This is especially true for red irises, which steal the spotlight and demand supporting performances from companion flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and white.
Despite their cultivar names which can be slightly misleading, you won’t find a true, bright red iris like you would a rose or geranium.
Most come in shades of wine, brick, or maroon and may have orange or purple undertones. But if you’re looking for a pop of bold color from the iris family, here are 11 tried and true winners that’ll bloom (mostly) red and set a spicy tone.
‘Quechee’
This variety showcases striking deep garnet red petals with bronze undertones on spade-shaped and ruffled petals.
 | botanical name Iris germanica ‘Quechee’ |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun |
 | height 2-3 feet |
 | hardiness zones 3-9 |
The coloring on this dramatic bearded iris is a deep garnet red with hints of bronze. Its petals are broad and spade-shaped with lightly ruffled edges. The throat of these flowers is golden yellow and looks like it’s glowing. The flower’s beards are also yellow and prominent.
These lovely flowers emit a light chocolate scent and remain open for up to three weeks in the landscape. Their leaves are thick and sword-like and remain green until fall. The stems are strong and will stand tall without staking. Plant ‘Quechee’ with yellow iris varieties for a jewel-toned color scheme. It’s a member of the Tall Bearded class.
‘Ann Chowning’
With traditional red blooms and golden highlights, ‘Ann Chowning’ flowers have bright yellow throats and red veining.
| | botanical name Iris hexagona ‘Ann Chowning’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4-10 |
A member of the Louisiana iris group, ‘Ann Chowning’ has blooms that are a more traditional red color with golden highlights, bright yellow throats, and deep red veining. This cultivar grows best in low areas and along the edges of streams, marshes, and ponds. Its roots can handle a reasonable amount of standing water and spread quickly in naturalized settings.
No real maintenance is needed when Ann is grown in her native boggy environment. Gardeners who want to grow this cultivar in a controlled, ornamental setting must plant it in slow-draining locations and stay on top of watering. Planters with drainless bottoms and drums can also simulate swampy conditions.
‘Red Rider’
This German iris showcases satiny wine-colored blooms with textured petals and scalloped margins.
| | botanical name Iris germanica ‘Red Rider’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
A satiny sheen, leaning towards a wine color, is the main feature of the flower of this stunning German iris. Its petals are subtly textured with dark red veins and scalloped at their margins. The flower’s throats have an amber tone and beards to match.
‘Red Rider’ is deer resistant and very tolerant of drought once established. Plant this cultivar in well-drained soil and divide clumps every three to four years to prevent crowding and reduced bloom production. The flowers last 7-10 days after cutting, giving off a light scent.
‘Red Ember’
This Dutch iris is compact, with predominantly red flowers and plum-colored upright standards.
| | botanical name Iris hollandica ‘Red Ember’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 18-22 inches |
| | hardiness zones 5-9 |
An unusual combination of colors that combine for an overall aesthetic that’s predominantly red, this Dutch iris variety is small in scale. It maxes out at slightly less than two feet tall. The petals are smaller and less showy than those found on German irises.
The flower’s standards are plum-colored, upright, and slightly incurved with simple, slightly sheered margins. The falls are a deep, copper red with splotches of bright yellow. Its leaves are thin and grass-like. ‘Red Ember’ looks best in large drifts for a natural effect and has tall, straight stems that hold up well in a vase.
‘Grateful Red’
With dense flowers of bronze-red, amber beards, and frilly ruffling, ‘Grateful Red’ is stunning in the garden.
| | botanical name Iris germanica ‘Grateful Red’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 4-8 |
Each stem on this Tall Bearded iris features 3 to 4 branches with up to 8 blooms on each stem. Flowering is prolific and exceptionally dense on this cultivar.
The bloom color reads bronze-red with hints of chocolate and some violet accents. Its beards are amber-colored, and the petal ruffling is sweet and frilly.
Plant ‘Grateful Red’ if you want drama and a strong color scheme. Ensure rhizomes are set close to the soil surface to encourage proper flowering and do not cut leaves back until they have turned brown and flopped over completely. Use a moisture sensor or rain gauge to ensure you’re not over-saturating this cultivar.
‘Spartan’
Blood-red blooms with bronze undertones and orange highlights make ‘Spartan’ a standout plant.
| | botanical name Iris germanica ‘Spartan’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
Featuring blooms that are blood-red in color with bronze undertones and orange highlights, this cultivar is a focal point wherever it’s planted. Its petals are silky and loosely ruffled, with beards roughly the same color and glowing bronze throats.
‘Spartan’ is known for tolerating rain, wind, cold, and heat, so use it in vulnerable locations or where conditions might be unpredictable. It will flower best in full sun but can handle some afternoon shade without losing its luster.
‘Little Cajun’
A semi-aquatic iris, ‘Little Cajun’ thrives in wetland or water’s-edge areas in humid southern regions.
| | botanical name Iris fulva ‘Little Cajun’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 18-22 inches |
| | hardiness zones 6-9 |
A semi-aquatic, moisture-loving iris from the Iris fulva variety, ‘Little Cajun,’ grows best in wetland or water’s-edge locations in humid, southern parts of the world. ‘Little Cajun’ reaches heights of 18-22 inches and spreads prolifically in the right environment. It should be planted only where it will be allowed to sprawl or can be contained.
The petals on this diminutive iris are long and slender with very little frill. They range in color from coppery red to cinnamon and have yellow veins and throats. Its leaves are medium-width and have a bright green color. They will die back naturally at the end of the season.
‘War Chief’
This sturdy German iris features velvet-red petals and a golden amber beard and throat.
| | botanical name Iris germanica ‘War Chief’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-8 |
This sturdy German iris from the Tall Bearded category has velvet-red petals that are loosely ruffled and smooth to the touch. Its beard and throat are both a golden amber color. One of the most coveted features of this cultivar is a multiple-branching habit that features 4 offshoots from the main stem and up to 14 flowers per plant.
‘War Chief’ has upright, bright green foliage contrasting beautifully with its garnet-colored blooms, which hold their color well in direct sunshine. Plant on high ground with the tops of rhizomes exposed to ensure it lives up to its flowering potential.
‘Red Velvet Elvis’
‘Red Velvet Elvis’ is a bog iris with crimson red petals and violet undertones that thrive in moist soil.
| | botanical name Iris hexagona ‘Red Velvet Elvis’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6-9 |
A bog iris with crimson red petals with violet undertones, ‘Red Velvet Elvis’ will grow best in very moist soil. It will even grow in standing water up to 6 inches deep. While most are at home near the edge of a creek or pond, where water rises and falls naturally, these conditions can be mimicked in a home landscape or container garden if you’re prepared to give it some extra attention.
This cultivar has chartreuse green leaves that capture your eye and stand out against plants with darker foliage. Elvis will spread quickly once established and should be planted with room to roam.
‘Bernice’s Legacy’
This reblooming German iris showcases cinnamon-highlighted petals and amber beards.
| | botanical name Iris germanica ‘Bernice’s Legacy’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 2-3 feet |
| | hardiness zones 3-10 |
A Tall Bearded, reblooming German iris with cinnamon highlights and amber beards, ‘Bernice’s Legacy’ gives you the added bonus of blooming two (or more) times in a single season. Its flowers are scalloped and showy, with upright standards and wide, down-drooping falls, while the leaves are bright green and firm, retaining their color long into the fall.
After ‘Bernice’s Legacy’ blooms in late spring, cut faded flower stems down to the highest set of leaves, and this cultivar will send up more stalks. Divide every 3-4 years to prevent crowding and make sure rhizomes are planted high in the soil.
‘Red Beans’
This variety boasts brick-red blooms with dark veining and neon yellow throats.
| | botanical name Iris hexagona ‘Red Beans’ |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1-2 feet |
| | hardiness zones 6-9 |
A great choice for wet, southern landscapes and marshy areas, ‘Red Beans’ is a Louisiana water iris with a big personality. Its blooms are brick red with dark veining and neon yellow signals that protrude from their throats. The petals are recurved like a lily and slightly sheared at the edges.
Most of this cultivar’s stems will have double branches and multiple flowers. Its leaves are sturdy and attractive, even in standing water. ‘Red Beans’ has rhizomatous roots that must always be kept moist.
Final Thoughts
While most of us conjure images of purple or yellow ruffled flowers when we think about irises, the genus comes in a surprisingly broad range of colors. Most red irises will be found within the German and aquatic species. Use them when seeking depth and drama in the landscape, and pair them with yellows and oranges. Pay attention to their moisture preferences, as they vary greatly between the two groups, and make sure they get plenty of sun.
