Royal Reds

Red attracts attention to itself, nowhere more than in the flower garden. It has to be used judiciously, but hints of red here and there throughout the garden can make it come alive.  Bright, velvet, eye-catching, commanding, dominating and enlivening--as well as a peerless accent and color enhancer. I love reds!

Red tulips light up spring bulb plantings

Breadbox poppies like stoplights in the garden

Early growth of the red-tip Photinia is a common sight all over the state of Oregon, where it grows readily.

Cinco de Mayo rose, usually shades of bright pink-red, shows more reddish in cooler weather. Red is such an intense brilliant color that shooting a photo in bright sunlight can result in high contrast and shadow.

The floribunda Cinnamon Twist, drawing attention to itself again. This was photographed in the shadow of a building so it would not reflect too much light.

One of the best of the Achillea Millefolium--Paprika, the intense red, drought-resistant and heat-loving milfoil yarrow 

One of many red roses in my yard. I have lost track of the varieties. They mostly grow very tall and very wide and are covered with these beauties.

Against the barbed-wire fence daylilies bloom in a smooth, dull, brick-red shade that matches the red-centered potentilla Miss Willmott growing up all around this corner of the garden. Miss Willmott spreads readily and reaches high, trying to be tall even though she is supposed to be a ground cover.

I couldn't resist including this photo of the annual salvia "Lipstick." It is a charmer wherever it is grown.

The Bloodgood Japanese maple against the backdrop of the elderberry Black Lace. More winter-hardy than most and fairly tall, this tree will stand cold winds that kill off less determined Japanese maples. The red color is especially lovely in the spring and later again in the cool of autumn.