If you’re looking for beautiful blooms to add to your garden or bouquets, this list of flowers that start with R is perfect for you!
We’ve included both annual and perennial plants in this guide, so you’re sure to find something you love. From roses and ranunculus to rampion and rudbeckia, there are plenty of options that will add a splash of color to your outdoor space.
Keep reading to learn more about these stunning flowers that start with R!
Annual Flowers that Start with R
Following is the list of the Annual flowers that start with R
Rebutia
This genus of cactus produces adorable, ball-shaped or cylindrical plants that look like tiny barrels. The flowers that bloom in summer range from yellow to orange to red and often feature contrasting centers.
Rebutia requires full sun and well-draining soil. Water only when the soil is completely dry, then give the plant a thorough soaking.
Regal Geranium
A member of the geranium family, this annual is beloved for its bold, magenta flowers that bloom from summer to fall.
Its large, lobed leaves add texture to garden beds and borders, and its upright habit makes it an ideal choice for containers.
Regal geraniums grow best in full sun and well-draining soil. Water deeply, but infrequently, and deadhead regularly to promote more blooms.
Rocket larkspur
Also known as Italian larkspur, this perennial produces tall spikes of blue, purple, white, or pink flowers with dark centers. The flowers bloom in late spring and summer above clusters of foliage.
Rocket larkspur grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. Deadhead regularly to help prolong the bloom time.
Redvein Enkianthus
This small, deciduous shrub displays delightful clusters of white flowers in the spring and attractive foliage in the fall. The leaves are green during the growing season but turn shades of red and orange in autumn.
Redvein enkianthus prefers part shade and acidic, well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones 5-8.
Rock Rose
This low-growing shrub is covered in papery, five-petaled flowers in shades of pink, orange, yellow, or white. A Mediterranean native, rock rose prefers hot, dry climates and blooms in summer and fall.
Rock rose plants should be planted in well-draining soil in a spot that receives full sun to light shade.
They are drought tolerant once established, but regular waterings will encourage more blooms.
Perennial Flowers that Start with R
Following is the list of the Perennial flowers that start with R
Rusty Foxglove
This easy-to-grow perennial produces tall spikes of tubular, rusty-orange flowers in the summer, often attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Its tall stems are topped with lance-shaped leaves, and it tends to spread wider than it is tall. Rusty foxglove prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Rampion
This edible flowering plant also goes by the name “campanula rapunculus.” Its small, bell-shaped flowers are bright purple, blue, or white and are produced in abundance during the summer months.
Rampion’s succulent leaves are also edible and make a good addition to salads. Rampion grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
Reticulated iris
The Reticulated Iris is a dwarf bulbous perennial plant that typically grows to a height of 6-8 inches. It produces flowers in early spring, usually in March and April.
This plant is often used as an edging or border plant in garden beds and rock gardens.
Roof Iris
With its sky-blue flowers and succulent-like foliage, roof iris is a great choice for small spaces. Native to the Mediterranean, it grows in rosettes and reaches just six inches tall.
The flowers appear in spring and summer, and the foliage stays evergreen in warm climates. This easy-to-grow plant prefers full sun and well-draining soil.
Rosemary
This fragrant, drought-tolerant herb grows quickly in warm climates. Rosemary can reach up to five feet high and almost as wide, with small, decorative flowers blooming in the spring. Grow rosemary in full sun and well-drained, sandy soil. Prune regularly and provide some protection from cold winter weather.
Red Buttons Opuntia
This low-growing succulent shows off its colorful, round pads and bright red flowers in the spring and summer. Its small size and colorful blooms make it a great choice for rock gardens, container gardens, and succulent gardens.
Red buttons opuntia prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch, and be sure the plant is not sitting in standing water.
Rocky Mountain Iris
This western North American native brings a little wildness to the garden with its showy, purple, and yellow flowers and its sword-shaped foliage.
Rocky Mountain iris is a great choice for rock gardens, especially those with limited irrigation. Provide this perennial with well-draining, sandy soil and full sun for best results.
Rondeletia
This tropical, evergreen shrub produces clusters of bright, pink, star-shaped flowers with yellow centers and spicy-sweet fragrance all year long in warm climates.
It is also an excellent choice for container gardens and can be pruned into a hedge. Native to the Caribbean and Central America, rondeletia needs full sun and well-draining soil.
Rue anemone
An early spring bloomer, rue anemone’s star-shaped, white flowers open on a bed of delicate, ferny foliage. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators and make them a great choice for a wildflower garden.
Native to North America, rue anemone prefers part to full shade and moist, well-draining soil.
Rattlesnake Master
This wildflower produces tall spikes of small, star-shaped white or blue flowers in summer. The flowerheads are often surrounded by an attractive yellow halo. The foliage is unique, with long, ridged leaves that resemble rattlesnakes, giving the plant its common name.
Rattlesnake master is a native of the southeastern United States and grows best in full sun and moist, well-draining soil.
Red Valerian
This showy perennial bears its deep red, pink, or white blossoms on long stems in summer and fall. Red valerian’s spiny foliage looks like that of a cactus and serves as a perfect backdrop for the flowers.
Native to the Mediterranean, red valerian needs full sun and well-draining soil. It also tends to be short-lived, so it’s best to plant new starts every few years.
Red-veined dock
This perennial produces tall stalks of cherry-red and green-striped leaves. In the fall, the plant produces small, greenish-white flowers. It is often used as a garden accent or as a border plant and is a great addition to a pollinator garden.
Red-veined dock requires full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate some drought but is not tolerant of wet soil.
Rose of Sharon
This deciduous shrub produces large, single, or double hibiscus-like flowers in shades of blue, pink, purple, or white that bloom from midsummer into fall.
Rose of Sharon grows eight to 12 feet tall and wide and is drought tolerant once established. The plant prefers full sun and slightly acidic soil. Prune in late winter to control size and shape.
Roundleaf Liverleaf
This low-maintenance, spreading groundcover blooms in early to mid-spring with clusters of white flowers that attract bees, birds, and butterflies. The foliage is evergreen in mild climates and provides year-round interest.
Roundleaf liverleaf is native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia and prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial to full sun.
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia, or black-eyed Susan, is a classic garden flower with a vibrant, daisy-like bloom. The deep yellow or orange petals surround a dark center and bloom atop sturdy stems all through summer and into fall.
Rudbeckia is easy to grow in average, well-drained soil and full sun. Deadheading will encourage additional blooms.
Rex Begonia
This eye-catching houseplant features large, striking leaves in deep green and purple hues. Depending on the variety, the foliage may be plain, striped, splashed, or even edged with silver or gold.
Though rex begonias are not typically known for their flowers, some varieties will produce spikes of small, white blooms in the summer months.
This tropical plant loves bright, indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist soil.
Rosinweed Sunflower
This unique sunflower, also known as rattlesnake master, bears bright yellow, daisy-like blooms atop tall stems throughout summer and fall. Its foliage is equally showy, with large, serrated leaves and a long, narrow seed head.
Rosinweed sunflower prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and it can tolerate drought.
Russian Sage
This fragrant, drought-tolerant perennial provides a cloud of bluish-purple flowers and grayish-green foliage that lasts from midsummer through fall.
Russian sage is a great choice for hot, dry climates where other plants may struggle, and it attracts butterflies with its nectar-rich blooms.
Russian sage thrives in full sun and well-draining soil.
Red hot poker
These striking, spiky blooms draw hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden in late spring and summer. Red hot poker is a robust perennial with grass-like foliage that grows one to three feet tall, depending on the variety.
Most red hot poker varieties prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
Red Torch Cactus
This vibrant cactus species produces brilliant red, yellow, or orange blooms that appear in late spring and early summer.
The cylindrical stems of this columnar cactus can reach up to 10 feet tall and feature spines that come in a variety of colors.
Red torch cactus prefers well-draining soil and full sun, though it will tolerate some light shade. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11.
Rainbow Cactus
This unusual succulent produces colorful, star-like flowers atop its spiny stems. Native to the deserts of Mexico, the rainbow cactus is an easy-care, sun-loving plant that can grow up to two feet tall and wide.
Rainbow cactus prefers well-draining soil and full sun. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Ranunculus
These bright, vibrant flowers have layers of delicate petals that resemble small roses, and they come in a wide range of colors.
Ranunculus are perfect for cutting gardens, flowerbeds, and containers, and they make a stunning addition to bouquets.
Ranunculus prefer full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Plant tubers in the fall in warmer climates and in the late winter or early spring in cold climates.
Rhododendron
These shallow-rooted evergreen shrubs produce a profusion of trumpet-shaped flowers in spring. Depending on the variety, colors range from white and light pink to deep purple and red.
Rhododendrons are happiest in acidic soil, partial shade, and a location protected from strong winds. They need regular water and mulch around the base of the plant to keep the soil moist.
Rose
The most famous of all flowers, roses come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Most need full sun, well-draining soil, and regularly scheduled pruning and fertilizing.
Roses have been cultivated for centuries and come in over 150 varieties, from the classic hybrid tea rose to the fragrant climbing rose.
No matter which type of rose you choose, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blooms and a wonderful scent.
Rodgersia
Rodgersia is an herbaceous perennial that is highly ornamental and easily recognizable. Its large, dark green leaves are deeply lobed and make a striking backdrop for its fluffy clusters of white or pink flowers.
Grow this shade-loving plant in moist, well-draining soil in partial to full shade.
Rebutia albiflora
These low-growing desert cacti produce a stunning array of pink, yellow, red, and orange flowers in summer. The thimble-sized plants make excellent additions to rock gardens and succulent pots, and they’re especially eye-catching when planted en masse.
Rebutia prefers full sun and well-draining soil. As with most cacti, be sure to water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Rhipsalis Neves Armondii
This plant is a type of epiphytic cactus native to the rainforests of Brazil. It has long, slender, snakelike stems with delicate, star-shaped, white flowers that bloom in the winter.
Rhipsalis neves armondii is perfect for hanging baskets and window boxes, and it does best in bright, indirect light and regular watering.
Rose Mallow
Rose mallow produces large, saucer-shaped flowers in white, pink, or mauve from midsummer to fall. Its foliage is reminiscent of a hollyhock but with a less ragged shape.
This easy-to-grow plant prefers full sun and moist, well-draining soil. In colder climates, mulch heavily in the winter and cut it back in the spring to ensure the best blooms.
Robins plantain
This sprawling, low-growing groundcover produces a mass of delicate, sky-blue flowers in the summer, attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects. Its interestingly shaped leaves form rosettes, and the entire plant is covered in a soft, downy fuzz.
Robins plantain grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. It’s drought-tolerant and easily propagated through seed or division.
Rain Lily
Rain lilies are aptly named for their habit of blooming after the rain. These small, star-shaped flowers appear in shades of pink, white, or yellow. Their attractive foliage forms clumps that spread quickly, though they’re not overly invasive.
Rain lilies enjoy full to part sun and moist, well-draining soil, making them ideal for rain gardens.
Rebutia Heliosa
This small, mat-forming cactus produces clusters of bright yellow flowers in the spring and summer. Its thick, oval stems are covered with white spines, adding a unique texture to the garden.
This tough, hardy type of vegetation can resist long, dry spells and exposed places in clear, direct sunlight.
Rat tail Cactus
This trailing cactus gets its name from its long, tail-like stems, which produce cream-colored flowers in the summer.
Rat tail cactus can be grown in containers, rock gardens, and even hanging baskets, where its stems will cascade over the sides.
Grow rat tail cactus in a bright spot with some protection from direct sunlight and well-draining soil. Water when the soil is almost dry, and fertilize sparingly.
Rue
Rue, also known as the herb of grace, is a fragrant herb with a long history of use in gardens and kitchens. Its bright yellow blooms and ferny foliage appear in early summer, followed by edible berries in the fall.
This hardy perennial grows best in full sun and average, well-draining soil.
Red Campion
This wildflower is a favorite of pollinators, producing clusters of bright pink or white flowers with five petals each in spring and summer.
Its deeply divided, gray-green foliage often turns bronze in autumn and provides a beautiful backdrop for other plants in the garden.
Red campion prefers moist, well-draining soil and full to part sun.
Final Thoughts
This post outlined several flowers that start with the letter R. These, which included both annual and perennial varieties such as Rose and Rhododendron, etc., ranged from tropical to temperate. Any of those listed would make great additions to one’s garden or a special gift, as all provide aesthetically pleasing blooms.
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