12 revitalizing Flowers That Start with R for You to Grow This Year

A garden ripping with flowers can be regal or rambunctious and rewarding. The real reward is the bees and other pollinators they bring. Successive waves of blossoms supply vital food for vulnerable bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. They recharge and rejuvenate with every pollinated flower, and my cucumbers and Watermelons would be fruitless without them.

reticulated iris flower

I’m working my way through all my favorite flowering plants, in alphabetical order, so let’s take a look at twelve of my most treasured plants that start with the letter R.


1. Reticulated Iris (Iris reticulata)

Reticulated Iris
Reticulated Iris

Also known as the Dwarf Iris or Netted Iris, the Reticulated Iris is a classic perennial bulb. It produces gorgeous purple and gold blooms with a distinctive pattern on the lower petal.

The name ‘iris’ comes from the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow, a messenger of spring. Plant them along borders or by ponds and let them herald the changing of the seasons.

Botanical Name:Iris reticulata
Growth Rate:Fast growing annual
Native Range:East Turkey to Iran
Hardiness Zones:5a to 9b
Dangers:Poisonous, can cause contact dermatitis
Soil Needs:All types, moderately moist
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Disease resistant
Propagation:Division of bulbs
Fertilizer:Moderate; 5-10-5 three times a year
Pests:Pest resistant
Blooming Period:Spring
Pruning:Remove dead flower-heads
Water needs:Moderate; short term drought resistant
Reticulated Iris

2. Rampion Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides)

Rampion Bellflower
Rampion Bellflower

The Rampion Bellflower is a fast-growing perennial with inch-long flowers in soft shades of violet and mauve. It’s edible and was often grown across its native range for its nutritious leaves.

They’ll thrive in most conditions, but be warned – they’re an invasive weed in many parts of the United States. Check with your local extension before you plant in garden beds, or restrict this one to pots.

Botanical Name:Campanula rapunculoides
Growth Rate:Fast
Native Range:Eurasia
Hardiness Zones:3 to 7
Dangers:Invasive species that spreads easily
Soil Needs:All types, moist well draining
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Very easy
Diseases:Disease resistant
Propagation:Self propagates readily from seeds and bulbs
Fertilizer:Not required
Pests:Snails, slugs
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:None
Water needs:Moderate moisture, drought resistant
Rampion Bellflower

3. Red Campion (Silene dioica)

Red Campion
Red Campion

In shaded woodlands across Europe, Red Campion flowers are said to protect fairies and other magical creatures from discovery.

More commonly they encourage and support other little winged things, as their gorgeous purple and mauve flowers are a favorite food for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Botanical Name: Silene dioica
Growth Rate: Fast
Native Range: Europe
Hardiness Zones:5 to 8
Dangers:None
Soil Needs:All types except heavy clay, well draining
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Disease resistant
Propagation:All types except heavy clay, well-draining
Fertilizer:Low needs, amend very poor soil with compost
Pests:Pest resistant
Blooming Period:Spring and summer
Pruning:Self-seeds readily, division.
Water needs:Moderate, some drought resistance
Red Campion

4. Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber)

Red Valerian
Red Valerian

Also known as Jupiter’s Beard and the Keys of Heaven, Red Valerian is a massive pollinator draw-card in any garden. It produces dense flower heads bearing many small, star-shaped blooms that bees and butterflies adore.

They’re so easy to grow and tolerate such wide conditions that they can break out of gardens and become a pest, so be careful where you plant.

Botanical Name:Centranthus ruber
Growth Rate:Medium
Native Range:Mediterranean
Hardiness Zones:5 to 8
Dangers:Can become a weed
Soil Needs:All soil types prefer alkaline soil
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Self-seeds
Propagation:Self seeds
Fertilizer:Low needs
Pests:Pest resistant, some risk of aphids and mealybugs
Blooming Period:Late spring through to early fall
Pruning:Deadhead to encourage new blooms
Water needs:Low, drought tolerant
Red Valerian

5. Regal geranium (Pelargonium × domesticum)

Regal geranium 1
Regal Geranium

Regal geranium is a warm climate plant with flowers that range from pink or purple to variegated red and scarlet. They’re often grown indoors, but if you’re in a warmer part of the country they do just fine as an annual.

They are vigorous growers and many enthusiasts just take armloads of cuttings each fall to replant in the spring.

Botanical Name:Pelargonium × domesticum
Growth Rate:Moderate
Native Range:South Africa
Hardiness Zones:9 to 12
Dangers:Poisonous
Soil Needs:Rich, loamy soil, well draining
Exposure:Full to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Leaf spot, gray mold, stem and root rot in wet conditions
Propagation:Cuttings, seeds, division
Fertilizer:Low requirements
Pests:Pest resistant, watch for aphids and whitefly when grown indoors
Blooming Period:Spring and summer
Pruning:Deadhead, prune to maintain shape
Water needs:Moderate, drought tolerant
Pelargonium × domesticum

6. Rocket Larkspur (Consolida ambigua)

Rocket Larkspur
Rocket Larkspur

The Rocket Larkspur is a fast-growing annual known for spectacular mauve displays. Each spear of flowers is two to three inches across and a foot tall, and ranges in color from pale white to vivid violet.

The blooms are great additions to dried flower arrangements, allowing them to shine long after the flower itself dies.

Botanical Name:Consolida ambigua
Growth Rate:Very fast
Native Range:Mediterranean
Hardiness Zones:1-10
Dangers:Poisonous
Soil Needs: All types, well draining
Exposure:Full sun to shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Stem rot in damp conditions
Propagation:Seed
Fertilizer:Once monthly until flowers appear
Pests:Pest resistant
Blooming Period:Summer
Pruning:Deadhead as desired
Water needs:Moderate
Rocket Larkspur

7. Roof Iris (Iris tectorum)

Roof Iris
Roof Iris

Also known as the Wall Iris or the Japanese Roof Iris, these surprising flowers will grow in an astonishing variety of locations. They were commonly planted in the thatch of rooftops in their native range as well as in Japan. The Roof Iris provides a pop of color anywhere from pond edges to rock gardens and more.

Botanical Name:Iris tectorum
Growth Rate:Fast
Native Range:Central and southwestern China, Myanmar
Hardiness Zones:4a to 9b
Dangers:Poisonous, can spread through garden
Soil Needs:Rich, loamy soil
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Viral infections
Propagation:Rhizome, division
Fertilizer:Amend soil with compost or other organic material prior to planting
Pests:Slugs
Blooming Period:Spring
Pruning:Deadhead as needed
Water needs:Moderate, drought tolerate, tolerant of damp conditions
Roof Iris

8. Rue (Ruta graveolens)

common rue
Common Rue

Rue is a herb with a long history as a medical plant, but it’s best used as a decorative feature. Its flowers are delicate golden blossoms that sprout in loose clusters, high above its gleaming blue-green leaves.

Despite being used as a medicinal herb and a seasoning, rue is actually quite toxic. The sap is highly irritating, so always wear gloves when tending to it.

Botanical Name:Ruta graveolens
Growth Rate:Medium
Native Range:Southern Europe and Balkans
Hardiness Zones:4a to 10b
Dangers:Extremely poisonous, contact with leaves causes irritation
Soil Needs: Southern Europe and the Balkans
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Disease resistant, some root rot in damp conditions
Propagation:Seed, division
Fertilizer:Balanced fertilizer seasonally
Pests:Pest resistant
Blooming Period:Summer to fall
Pruning:Prune to old wood in spring
Water needs:Moderate, drought resistant
Common Rue

9. Rosinweed sunflower (Helianthus silphioides)

Rosinweed sunflower
Rosinweed sunflower

Nothing says summer like sunflowers, and these American natives deliver. Rosinweed sunflowers are a classic round bloom with yellow rays around a purple heart. They can grow up to ten feet tall.

Individual plants usually need to be staked, lest their glorious blossoms drag the whole plant down.

Botanical Name:Helianthus silphioides
Growth Rate:Fast
Native Range:Southeastern and southcentral United States
Hardiness Zones:5 to 9
Dangers:None reported
Soil Needs:All types tolerate sand and clay.
Exposure:Full sun
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Disease resistant
Propagation:Seed, often self seeds
Fertilizer:Fertilize seasonally with slow release balanced fertilizer
Pests:Pest resistant
Blooming Period:Late summer to fall
Pruning:Deadhead as needed
Water needs:Low to moderate
Rosinweed sunflower

10. Redvein enkianthus (Enkianthus campanulatus)

Redvein enkianthus
Redvein Enkianthus

A close relative of blueberries, the Redvein enkianthus is a show stopper for most of the year. They grow lush bell-shaped flowers that range from pale cream to delicate pinks and mauve.

Once the flowers go however the real show begins – the whole shrub turns a rich scarlet with tones of orange, yellow, and violet.

Botanical Name:Enkianthus campanulatus
Growth Rate:Moderate
Native Range:Japan
Hardiness Zones:4a to 7b
Dangers:None recorded
Soil Needs: Rich loam, moist well-draining soils including clay
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Disease resistant
Propagation:Cuttings, seed
Fertilizer:Fertilize seasonally with a balanced fertilizer, mulch, and compost.
Pests:Pest resistant, some spider mites in dry weather
Blooming Period:Spring
Pruning:Prune to shape only after flowering
Water needs:Moderate
Redvein Enkianthus

11. Ragged Robin (Silene flos-cuculi)

Ragged Robin
Ragged Robin

Ragged Robin is a charming wildflower and a real personal favorite. They’re native to Ireland where they’re known as Lus síoda. There they grow in boggy marshes and wetlands and are loved by bees and butterflies.

Their flowers are almost star-like, a gorgeous fuchsia pink with ragged, uneven petals. Pop them in a soggy corner and marvel at all the beautiful visitors they attract.

Botanical Name:Silene flos-cuculi
Growth Rate:Moderate
Native Range:Europe, especially Great Britain and Ireland
Hardiness Zones:5 to 8
Dangers:Europe, especially Great Britain, and Ireland
Soil Needs:Moist to boggy soil, loam, clay
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Disease resistant
Propagation:Seasonally with balanced slow-release fertilizer
Fertilizer:Invasive in Northeastern North America
Pests:Pest resistant
Blooming Period:Spring to summer
Pruning:As desired for shape
Water needs:Moderate to high
Ragged Robin

12. Rodgersia (Rodgersia pinnata)

Rodgersia
Rodgersia

For wet, shaded areas of the garden, it’s hard to go past Rodgersia. This elegant shrub is a herbaceous perennial that reaches a height and breadth of around four feet (1.2m).

Flowers appear in delicate frothy clusters and range from pale cream to deep pinks. They make for a spectacular display when planted en mass or in groups, as their foliage turns a gorgeous rich bronze towards the end of summer.

Botanical Name:Rodgersia pinnata
Growth Rate:Moderate to slow
Native Range:Southwestern China
Hardiness Zones:5 to 7
Dangers:None recorded
Soil Needs:Well draining moist to boggy loamy soils
Exposure:Full sun to partial shade
Ease of Care:Easy
Diseases:Disease resistant
Propagation:Seed, division
Fertilizer:Low need
Pests:Largely pest resistant, some risk of slugs
Blooming Period:Late spring and early summer
Pruning:Cut back as leaves yellow in fall
Water needs:Moderate to high
Rodgersia

Final thoughts

Rich resplendent flowers reveal the radiance of the natural world. Not only are they ravishing in their beauty, but their very presence brings reward. Even practically-minded vegetable gardeners benefit from flowering plants, so it pays to remember the garden’s hardest workers!

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