Flowers That Start With The Letter 'R': 50 Beautiful Varieties to Admire (2024)

Even when considering a single letter of the alphabet, the world of plants is packed with astounding variety. Most gardeners will be familiar with a variety of popular flowers that start with the letter R, such as rhododendrons, roses, and red hot pokers. In this guide, we’ll help you uncover even more, with 50 stunning flowers starting with R.

50 Radiant Flowers That Start With The Letter ‘R’:

1) Ragged Robin

Ragged robin flowers are attractive herbaceous perennials from the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). These flowers that start with the letter R are easy to grow and thrive in USDA Zones 5 to 8. For optimal growth, look to plant in moist soils in a bright, open spot in your garden.

Ragged robin flowers have low-growing rosettes of grayish-green oblanceolate leaves. The leaves are covered in bristly hairs. What’s more, the pink flowers have five ragged-looking petals with deeply divided lobes.

2) Rain Lily

Rain lilies are a group of approximately 170 perennials from the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They produce clumps of slender strap-like leaves with large pink, white, or yellow flowers with six petals.

These low-growing flowers grow best in Zones 9 and 10. Rain lilies require full sun and thrive in fertile, well-draining soils that retain some moisture. Plus, these flowers also grow well in containers.

3) Rainbow Cactus

Rainbow cactus plants are native to parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States. These cacti have a compact barrel shape covered in pink spines. Rainbow cactus plants produce large pink flowers with white throats and yellow centers.

These cacti grow best in well-draining soils in Zones 9 to 11. In addition, you can also grow them as houseplants. Provide full sun to partial shade and warm temperatures above 70ºF for optimal growth.

4) Rainbow Rock Cress

If you’re looking for colorful ground cover plants, rainbow rock cress flowers are a wonderful choice. These low-growing herbaceous perennials thrive in Zones 4 to 9, making them ideal for containers or rock gardens.

Rainbow rock cress forms mats of grayish-green oval-shaped leaves. During spring and summer, these plants erupt with vibrant pinkish-purple flowers that have four petals streaked with veins. These plants also look great, spilling out of cracks in walls.

5) Rambler Rose

Rambler roses are scrambling upright rose shrubs that work well in garden borders. These beautiful roses thrive in Zones 5 to 9. However, rambler roses are listed as invasive in some parts of North America.

These rose shrubs have solid and prickly stems and long, pinnate leaves of up to nine leaflets. Rambler roses produce large, stunning clusters of pink or white flowers. The flowers have a subtle fragrance.

6) Ranunculus

Commonly known as Persian buttercups, ranunculus flowers are popular thanks to their colorful ruffled flowers. Cultivars with double flowers have several ranks of thin, papery petals. Ranunculus flowers also have hairy stems and deeply divided fern-like leaves.

These flowers that start with the letter R can produce up to 35 flowers throughout their long blooming season. These herbaceous perennials grow best in Zones 8 to 11. Ranunculus flowers work particularly well in pots.

7) Red Beauty Bergenia

The ‘Red Beauty’ bergenia is a popular cultivar of the heartleaf bergenia. As its name suggests, this cultivar produces gorgeous clusters of small reddish-pink flowers. These flowers emerge from red stems and rosettes of thick, leathery leaves.

I think these lovely bergenias work well in garden beds and borders in Zones 3 to 8. Plus, these evergreen perennials tolerate full sun or partial shade. Bergenias grow best in moist, well-draining soils.

8) Red Campion

Red campions are some of my favorite native British wildflowers. These herbaceous perennials grow in woodland habitats, making them ideal for shady borders. Red campions also work well in wildflower gardens in Zones 5 to 8.

Also known as red catchfly flowers, red campions have sticky stems covered in fine hairs. These campions also have hairy spoon-shaped leaves and produce small pinkish-red flowers with five petals that each have deep notches.

9) Red Clover

Red clovers are attractive herbaceous perennials with dense clusters of small nectar-rich reddish-pink flowers. As such, I like adding red clovers to my wildflower pots and borders to attract pollinators.

These perennials also have tall, hollow stems and trifoliate leaves with lance-shaped leaflets. Red clover grows best in Zones 5 to 9. However, these plants are listed as invasive in some parts of the United States.

10) Red Elderberry

Red elderberry shrubs are attractive plants from the moschatel family (Adoxaceae). These deciduous shrubs have pinnate leaves of five to seven lance-shaped leaflets with serrated margins.

Red elderberry shrubs also have cone-like panicles of white flowers followed by bright red berries. These berries are an essential food source for birds during fall and winter. As such, red elderberry shrubs work well as hedges in wildlife gardens.

11) Red Ginger

Also known as ostrich plumes, red ginger plants come from the tropical climes of Malaysia. As such, these herbaceous perennials will thrive in Zones 10 and 11. However, red ginger plants will struggle in cold temperatures and cannot tolerate frosts.

Red ginger plants have large, lush, oblong leaves with wavy edges. From summer until fall, the stems are topped with bright red plume-like bracts. The true white flowers emerge on top of these bracts.

12) Red Hot Poker

Red hot pokers are popular ornamental plants from South Africa. These vibrant perennials have spikes of tubular red or orange flowers, hence the common name. Red hot pokers also produce large clumps of long, strap-like leaves.

These flowers that start with the letter R grow well in containers or garden borders in Zones 5 to 9. These colorful plants are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun, making them ideal for dry gardens.

13) Red Osier Dogwood

Red osier dogwoods are deciduous perennials known for their dark red stems. These colorful stems are ideal for bringing some winter interest to gardens in Zones 3 to 8.

In addition to their colorful stems, red osier dogwoods also have attractive oblong to ovate leaves. These leaves change from dark green to reddish-purple in the fall. These dogwoods also have small clusters of white flowers during spring and summer.

14) Red Ribbons

Red ribbon flowers are attractive herbaceous annuals that are endemic to California. As annuals, these flowers can be grown in any garden in Zones 1 to 11. Red ribbon flowers work particularly well in containers or borders.

These annuals have upright stems and grayish-green lance-shaped leaves. Red ribbon plants produce reddish-pink flowers in spring and summer with four slender sepals. Each sepal has three lobes.

15) Red Valerian

Red valerian plants are beautiful herbaceous perennials from the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). These plants form clumps of woody stems with pairs of bluish-green lanceolate leaves. Red valerian plants also have dense clusters of reddish-pink or reddish-purple star-shaped flowers.

Thanks to its nectar-rich flowers, red valerian is great at attracting pollinators. As such, I love using these perennials in wildflower borders. These adaptable plants are also drought-tolerant and can survive in nutrient-poor soils.

16) Redbud

Redbuds are some of North America’s most beautiful native trees. These deciduous trees make excellent ornamental centerpieces in Zones 4 to 9. Redbuds thrive in full sun or partial shade and prefer moist, well-draining soils.

These fantastic trees have scaly reddish-brown bark with winding branches. These branches are covered in clusters of gorgeous rose-pink flowers in spring. The blooms are followed by papery heart-shaped leaves that turn yellow during the fall.

17) Redleaf Rose

Redleaf roses are attractive deciduous shrubs with beautiful leaves and flowers. These attractive shrubs have arching reddish-brown canes covered with pinnate bluish-green leaves divided into several elliptical leaflets. The leaves turn reddish-purple when grown in full sun and grayish-green when grown in the shade.

These lovely rose shrubs also have elegant star-shaped pink flowers with yellow stamens. Redleaf roses are hardy shrubs that grow best in borders or as hedges in Zones 2 to 8.

18) Red Tip Photinia

Red tip photinias are stunning evergreen shrubs from the rose family (Rosaceae). These shrubs are hybrids that combine Chinese photinias (Photinia serratifolia) and Japanese photinias (Photinia glabra). Red tip photinias grow best in Zones 7 to 9.

These flowers that start with the letter R have crimson elliptical leaves when young, hence their common name. As the leaves age, they gradually turn dark green. These shrubs have densely packed clusters of small white flowers in the spring.

19) Restharrow

Restharrow plants are herbaceous perennials from the legume family. These bushy plants have wiry, hairy stems and trifoliate leaves with oval-shaped leaflets. Restharrow plants also have pink or white pea-like flowers with wings and keels.

These adaptable plants can tolerate nutrient-poor soils and thrive in Zones 5 to 9. Restharrow plants grow best in full sun. As members of the pea family, these plants can also fix nitrogen in the soil.

20) Rhododendron

Rhododendrons are popular ornamental shrubs often grown for their beautiful flowers. Most rhododendrons are evergreen shrubs, although deciduous varieties are known as azaleas. Rhododendrons are low-maintenance shrubs that thrive in Zones 4 to 9 and also grow well in containers.

Rhododendrons have thick linear to lanceolate leaves arranged in spirals. From spring until fall, these shrubs produce dense clusters of colorful bell-shaped flowers. What’s also great is many rhododendron flowers also emit strong fragrances.

21) Rieger Begonia

Rieger begonias are gorgeous flowering begonias typically sold as houseplants. However, they can also be grown outdoors in Zones 10 and 11 or as annuals in colder areas. These begonias require partial shade and grow best in light, well-draining soils.

I love that these plants have waxy, dark green, oval-shaped leaves with toothed edges. When in bloom, these begonias have clusters of delicate pink flowers with yellow centers.

22) Robinia

Also known as locust flowers, robinias are deciduous shrubs or trees from the legume family. These stunning shrubs have beautiful hanging racemes of delicate pink or white pea-like flowers. Robinia shrubs also have attractive pinnate leaves divided into several oval-shaped leaflets.

These beautiful shrubs that start with R are native to the southern United States and thrive in Zones 4 to 9. Robinia flowers grow best in full sun and prefer well-draining soils.

23) Rock Cress

Rock cress flowers are colorful perennials from the mustard family (Brassicaceae). These low-growing flowers work well as ground cover plants in Zones 3 to 8. Rock cress flowers are also drought-tolerant, making them ideal for rock gardens.

These perennials have rosettes of small grayish-green oval-shaped leaves with toothed edges. Rock cress plants produce fragrant clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers in spring and summer.

24) Rock Orchid

Also known as cane orchids, rock orchids are elegant orchids that are native to eastern Australia. These orchids are also popular as ornamental plants in Zones 10 & 11 or as houseplants in colder areas. Rock orchids grow best in full sun or partial shade.

Rock orchids spread via pseudobulbs that produce several leathery, fleshy leaves. Rock orchids also have flower stems that bear white or yellow flowers with curved petals.

25) Rock Rose

Rock roses are colorful trailing plants ideal for rock gardens or as ground cover in garden borders. Rock roses are drought-tolerant plants that thrive in full sun in Zones 6 to 8.

These evergreen perennials form clumps of grayish-green elliptical leaves. During spring and summer, rock roses light up thanks to their bright yellow saucer-shaped flowers. Although each flower only lasts for one day, these plants produce several blooms in succession.

26) Rock Soapwort

Also known as tumbling Ted, rock soapwort is a low-growing perennial from the carnation family. These evergreen plants have woody stems and hairy ovate leaves. During the summer, rock soapwort plants produce stunning carpets of pink star-shaped flowers.

I like growing rock soapwort as a ground cover plant in garden borders or between paving stones. However, these hardy perennials also work well in rock gardens and grow best in Zones 2 to 9.

27) Rocket Larkspur

Few summer annuals have as much impact as rocket larkspur flowers. These tall annuals add color and height to garden beds and cottage gardens. Rocket larkspur grows best in sheltered spots that receive full sun.

Rocket larkspur comes from the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Interestingly, these annuals have deeply divided fern-like leaves that emerge on upright stems. During the summer, rocket larkspur erupts with large blue flowers.

28) Rockspray Cotoneaster

Rockspray cotoneaster is a short, sprawling shrub from the rose family. These deciduous shrubs are best used as short hedges or ground cover plants in Zones 5 to 7. Rockspray cotoneaster is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant shrub thrives in full sun or partial shade.

These low-growing shrubs have woody stems covered in tiny, glossy, dark green leaves arranged symmetrically. Plus, rockspray cotoneasters have tiny pink or white flowers that are followed by glossy, bright red berries.

29) Rocky Mountain Iris

Also known as western blue flag irises, Rocky Mountain irises are stunning North American irises. These irises have tall, upright stems that emerge from clumps of strap-like bluish-green leaves. When in bloom, these stems are topped with large bluish-purple flowers with dark purple veins and yellow markings.

I find that Rocky Mountain irises grow best in moist, well-draining soils in garden beds and borders. These beautiful irises thrive in full sun in Zones 3 to 9.

30) Roman Chamomile

Roman chamomile is one of my favorite garden herbs. I like planting these low-growing herbs between paving stones or garden beds in Zones 4 to 9. Dried Roman chamomile flowers can be used to make an excellent herbal tea.

These evergreen perennials create carpets of finely divided bipinnate leaves. These leaves emit a fresh, fruity fragrance when crushed. Plus, from summer until fall, Roman chamomile has white daisy-like flowers with yellow central florets.

31) Rondeletia

Rondeletia flowers are also known as Cleveland sunrise or Panama roses. These beautiful evergreen shrubs have leathery dark green oval-shaped leaves. Rondeletia shrubs produce clusters of small red flowers with yellow centers during the summer.

You’ll find these shrubs grow best in Zones 10 and 11 and require warm temperatures. Rondeletia shrubs can grow in full sun or partial shade and need moist, loamy soils.

32) Rose

Roses are some of the most famous flowers in the world. These breathtaking flowers have several meanings depending on the color. Most roses grow best in sheltered garden beds, borders, or containers in Zones 5 to 8.

These famous flowers that start with the letter R are woody deciduous shrubs with prickly stems and pinnate leaves that are divided into several ovate leaflets with serrated margins. Roses bloom from spring to fall, depending on the exact cultivar. Different roses can have single, double, or semi-double flowers with strong scents.

33) Rose Campion

Rose campions are attractive herbaceous perennial wildflowers that thrive in woodland habitats. As such, I like to grow rose campions in wildflower borders in shady gardens. These flowers thrive in Zones 4 to 10.

Rose campions have fuzzy grayish-green lanceolate to oblong leaves and stems. During the summer, magenta to dark pink flowers emerge at the ends of the stems.

34) Rose Mallow

Rose mallows are a gorgeous variety of hardy hibiscus that grow best in Zones 5 to 9. These popular ornamental shrubs are a great addition to garden borders but can also be grown in large pots.

These perennial hibiscus shrubs have woody stems and large cordate leaves with toothed edges. Plus, from summer until fall, rose mallows produce large pink or white flowers with dark red centers similar to hollyhocks.

35) Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon shrubs are popular ornamental plants with gorgeous hollyhock-like blooms. These stunning pink or white flowers only last for a single day but bloom in succession. As such, rose of Sharon shrubs are ideal for most gardens in Zones 5 to 8.

These hardy hibiscus shrubs have dark green palmate leaves that are divided into three lobes. Rose of Sharon shrubs are relatively drought-tolerant and work well in garden borders.

36) Rosebay Willowherb

Commonly known as fireweed, rosebay willowherb is a vigorous herbaceous perennial that self-seeds readily. As such, these flowers must be kept in check by regularly removing finished flower stems. Rosebay willowherb works best in pollinator gardens in Zones 2 to 7.

Rosebay willowherb has red upright stems with narrow, lanceolate leaves. During the summer, these perennials have terminal spikes of pinkish-purple flowers.

37) Rosemary

Thanks to its wonderfully aromatic leaves, Rosemary is one of my favorite kitchen garden herbs. Rosemary shrubs work brilliantly in Mediterranean gardens but can also be grown in containers in Zones 8 to 11.

These evergreen shrubs have woody stems covered with fragrant needle-like leaves. Rosemary bushes also have tiny light blue or white flowers. What’s more, these flowers can bloom throughout the year, depending on when the shrub is trimmed.

38) Rotala

Rotala plants are aquatic plants from the loosestrife family (Lythraceae). These attractive plants are commonly planted in aquariums. However, rotala flowers can also be planted in outdoor ponds in Zones 8 to 12.

These aquatic perennials grow in clumps of slender upright stems with rounded or lance-shaped leaves. Rotala plants have spikes of tiny light blue or pink flowers in spring and summer.

39) Round-leaved Sundew

Round-leaved sundews are fascinating perennial plants because they’re carnivores. These plants have rosettes of fleshy leaves covered in sticky hairs. These plants trap small insects before folding their leaves around their prey and digesting them using enzymes.

During the summer, these sundews also have tiny pink or white flowers. Round-leaved sundews thrive in moist soils, making them ideal for bog gardens or pond margins in Zones 3 to 8.

40) Roving Sailor

Commonly known as snapdragon vines, roving sailor flowers are herbaceous perennials from the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). These plants have climbing or scrambling stems with triangular leaves. Roving sailor plants also have pinkish-purple snapdragon-like flowers with white centers.

These plants that start with the letter R make excellent ground cover or climbing plants in Zones 8 to 10. To maximize their impact, train roving sailor flowers to climb trellises or fences.

41) Royal Poinciana

Royal poinciana trees are also known as flamboyant. This is apt because these attractive evergreen trees have large clusters of bright red flowers. Royal poinciana trees also have a spreading canopy of compound pinnate leaves divided into feathery leaflets.

These stunning ornamental trees thrive in warm, humid conditions. Royal poinciana trees work well in Mediterranean or tropical gardens in Zones 10 to 12. These trees are also fast-growing and drought-tolerant.

42) Rudbeckia

Commonly known as black-eyed Susan flowers, rudbeckias are some of North America’s most iconic native wildflowers. I love adding rudbeckias to my wildflower borders and containers. These cheery flowers thrive in well-draining soils in Zones 3 to 9.

Rudbeckias are herbaceous perennials with coarse, hairy leaves and upright stems. From summer until fall, these stems are topped with large bright yellow flowers with dark brown central florets.

43) Rue

For centuries, rue was a widely used culinary herb. Although rue isn’t really used in modern cooking, the flowers are still attractive. Rue is an excellent ornamental to add to kitchen or herb gardens in Zones 4 to 10.

These flowers that start with the letter R have finely divided bluish-green fern-like leaves with a strong aroma when crushed. Rue also has clusters of small yellow flowers. However, rue can cause skin irritation when handled, so always wear gloves.

44) Rue Anemone

Rue anemones are some of North America’s most beautiful woodland wildflowers. These tuberous perennials have reddish-brown stems and rosettes of dark green leaves split into trilobed leaflets. In spring, rue anemones have clusters of elegant pink or white flowers.

Rue anemones go dormant during the summer but are ideal for spring displays in garden beds and borders. In my experience, these perennials grow best in partial to full shade in Zones 4 to 8.

45) Ruellia

Although commonly known as wild petunias, ruellia flowers aren’t related to true petunias. These herbaceous perennials work well in garden beds or wildflower borders. Ruellia flowers can also be grown in containers in Zones 8 to 10.

Ruellia flowers have long lanceolate to linear purplish-green leaves. These perennials have loose clusters of star-shaped purple flowers throughout summer and fall. Each flower only lasts for one day.

46) Rugosa Rose

If you’re looking for a hardy ornamental shrub, you can’t go wrong with rugosa roses. These vigorous, drought-tolerant perennials are resistant to most diseases and thrive in Zones 2 to 7. However, rugosa roses spread quickly via suckers, so you’ll need to keep them in check.

These flowers that start with the letter R grow in thickets of pinnate leaves divided into five to nine oval-shaped leaflets. These roses also have tough, prickly stems and clusters of fragrant pink flowers.

47) Russian Almond

Russian almonds are attractive deciduous shrubs from the rose family. These compact shrubs work well as ornamental blossom trees in Zones 2 to 6. Russian almonds are fairly drought-tolerant and thrive in moist, well-draining soils.

Russian almonds grow approximately 5 feet tall and have leathery elliptical leaves. These shrubs produce clusters of gorgeous reddish-pink flowers during the spring. Plus, these plants also have hairy, almond-like edible fruits.

48) Russian Olive

Russian olives are elegant ornamental trees with clusters of fragrant yellow flowers. These deciduous shrubs also have attractive silvery branches and scaly bark. The stems are covered with smooth lanceolate leaves.

These adaptable trees are relatively drought-tolerant and can tolerate nutrient-poor soils. Russian olive trees grow best in full sun in Zones 2 to 7. This makes them versatile trees for garden borders.

49) Russian Sage

Russian sage is a popular member of the mint or sage family (Lamiaceae). These woody deciduous perennials are drought-tolerant and can tolerate salty conditions. As such, Russian sage is an excellent ornamental perennial for dry or Mediterranean gardens in Zones 4 to 9.

These perennials have several woody stems bearing grayish-green fern-like leaves. I love that their foliage releases a wonderful sage-like fragrance when crushed. From summer until fall, Russian sage also produces panicles of tiny bluish-purple flowers.

50) Rusty Foxglove

Rusty foxgloves are an underrated foxglove variety with tall stalks of gorgeous rusty-brown bell-shaped flowers. These biennial or perennial flowers also have rosettes of dark green oblong leaves. However, these leaves can cause allergic reactions, so always wear gloves when handling them.

I think these foxgloves are ideal for garden beds and borders, especially in cottage gardens. Rusty foxgloves grow best in full sun or partial shade and moist, well-draining soils in Zones 4 to 9.

Flowers That Start With The Letter ‘R’ FAQs

Wrapping Up

Some of the world’s most popular and famous flowers and plants start with the letter ‘R’. Most gardeners will have heard of or grown roses, rhododendrons, and rudbeckias. Personally, I also love red valerian and Rose of Sharon flowers. Both of these plants grow well in garden borders or containers in USDA Zones 5 to 8.

For more, see our in-depth guide to:

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