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red climbing plants

Red climbing plants add instant drama and vibrant colour to New Zealand gardens, creating a lush backdrop or a show-stopping focal point for any outdoor space. Whether you're looking to cover a fence, trail up an archway, or soften the lines of a pergola, introducing plants with gorgeous red blooms or foliage is a proven way to elevate your garden design. Many red climbers thrive in our local conditions, attracting native birds and beneficial insects while providing a burst of year-round interest. This guide will help you discover some of the most stunning red climbing plant varieties, along with tips for choosing, planting, and caring for these passionate wonders.

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Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

5 from 2 customers

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and summer. This attractive manuka variety adds bold colour, texture, and movement to NZ gardens while providing year round evergreen structure.

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.

Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

5 from 1 customers

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering during the warmest months, it adds bold colour and structure to NZ gardens and landscapes. This variety is ideal for feature planting where strong visual impact is desired.

From $30.29

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
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Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring...

From$27.53
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
callistemon-red-alert-4
Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

From$27.53
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

From$16.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

From$27.53
grevillea-red-clusters-4
Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$24.95
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
A dense Escallonia 'Red Dream' shrub with lush green foliage.
Escallonia 'Red Dream'

Escallonia 'Red Dream' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This attractive variety...

From$16.95
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Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$39.95
acer-red-sunset-2
Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' red stems.
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red'

Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' is a popular heritage rhubarb variety prized for its vibrant red stalks and excellent flavour. This productive perennial performs...

From$17.95
Azalea 'Red Wings' stunning red flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

From$26.95
Moss pole for plants.
Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.90
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$34.95
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.
Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is...

From$344.95
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$27.53
salvia-red-2
Salvia 'Red'

Salvia 'Red' (Red Sage) is a vibrant perennial that produces brilliant red flower spikes above aromatic green foliage from late spring until autumn...

From$27.53
malus-red-jade-1
Malus 'Red Jade'

Malus 'Red Jade' is a graceful weeping crabapple tree admired for its cascading branches, masses of white spring blossom, colourful red ornamental...

From$387.55
Juncus effusus plants growing in water.
Juncus effusus (Soft Rush Plant)

Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) is an eye catching rush valued for its distinctive twisting green stems, compact clumping habit, and strong...

From$16.49
rhaphidophora-decursiva-
Rhaphidophora decursiva

Rhaphidophora decursiva (Dragon Tail Plant) is a striking tropical climber known for its large, deeply split leaves that become more dramatic as the...

From$44.09
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$34.43
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
Grapefruit 'Cutler's Red' orange fruit.
Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red'

Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red' produces good yields of large, deep orange, juicy fruit from winter through spring. The rind is thick but easily peeled. It...

From$369.95
Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Callistemon, Clianthus, and Escallonia, or related Categories - Flaxes, Evergreen Shrubs, and Deciduous Trees.

Search red climbing plants

Top Choices for Red Climbing Plants in NZ

If you're dreaming of a garden ablaze with cascading red flowers, several climbers are especially well-suited to Kiwi gardens. One standout is the beautiful Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood', prized for its trumpet-shaped, dazzling crimson blooms. This vigorous climber is perfect for training along trellises, over fences, or in a large pot with a sturdy support. It flowers from spring to autumn, thriving in full sun or part shade, and brings a tropical flair with minimal fuss. Regular feeding and watering will reward you with an abundance of striking red flowers season after season.

Another exceptional choice for plant lovers is the ever-versatile Hoya. Hoya pubicalyx 'Red Button' is often grown indoors, but in frost-free areas, its long, vining stems can be trained outdoors in sheltered spots. This variety produces unique clusters of star-shaped, deep red flowers and is well-known for its resilience and low maintenance needs.

Best Companion Plants for Red Climbers

To complement your collection of red climbing plants, consider pairing them with vivid statement foliage or shrubs for striking contrast. For bold architectural interest, Cordyline Red Star offers dramatic sword-like leaves in shades of burgundy and red. Planting these together creates a lush, textural garden with multiple layers of colour.

Nearby shrubs such as Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain can also add to your garden's red palette. Its stunning, showy red flowers make it an eye-catching addition under your climbers or as a background feature.

Tips for Growing and Using Red Climbing Plants

Red climbing plants are celebrated for their versatility and ability to create privacy, shade, or natural screening throughout your outdoor living areas. Position them where their colourful blooms will be in full view—over an archway, beside an entrance, or framing a view from your favourite seat in the garden. Most climbing varieties perform best in well-drained soil, with a supportive structure for stems to cling or twine around. Mulching, regular feeding, and occasional pruning help promote vigorous growth and long-lasting displays.

Don't overlook treelike climbers—while not vines, Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' is favoured for its outstanding scarlet flowers in summer. While technically a small tree, it can be pruned and trained to fit alongside climbers, adding a vertical accent of vivid colour.

With so many varieties available, red climbing plants offer endless inspiration for bold garden designs across New Zealand. Explore our expertly curated collection and transform your outdoor space with the excitement and warmth that only red can bring.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
It’s easy to fall for Stromanthe Triostar and Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', but Graptopetalum paraguayense, Cornus kousa 'China Girl', and Fuscospora solandri offer a different kind of delight.
–The Plant Company

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