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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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Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain

Rhododendron Vireya ‘Red Mountain’ is a tropical shrub growing up to 1.5 metres tall with a compact, rounded growth habit. Known for its striking red flowers and glossy evergreen foliage, it adds exotic colour and texture to New Zealand gardens. Purchase nursery-grown, healthy Rhododendron Vireya ‘Red Mountain’ plants with fast nationwide delivery from The Plant Company.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, Tropical
A cluster of Hoya 'Red Buttons' purple and red flowers.

Hoya pubicalyx 'Red Button'

Hoya 'Red Button' is a popular variety of Hoya that is commonly grown as an indoor plant. It produces elongated, dark green leaves held on trailing stems. During summer, the plants will often produce showy clusters of waxy, purple flowers with a red centre. It typically grows to 20 cm tall and will trail to 50 cm or more. Hoya pubicalyx Red Button is commonly grown indoors in an office or the like, where a fresh, delightful, and elegant plant is required. It can also be grown outdoors in favourable environments.

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Tropical
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$29.63
leptospermum-red-falls--3
Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

From$26.93
Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.
Clivia miniata 'Red' (Natal Lily)

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The...

From$16.13
photinia-super-red--1
Photinia 'Super Red' (Red Robin)

Photinia 'Super Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its vibrant red new growth that contrasts beautifully with mature green foliage. This...

From$25.58
leucothoe-curly-red-2
Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, commonly known as Dog Hobble, is a beautiful shrub which is grown of its colourful and curly foliage. New foliage is...

From$25.58
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red' red flowers amidst dark purple foliage.
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Best Red’ is a standout crepe myrtle prized for its intense red summer flowers and strong upright tree form. Flowering through the...

From$358.98
hebe-red-edge-
Hebe 'Red Edge'

Hebe 'Red Edge' is a compact evergreen shrub known for its distinctive foliage with red tinged edges that intensify in cooler weather, adding year...

From$20.18
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$20.18
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$117.09
Imperata 'Red Baron' with colourful, red foliage
Imperata Red Baron

Imperata 'Red Baron', commonly known as Japanese Blood Grass, features leaves that are green at the base and become red further up the blade. Through...

From$18.83
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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$26.93
Escallonia 'Red Elf' red flowers and glossy, green foliage.
Escallonia 'Red Elf'

Escallonia 'Red Elf' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, green foliage and vibrant, red, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from late...

From$24.23
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a hardy, evergreen shrub prized in New Zealand gardens for its rich green foliage and striking clusters of deep red...

From$24.23
Hypoestes 'Splash Red' plant with colourful red folaige.
Hypoestes 'Splash Red'

Hypoestes 'Splash Red' is a vibrant foliage plant prized for its bright green leaves boldly splashed with deep red markings. This compact and...

From$25.58
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$25.58
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$26.93
persicaria-microcephala-red-dragon--2
Persicaria Red Dragon

The Persicaria Red Dragon plant, commonly known as Knotweed, is a small shrub grown for its beautiful foliage. It carries elongated leaves that are...

From$24.23
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$13.43
Hibiscus 'Red Knight' large and showy, red flower.
Hibiscus 'Red Knight'

Hibiscus 'Red Knight' is a striking flowering shrub prized for its large deep red blooms and lush glossy foliage. This tropical style hibiscus...

From$26.93
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$391.14
magnolia-red-as-red-2
Magnolia Red As Red (Red As Red Magnolia)

Magnolia Red as Red bears masses of large and showy, dark red flowers through late winter and early spring. The flowers are borne on the naked stems...

From$432.79
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Pelargonium Two in One Dark Red (Red Pelargonium)

Pelargonium Two In One Dark Red is a variety of Geranium grown for its clusters of dark red flowers. The showy flowers are borne through spring and...

From$21.53
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$26.93
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$28.28
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$26.93
Acer Autumn Red tree.
Acer Autumn Red (Acer rubrum Autumn Red)

Acer platanoides Autumn Red is a variety of the commonly known Plane-Laved Maple, and is a medium sized, deciduous tree with fantastically coloured...

From$391.14
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' plant in a pot with stunning red flowers and lush, purple-green foliage.
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red'

Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' is a bold and dramatic deciduous shrub admired for its deep red mophead flowers set against dark stems and rich green foliage...

From$26.93
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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$47.18
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Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red'

Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red' is a vibrant evergreen azalea admired for its rich red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The bold blooms sit...

From$26.93
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$28.28
Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Azalea, Buddleia, Callistemon, Camellia, Carex, Clivia, Coprosma, Escallonia, Grevillea, Hebe, Hibiscus, Hoya, Hydrangea, Hypoestes, Imperata, Lagerstroemia, Leptospermum, Leucothoe, Loropetalum, Magnolia, Pelargonium, Persicaria, Phormium, Photinia Pseudowintera and Rhododendron, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Azaleas, Evergreen Shrubs, Vireya Rhododendon, Deciduous Trees Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

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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.

It’s easy to fall for Aesculus Briotii and Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi), but Rosmarinus 'Blue Lagoon', Acer rubrum, and Viburnum burkwoodii (Burkwood Viburnum) offer a different kind of delight.
–The Plant Company

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