8 Kinds of RED Wildflowers in Colorado (w/Pics)
Did you find a RED wildflower in Colorado?
If so, I’m sure you’re wondering what type of wildflower you found! Luckily, you can use this guide to help you identify it. 🙂
Please be aware that I’m ONLY listing the most common red wildflowers today. There are so many species, varieties, and subspecies that it would be impossible to name them all. But if you want to dive even deeper into ALL the red wildflowers in Colorado, check out this field guide!
8 RED wildflowers in Colorado.
#1. Cardinal Flower
- Lobelia cardinalis
Also known as: Red Bay, Scarlet Lobelia, Indian Pink, Water Gladiole, Slinkweed, Bog Sage, Hog’s Physic
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 3.6-72 in (9-183 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
The blooms on this red wildflower in Colorado cluster on the end of a long stalk. The Cardinal Flower has dark green leaves with purple undersides.
If you’re especially fond of hummingbirds, you can use the Cardinal Flower to attract them to your neighborhood. While other insects might find it hard to reach the sweet nectar inside, the tubular flowers are perfect for the long beaks of hummingbirds.
Cardinal Flowers grow well in a garden setting. Plant it in an area with partial sun for a beautiful pop of red that will attract hummingbirds!
#2. Spotted Coralroot
- Corallorhiza maculata
Also known as: Summer Coralroot, Speckled Coral Root, Many-flowered Coral Root
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 3.9-31 in (10-79 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Early Summer
- Sun Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Shade
This red wildflower is commonly found in wooded areas in Colorado.
The most interesting feature of Spotted Coralroot is that it doesn’t have any leaves! Instead, the bare stalks produce clusters of flowers. Since this plant isn’t capable of photosynthesis, it siphons nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi, which is a natural fungus that occurs in its roots.
Mining bees are especially attracted to Spotted Coralroot. Although they pollinate this native orchid, it can also self-pollinate by transferring its pollen as its flower opens.
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RELATED: 31 Types of BUTTERFLIES in Colorado! (ID Guide)
#3. Prairie Smoke
- Geum triflorum
Also known as: Red Avens, Three-flowered Avens, Old Man’s Whiskers
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 6-18 in (15-46 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Mid Spring to Early Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Prairie Smoke is one of the most striking red wildflowers in Colorado.
Its green leaves turn red, purple, or orange in colder seasons. It produces bright red flower buds that droop from long stems during the spring.
However, the real show starts when the flowers start to seed. They open to reveal feathery, silvery-pink seed heads that unfurl into puffy clouds. It’s easy to mistake these wispy pink plumes for smoke, which is how they got their common name, Prairie Smoke.
#4. Trumpet Creeper
- Campsis radicans
Also known as: Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Climber, Hellvine, Devil’s Shoestring
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-10a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 29-40 ft (9-12 m) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Trumpet Vine is a perfect hummingbird flower (it’s even commonly referred to as “hummingbird vine”), as it features long, tubular, bright flowers with lots of nectar.
This reddish-orange wildflower is easy to grow in most of the country. And I do mean GROW. It has a reputation for growing like crazy, and I can second that with my first-hand experience. It needs to be trimmed regularly, or it will take over an entire area. The vine gets so big that many birds will even nest in its dense foliage!
#5. Scarlet Gilia
- Ipomopsis aggregata
Also known as: Scarlet Trumpet, Skyrocket
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
- Life Cycle: Biennial or Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-60 in (30-152 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Spring to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
The Scarlet Gilia is also called Skunk Flower for its potent putrid odor. However, that won’t stop long-tongued moths and hummingbirds from enjoying the sweet nectar inside the flowers.
The nickname “Skyrocket” is especially fitting for this red wildflower in Colorado.
Its pointed, long petals extend from a central flower and look like a vibrant firework!
#6. Wine Cup
- Callirhoe involucrata
Also known as: Purple Poppy Mallow
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8a
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 4-12 in (10-30 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Late Spring to Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
The Wine Cup is named for its vibrant chalice-shaped flowers. The blooms are magenta, with a white spot at the base of the five upturned petals.
You can plant the beautiful Wine Cup in hanging pots, garden walls, or open meadows to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The stems trail along the ground and spread to about three feet but won’t smother your other plants.
This drought-resistant red wildflower is found in open fields and clearings in Colorado.
#7. Blanket Flower
- Gaillardia pulchella
Also known as: Indian Blanket, Indian Blanketflower, Beach Blanket-flower, Firewheel, Sundance
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-11
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-24 in (30-61cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Summer to Early Fall
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Blanket Flower is a sunflower with an impressive display of red, orange, and yellow petals. Don’t be surprised if you spot many bees and birds where these flowers grow!
Many beekeepers use Blanket Flower in the production of honey. The honey made from this red wildflower is mild, buttery, and amber-colored.
Goldfinches enjoy the seeds of Blanket Flower, so don’t forget to leave some seedheads after the flowering season!
#8. Pinedrops
- Pterospora andromedea
Also known as: Giant Pinedrops, Woodland Pinedrops, Giant Bird’s Nest
Growing Information
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Approximate Mature Size: 12-79 in (30-201 cm) tall
- Bloom Time: Early Summer to Mid Summer
- Sun Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Pinedrops spend most of their life as a clump of fleshy roots underground. Without leaves, Pinedrops don’t need chlorophyll like other plants do. Instead, they are parasitic and steal nutrients from their host plants.
Sometimes, the roots of the Pinedrops will sprout tall, stiff, reddish-purple stems that will grow upright without branches. From these stems, you will see urn-shaped yellow, pink, or white flowers which face downward.
What are your FAVORITE red wildflowers in Colorado?
Let us know in the COMMENTS below!
