Color has an impact on our emotions. Red, the color of fire, is the symbol of energy, passion and joy. The phrase "paint the town red" is related to partying, celebration and excitement. In this article, we introduce five plants with red flowers that can brighten your day.

Scarlet Sage

Scarlet sage, which is native to Brazil, is a popular plant seen in gardens all over the world. Its tubular or bell-shaped flowers are vivid red; some cultivars have flowers of white or purple.

Scarlet sage is a subtropical plant; it needs warm soil to thrive. If you have a gloomy day, this beautiful plant with spikes of red blooms can definitely cheer you up.

Dahlia

Dahlia, which looks like a combination of chrysanthemum and daisy, is a genus of perennial plants native to Mexico. The plant produces flowers with bright colors. Most species of the plant grow in mountain ranges of Mexico. It's also the national flower of the country. The Aztec people used to eat dahlias. The hollow stem of the plant was used to store water. 

China Pink

The perennial plant is a species of Dianthus native to northern China, Mongolia, Korea, and southeastern Russia. The flowers are usually red, pink or white. It's commonly planted across temperate regions of the world for its ornamental value. The flowers are produced in clusters or singly.

Intensive planting of China pink is beneficial to the environment since it can absorb sulfur dioxide and chlorine gas.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis, which can bloom indoors during winter time, is native to the Western Cape region of South Africa. The plant has trumpet flowers which look like lilies. 

The eye-catching flowers come with many colors including white, red, and pink. It has a long-lasting blooming period, which is about seven weeks. 

Amaryllises are often visited by carpenter bees which are its main pollinators.

Flame of the woods

You can feel the passion of the plant just by hearing its name. Flame of the woods, also called jungle flame, is the national flower of Suriname. It's native to Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The large scarlet flowers are surrounded by green leaves. What a passionate look!

Flame of the woods likes warm and sunny weather. Plant it in a sunny spot and you will harvest a patch of brightness.

(Cover image via VCG)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)