Couldn't agree with you more on the impact of tulips. I bought an unknown variety on the clearance rack @ 90% off on December 1 2007, and they came up again this year. Both my DH and I looked at them and remarked how gorgeous they are- not JUST red, but a gorgeous huge bloom day-glow red. They're amazing!

As far as planting afterwards, I do the same as you're wanting to do: after the tulips are gone, I replace them with an annual. Being somewhat familiar with daylilies, I can tell you that you won't likely get 'all season' color unless you plant several varieties that bloom at different times. Early ones will usually be yellow and/or orange, as well as the 'late' ones. Stella d'Oro is a good performer and will be one of the first to show, and the last to leave during the season. There are dozens of reds & yellows to choose from- one of my favorite reds is "Jim's Song" which has a huge bloom, and is a mid-season bloomer. I also have Red Volunteer, which is a huge bloomer, but likely too tall for your space. If you venture over to the daylily forum, and do a search for "best reds" you'll see lots of threads. That is one forum where I think the post without a picture is a rarity.

At my place, I have grown fond of red Zinnias. Lemme see if I have a pic for you...yup, found one. See below. Now, this pic was taken EARLY, so the plants aren't as high as they were ultimately- which was about 3... 3 1/2 feet tall. There are many many varieties of zinnias with different heights. They may seem 'ordinary' but they are definitely performers in the garden, and are easy to grow & maintain, even from seed. In our zone, I just started planting mine (I do them winter-sowing style in milk jugs...another forum) this week, but I will probably direct-sow some, too. They are just too easy. Regular cutting keeps the show going, and your vases full.

Here's a few to check out:

Magellan Series- grows about 14" tall
Cut & Come Again- 24"
Starlight- this one I will highly recommend...Burpee has it. The colors on this one were nearly glowing in my yard- especially the orange and red. Blooms are large- 3" or more across as I recall, and the height is around 18" I believe.
Profusion Series- this one seems to be hit or miss, as some seem to have great luck with it, and others not so much. Personally, I grew it once with little success.
Pinwheel Series- see comments for Profusion, but to be fair, this is my own personal experience. YMMV.
Benary's Giants are about 3 feet tall...might be too tall for what you want
Dreamland Series- I grew these one year, and LOVED them. They have a fantastic red- Dreamland Red which is a nice slightly-darker-than-fire-engine-red. I got the seed at Swallowtail Gardens (dot com). I'd offer you some seed, but I inadvertently collected both the tall red and the Dreamland and didn't label the bags, so I might be giving you 3 footers, or the dreamlands. I have to grow them again to make sure I label them correctly this time ;)
Dreamlands were a nice 'edger' by the way...I think 8-10" or so.
Swizzle Red & Yellow (there's a Cherry & White one, too). This is a mixed red/yellow one, and is about 12" high. Pictures don't do it justice, as I found it to be quite pretty (if you're into the red/yellow combination, which I really do like).

Ok, I just realized I'm talking your ear off...sorry about that. I just happen to love zinnias, and find that they are very low-maintenance and reward you with a season full of lovely blooms.

Or you can do Marigolds...another one of the 'staples' in my garden, but I won't go into that discussion- LOL!

{{gwi:9192}}

These are wonderful recommendations! My vocabulary of annuals is limited, but Zinnias are definitely a candidate.

Now you got me thinking about the Bernary's Giant and wondering if I could keep these from fanning outward with flower pot stakes? Not sure if that would work, or if I'd need them that tall.

Dreamland red is nice too.

What is the darker red variety in your picture above? I love the contrast with the brigher green foliage below that. What a beautiful flower garden.

This bed was just all red zinnias, but I have to admit that like you, I was more drawn to the RED reds...those on the right are "Scarlet" and had an ever-so-slight orangey tone to them. If you planted them by themselves, you wouldn't notice it, but against a true red one, it definitely shows.

I believe the darker ones on the left are "Big Red" which I thought I got at Crosman Seeds, but that's where I got the scarlet ("Scarlet Flame" was the name).
Hold again...well, Park Seed has them, but I know I didn't get them there, since I've never ordered from them.
Hold again...nope, can't find it quickly, but I'm positive I've bought some this year locally. So you may be able to find them in your local stores. I have to go out at lunchtime, so I'll check to see what's around my area, and report back.

Hi Kim-
I found them over the weekend at Lowe's: They are "Red King" and I think they are Burpee Brand. Maybe Ferry Morse..I forget...but there's your answer for the 'Red Red' ones. Like I said, the Scarlet is just slightly orangey, so if you're looking for red, don't do Scarlet.