Want to grow a flower garden with a charming pink aesthetic? Discover effortless elegance with my top picks for low-maintenance pink flowers that thrive in sun, shade, and everything in between. Read on to see vibrant blooms from my garden together with pink flower names.
Forget fussy divas and temperamental prima donna flowers. Let’s paint your garden picture-perfect pink with blooms that are minimal drama but deliver maximum impact.
Sun loving or dappled shade, overflowing container, or petite border, I’ve got the low-maintenance, high-reward pink flowers that’ll add effortless beauty to your flower garden. Wait until you see how many beautiful pink flowers there are to add to your garden rooms and outdoor living spaces!
Oh, and I snuck in a few flowers that are a little more work than totally easy but are well worth growing in your pink garden too if you are up for it. They are noted in the post below.
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About Pink Flowers
Embracing a monochromatic flower bed with the vibrancy of a pink flowers aesthetic bursting with shades from fiery magenta to a light sweet blush is a sight to be seen. But beware of the pitfalls of uniformity. Because without strategic planning, your peonies, roses, and strawflowers might melt into a one-dimensional blur.
The key? Design a garden with diversity within your pink flowers palette. Stagger bloom times to create a floral ballet throughout the seasons, weaving in different blossom shapes and subtle variations in hue.
But don’t forget the texture! Mix perennials with annuals, tall foliage with groundcovers, for a layered wonderland that keeps the eye wandering.
Ready to dive into a pink flower garden? I’ve curated a collection of several types of pink flowers ranging from bright pink and fuchsia blooms, from peachy perfection to fiery coral, just waiting to grace your garden.
Designing a Garden with Pink Flowers So You Have Colorful Blooms All Season Long
If you long for a garden that has a range of hues from light to dark pink flowers all season long, you should plan your garden with blooms for spring, summer, and fall. Designing a flower garden that’s always in bloom is simple to do, but you’ve got to cover the basics so you find success growing these types of pink flowers.
Before planting a garden with a pink flowers aesthetic, you’ll need to know a few things about your garden first.
- Learn your hardiness zone so you know what is annual and perennial in your locality, as well as what plants can withstand your winter temperatures and growing climate.
- Understand what soil conditions you have. Is your soil acidic or more alkaline? Is it clay, loamy, or sandy? Is there too much nitrogen in the soil that can impact flowering? Do a soil test to see if your soil is lacking nutrients. Order a mini soil test kit like this one or get a full, comprehensive test done through your local cooperative extension.
- Know your light conditions. Is it full sun, part shade or full shade? Watch your garden for a full day and see how many hours of sun it gets. Full sun is 6-8 hours, part shade is 4-6, and full shade is less than four hours.
Take Notes
As you read through the following list of pink flowers names you can grow, take notes on the time of year things bloom. You’ll want to include at least three types of pink flowers that will bloom in each season that have different shades, textures, and sizes to add interest to your flower beds.
And don’t hesitate to add splashes of white for softness or vibrant orange to add a little more dimension to your flower garden. A monochromatic masterpiece lies in celebrating the nuanced spectrum of one single color.
And check out the end of this post for my short list of options to grow in each season!
The Best Pink Flowers for Effortless Beauty in Your Garden
While there’s a certain charm to cool, calming purples and blues, my heart sings for the playful vibrancy of pink flowers. Whether they’re soft whispers of blush or bursts of fuchsia fireworks, they add a charm and a bit romance to any garden space.
In my gardens, I love different types of pink flowers with my gorgeous green fence. The contrast during the growing season is really stunning!
While finding the perfect shade of blue flowers can be a little challenging, there is no shortage of pink flowers to grow because there are lots of plants to choose from. From delicate coral to rich magenta, the varieties you can grow are boundless.
And the best part? These beauties pair fabulously with blues and purples to create a gorgeous color palette in your garden that is calming, soothing, and serene.
These must-have pink blossoms will transform your garden into a pink-tastic paradise. And keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list. I could keep going but wanted to publish this blog post! LOL!
Peonies
Regal with ruffled petals and intoxicating fragrance, plant these beauties in full sun with well-draining soil in zones 3-8. They come in several different shades of pink fluffy flowers so you can easily find pink peony blooms that speak to you and your garden.
Stake tall varieties for extra support so the blooms don’t fall over. I like to use these grow through plant supports that I add when they are about a foot tall. Deadhead spent flowers and cut blooms to enjoy indoors so the plant stays light and more upright.
Because peonies don’t bloom for more than about a week, the key to extending their bloom time is to plant more than one variety and include tree peonies, and herbaceous, intersectional, and woodland varieties to get the greatest effect.
Before I knew we were moving, I planted several different peonies in the fall of 2020. I never really got to enjoy them though because they were just establishing themselves in 2021 with few blooms.
We do have some fuschia and blush pink flower peonies here, but not nearly as many as I had in my former garden, so I definitely want to plant more. Last year, I planted a few out in the formal garden, so hopefully, they return this year.
Pink peonies look so pretty when planted in a cottage garden among bearded iris, coneflowers, columbines, smoketree, monarda, dianthus, achillea, sedum autumn joy, and tall phlox.
Coneflowers
Tough, adaptable, and cheerful, coneflowers add prairie charm in zones 3-9. It’s a native plant that is tolerant of most soils, they’ll bloom all summer in the sun and attract butterflies.
Coneflowers are crazy easy to grow but can be susceptible to deer damage. Yes, they are on some deer-resistant plant lists, but I’ve found the foliage to be eaten in early spring in my New Jersey garden, so if deer are a problem in your area, spray that foliage with deer repellent and they’ll learn to stay away.
Last year, I planted Double Coded Raspberry Beret by Proven Winners and it is SO GORGEOUS. Look for it at your local garden nursery this year.
Roses
Are there really easy roses to grow? YES! So if you’ve felt intimidated to grow them, try easy-to grow, disease-resistant options like Knock Out Roses or Proven Winners Oso Easy Peasy® Rose that can be found in nurseries in 2024.
Pink roses are a sight to be seen! Full sun, regular fertilizing, and well-drained soil are key to success with growing roses in zones 5-9. This is the fertlizer that I use on my roses. It is organic and I have found encourages more prolific blooms from my plants.
I’ve been growing low-maintenance roses for several years now. I started with the Knockout Roses but there are now varieties that you don’t even need to deadhead like the Oso Easy Series from Proven Winners.
Whatever types of roses you choose to grow, some varieties are fussier than others, so choose roses that are labeled disease-resistant, easy to grow, etc. Shrub roses are much easier to grow than hybrid teas so make sure you do your research and read the plant identification tags for their care tips.
Roses are not deer resistant so they’ll need protection from wildlife. I use this deer repellent on all of my roses and other susceptible plants in my gardens throughout the growing season and it works extremely well.
As an aside, whenever I work with my roses, I use these long pruning gloves to keep my arms safe from the thorns.
Cosmos
Cheerful and easy-going, these airy beauties thrive in full sun and well-drained soil in zones 2-10. ‘Candy Stripe’ and ‘Pink Lemonade’ offer stunning pink flowers options. I love the double-click varieties and start all of my cosmos from seed.
Cosmos are super easy to grow and germinate well from seed. While you can start cosmos from seed indoors, I find it easier to direct sow them in my flower garden after all danger of frost has passed.
Lately, I’ve been into growing the Double Click varieties that have beautiful white and pink ruffle flowers.
Dianthus
Compact and a bit fragrant, dianthus (mountain pinks) adds pops of pink to borders in zones 3-9. They are low growing pink flowers that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
I grew dianthus for a few years in my former garden but had to rip them out when they were tangled up in a noxious, aggressive weed (dodder) that invaded my garden.
I recently planted more here in my new pollinator garden from Proven Winners called ‘Dianthus ‘Raspberry Ruffles’ and can’t wait to see how well they do this year.
Tulips
Spring wouldn’t be the same without tulips! Plant a rainbow of pink varieties like ‘Pink Perennial’ and ‘Angelique’ in full sun and well-drained soil in zones 3-7.
Tulips are easy to grow and one of the first flowers you’ll find in the spring garden. With so many pretty pink flowers available, there won’t be a shortage of tulips to choose from for your
Since moving here a few years ago, I’ve planted thousands of different varieties of pink flowering tulips here in the gardens. Because we get herds of deer, I’ve planted them in protected areas or spray them with deer repellent. And so far, I haven’t had any issues growing tulips with the amount of deer we get on the property.
Hyacinths
Fragrant gems in early spring, plant bulbs in fall for a fragrant welcome. Because they have a wonderful sweet aroma, plant them in an area where you’ll get to enjoy it. Sun to partial sun and well-drained soil are their preference in zones 4-8.
Hyacinths are easy to grow but be careful when handling the bulbs. This was my first year planting hyacinth bulbs. I wasn’t wearing gloves moving that bags around, touched my neck, and immediately broke out in a rash. A quick jump in the shower quelled the itch, but I will not make that mistake again.
Poppy (Zones 2-11)
Bold and showy, poppies make a statement in full sun and well-drained soil in zones 2-11. ‘Shirley Poppy’ offers classic pink charm.
If you love pink flowers, there is a poppy for you to grow. I’ve got the most experience growing oriental and Iceland poppies, but am sowing breadseed and California poppies this winter to see how they do in my gardens.
Achillea
Achillea (yarrow) is a pink perennial flower plant that can provide months of rosy-pink blooms from summer to fall in zones 3-9. It needs full sun and well-drained soil for these low-maintenance beauties to thrive.
While you can find yarrow in a few different colors, I love the pink varieties because they look great in the garden but even more amazing in bouquets as a filler flower with dahlias, snapdragons, and zinnias.
Their flower heads are made up of small pink flowers that add lots of color and textures to borders, container gardens, and bouquets.
Dahlias
Late-summer stars in the flower garden, you can find dahlias in several shades of pink. Dahlias require full sun and rich soil in zones 7-10.
To many gardeners, they are considered not so easy to grow but I’m here to tell you that they are when you meet their growing needs. Some varieties are a bit fussier than others, but once you get a handle on growing them, they are not as difficult to grow as many believe.
Cafe Au Lait, Penhill Watermelon, Jowey Winnie, Labyrinth, and Kogane Fubuki are just a few of the many varieties that offer different types of pink flowers that are sure to impress in both your cut flower garden and arrangements. They are each tall pink flowers that will need additional support so the heavy blooms don’t topple over.
Since dahlias are tender bulbs, they require more work from the gardener to grow them. However, they are pretty straightforward to grow if you give them what they need, deadhead, and support the blooms.
Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers to grow, and it’s a garden favorite that I’ll include for years to come. If you are just starting to grow flowers, hold off growing them until you gain some experience and success in your flower garden.
Sedum Autumn Joy
Pops of chartreuse and then pink in the summer that transitions in fall to a deep dark pink flower. Um…yes!
Sedum Autumn Joy needs full sun and well-drained soil in zones 3-9 to thrive but they are super easy to grow.
They add a lot of texture and dimension to pink gardens as the flowers transition in color. The pretty pink flowers look incredible in the garden as well as a bouquet, and it’s a must-have in any low-maintenance flower garden. Deer tend to browse so protect plants from damage.
Coreopsis
Sunny and cheerful, coreopsis brings a touch of sunshine to any border with its daisy-like blooms. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil in zones 4-9 for lots of beautiful blooms.
I’m growing ‘Lil Bang’ and its super fun to grow because the flowers change from pink with white details to white with pink details. Isn’t that so cool?
Coreopsis (tickseed) is a native plant making it super low-maintenance to grow while attracting lots of pollinators to boot!
Hardy Hibiscus
Show-stopping blooms in late summer, they require full sun, well-draining soil, and regular watering in zones 5-9. Summerific ‘Berry Awesome’ and ‘Candy Crush’ by Proven Winners offer stunning big pink flowers that are hard to beat.
I grew a few in my former garden but I lacked the growing space for these beautiful pink flowers. But here? I’ve got an entire border of these pink perennials that steal the show in late summer. The blooms are huge attracting hummingbirds and bees all summer long.
Proven Winners has several Summerific Hibiscus varieties you should check out in several shades of pink you should check out here.
Snapdragons
These playful blooms add a touch of whimsy to sunny borders in zones 7-10. Snapdragons have charming “dragon mouth” shaped blooms come in a range of pinks, like ‘Madame Butterfly Bronze with Pink’, ‘Potomac Cherry Rose’ ‘Madame Butterfly Pink’ and ‘Madame Butterfly Cherry Bronze’.
Snapdragons are easy to grow and thrive in full sun in moist but well-drained soil. They look beautiful in a cut flower or cottage garden and are beyond gorgeous in bouquets.
While you can find snapdragons in a variety of colors, the pink flower varieties are my favorites to grow because there is such a range in hues.
You can find some snapdragon varieties at your local nursery, but the best way to grow them is to start them from seed indoors. You can start snapdragon seeds indoors or winter sow them for season long blooms.
Larkspur
Tall and graceful, larkspur adds an airy elegance to cottage gardens in zones 3-8. I’ve never seen them at the local garden nurseries that I frequent, so for me, the only way to grow them is from seed. I started them indoors for few years but switched to winter sowing and found they do best that way here in my Zone 6b garden.
Larkspur is a deer resistant plant that needs support in the garden so the blooms don’t topple over after a storm or strong winds. Choose ‘QIS Carmine’ or ‘QIS Light Pink’ for stunning shades of tall pink flowers.
Larkspur should be grown in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. In my gardens, I see the most blooms from spring into summer before the plant peters out.
Japanese Anemone
Delicate and charming, japanese anemones bring a late summer magic to a flower garden in zones 5-8. Sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil are ideal for this pollinator magnet perennial.
These pretty pink japanese flowers are deer resistant and grow tall so plant them in the back of the border.
I had a gorgeous Japanese anemone in my former garden that a local gardening friend gave me. It was super easy to grow and I regret not dividing off a piece before we moved!
Bee Balm (Monarda)
A magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds, bee balm (monarda) fills sunny borders with fragrant purple pink flowers in zones 4-8. ‘Rose Delight’ or ‘Raspberry Sorbet’ will attract pollinators and add a delightful scent to your garden. Full sun and moist, well-drained soil are a must to grow monarda.
These pretty pink flowers that lean towards a fuschia hue grow fairly tall but don’t need staking. Plant them in the back of the border in large groupings so hummingbirds can spot the blooms from above.
Bee Balm is deer resistant and looks amazing with blazing star, coneflowers, black-eyed susans, Joe pye weed, and globe thistle.
Celosia
These quirky beauties add a unique texture and vibrancy to sunny spots and make great filler flowers for arrangements. ‘Flamingo Feathers’ offers a fiery magenta, while ‘Pink Castle’ provides a softer blush. Celosia needs full sun in moist, well-drained soil to thrive in zones 7-10.
You can find celosia at your local garden nursery but will find so many more beautiful options if you start them from seed. While celosia is an annual flower in my hardiness zone, they self seed with ease in my garden and return yearly with no intervention from me.
Celosia add a ton of texture, dimension and bright colors to the flower garden in late summer into fall. Taller varieties will need support to keep the blooms upright.
Elderberry
Beyond delicious berries, elderberry offers fragrant clusters of pale pink blooms in spring zones 3-8. ‘Sambucus nigra’ attracts pollinators and thrives in full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil.
I always wanted to grow elderberry but couldn’t in my former garden because I lacked the growing space for it.
When our first spring arrived here after moving in, I was thrilled to see this shrub with pink flowers leaf out in the zen garden. You can’t beat that lacy dark foliage and fragrant pink flowers. It is a must-have if you can spare some room and want to add texture to your garden.
Ninebark
This versatile shrub boasts peeling bark and showy clusters of pink flowers in spring. ‘Diablo’ offers contrasting dark leaves, while ‘Vicar’s Lace’ is a delicate charmer. It looks amazing planted next to limelight hydrangea or a viburnum.
Ninebark prefers full sun or partial shade thrives in moist, well-drained soil in zones 4-8. This shrub with pink flowers has a graceful arching habit so make sure you give it room to grow. It looks gorgeous in the garden and the foliage makes great filler for bouquets.
Not to mention the fall color you’ll see before the season comes to a close. Much like elderberry, if you have the room, plant ninebark.
Hydrangeas
Renowned for their showy blooms, hydrangeas offer pink options for sun to part shade depending on their variety in zoned 3-9. Some soil conditions can pink up your macrophylla hydrangeas to have pink flowers over blue.
My soil is too acidic to produce pink flowers so my hydrangeas look more blue than pink. However, I do have a beautiful lacecap hydrangea that shows a little of both that I love and ties the pink, purple, and blue shades together.
Bearded Iris
Majestic and regal, these beauties flaunt ruffled petals in soft and vibrant pinks like ‘Cherry Berry’, Angel’s Rest’, and ‘Pink Champagne’. Full sun and well-drained soil keep them happy and thriving in zones 3-9.
Make sure they are not too deeply planted so bloom as bearded irises do not love to be too deeply planted or overmulched. While the blooms don’t last long, you can plant different varieties or reblooming varieties for an extended bloom season.
Tall Phlox
Fragrant towers of pink delight, phlox adds romantic and cottage charm to sunny borders. ‘David’ and ‘Atropurpurea’ offer long-lasting blooms and attract butterflies in zones 4-8.
In my former garden, my tall phlox used to struggle with powdery mildew in mid-July. I used to spray it with neem oil in early July to help keep it under control and found that my plant looked better and bloomed well into fall as a result.
Penstemon
Penstemon is a native plant that is crazy easy to to grow. If you live in an area where deer are an issue, they will need protection from browsing.
Tough and adaptable, penstemon adds cheerful pops of pink with varieties like ‘Husky Rose’ and ‘Ruby Bells’. It needs full sun and well-drained soil to thrive in zones 4-9.
Petunia
Petunias are a classic choice for summer flowering annuals in zones 3-10. There are so many different varieties that come in a wide range of colors and are well-known for their long-lasting blooms.
Petunias come in pretty shades of pink flowers. I love Proven Winners Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, Supertunia Vista Fuschia, and Supertunia Vista Jazzberry.
When caring for petunias, grow them in full sun and well-draining soil. Keep them well fertilized and they will produce gorgeous pink flowers all season long. When they get leggy, cut them back to keep the blooms compact and tight.
Pansies
Cool-weather charmers, pansies add cheerful pink faces to beds and containers. Pansy flowers, perform best during the cool days of spring and fall when the temperature is about 40° F at night to 60° F during the day in zones 3-10.
Pansies are grown as a cool season annual. So they are generally planted in the fall or early spring for their beautiful blooms during the cooler months.
There are lots of pansies that come in pink flowers like ‘Crystal Bowl Pink’ and ‘Moonlight Sonata’. These flowering annuals thrive in sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. If you garden where deer are an issue, pansies flowers will need protection.
Lobelia
A delicate cascade of small pink flowers, lobelia thrives in containers, hanging baskets, and borders in zones 3-10. While you can find lots of different lobelia plants, you can find pink flower varieties like ‘Crystal Palace Compacta’ and ‘Rosebud’. Lobelia prefers full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.
Lantana
Lantana is a resilient flowering annual that blooms best in hot, sunny conditions. Its clusters of small flowers come in a range of colors, including shades of orange, pink, and purple in zones 7-10.
Last year, I grew Luscious Royale Cosmo from Proven Winners and it was real stunner all season long with it’s bright yellow to orange and pink flowers.
Lantana attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to your garden. It does well when planted in full sun and well-draining soil. Lantana also works well in both garden beds, container gardens, window boxes, and hanging baskets.
Scaveola
A charming spiller for hanging baskets, window boxes, container gardens, and borders, scaveola offers delicate pink fan-shaped blooms like ‘Pink Champagne’. Full sun and well-drained soil are its preference in zones 7-10.
I’ve found scaveola to be very resilient as it lets you know when it’s thirsty, particularly in the summer heat. But don’t ignore the signs! If you see it getting droopy, water them immediately.
Angelonia
Angelonia offers long-blooming spikes of pink perfection like ‘Lavender Pink’ and ‘Pink Charm. Full sun and moist, well-drained soil are necessary for thriving blooms in zones 5-10. Keep them hydrated and fed and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful pink flowers all season long.
Last year, I had them planted both in containers, hanging baskets, in my cottage garden by the pool. I grew a few different varieties but loved Proven Winners Perfectly Pink.
Mandevilla Vine
This sun-loving charmer adorns fences and trellises with cascading trumpets of vibrant pink like ‘Sundown’ and ‘Crimson Star’. Full sun and moist well-drained soil is key for success with mandevilla vines in zones 9-11.
Since I garden in zone 6b, I can only grow them in a container. I haven’t grown mandevilla vines in a few years as there were other flowering vines that performed better for me in my gardens. Overall it’s easy to grow, but just wasn’t the plant for me.
Strawflowers
These papery beauties extend summer’s blush into fall with blooms like ‘Apricot Peach Mix’ and ‘Raspberry Rose’. Full sun and well-drained soil are ideal for them to grow and bloom profusely all season long in zones 3-9.
I start mine from seed every year for my cut flower garden and they couldn’t be easier to germinate and grow! Cut and dry their blooms for everlasting pink flowers. And remember, the more you cut the more they’ll bloom!
Chrysanthemums
Fall’s crowning jewels, chrysanthemums offer a kaleidoscope of pink flowers like ‘Pink Champagne’ and ‘Raspberry Wine’. Full sun and well-drained soil best for garden mums in zones 5-9.
Pro-Tip: Don’t buy them too early in the season, they do not love summer heat. Wait until temperatures cool down so the plant is easier to care for.
Weigela
This versatile shrub boasts cascading clusters of soft pink bells like ‘Florida Pink’ and ‘Minuet’ that are a hummingbird magnet! Full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil are their preference in zones 4-8.
I have been growing ‘Wine and Roses’ and love the dark foliage with the fuschia colored blooms. Weigelas are easy to grow, have a higher rating of deer resistance, and have the most graceful branching habit.
In my former home, I grew a variegated variety with pink flowers. It’s a beautiful medium sized shrub that needs minimal pruning.
Abelia
A compact charmer, abelia offers graceful arching branches adorned with delicate pink blooms like ‘Rosebud’ and ‘Pink Charm’. It smells amazing and looks gorgeous well into fall. Abelia nees full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil for the most prolific blooms in zones 6-9.
I planted a few abelias in my former garden on the east side of our home and it did not get enough sun there to product a lot pink flowers. But here? We have a few gorgeous abelias just off the front porch that are STUNNING every year. Butterlies love it and it’s a must-have easy-care shrub with pink flowers.
Butterfly Bush
A magnet for pollinators, butterfly bush erupts in clouds of fragrant pink flowers like ‘Pink Delight’ and ‘Buddleia Davidii’. Butterfly bush loves full sun and well-drained soil for the best blooms in zoned 5-9.
I’ve been growing several different varieties of butterfly bush for as long as I’ve been growing a flower garden. They are fast, easy growers that are deer-resistant and look gorgeous in the garden.
Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa)
These playful pom-poms of soft pink, like ‘Butterfly Blue’ and ‘Black Knight’, add textural delight to sunny borders in zones 3-8. I grew a few varieties of scabiosa way back when but they didn’t take well in my former garden. I bought seeds however this year to see how they do and plan to start them soon!
Foxgloves
Spikes of delicate bells like ‘Apricot Cream’ and ‘Rosea Excelsior’ rise majestically in sun to partial shade and prefer moist, well draining soil in zones 4-8.
I’ve bought full grown digitalis before and they’ve done well for a season to never be seen again. Last year, I started them from seed, they bloomed like crazy and I’m hopeful they took for repeat blooms in future growing seasons.
Columbine
Dancing ballerina-like blooms in shades like ‘Pink Champagne’ and ‘Raspberry Sherbet’ grace cottage gardens with charm in zones 3-8.
I love growing columbine flowers because they are effortless to grow in my zone 6b garden. But I’ve heard from gardeners in other localities that they find them to be aggressive self-seeders.
I haven’t found that to be the case in my own gardens. But I would ask your local cooperative extension how they perform in your locality before growing them.
Columbines are deer-resistant, bloom in the summer, and to me, are crazy simple to grow.
Sweet Peas
Cascading tendrils of ‘Streamers Chocolate’ and ‘Painted Lady’ fill the air with sweet perfume in full sun and cool weather in zones 2-7. Give them a strong structure to grow up and you’ll have spectactular bouquets of really fragrant flowers daily.
When I first started growing sweet peas, I started them indoors under grow lights. But I found much greater success with them using the winter sowing method instead. It’s a lot easier to start them this way and less work for you acclimating them to life outdoors.
Rabbits, groundhogs, and deer will nibble, so they’ll need protection from wildlife.
Geraniums
Geraniums are beloved for their vibrant flowers and distinctive foliage. These versatile annuals come in a wide range of colors, including shades of red, pink, white, and purple, allowing you to create captivating color schemes in your garden in zones 3-9.
These versatile pink flowers like ‘Rose Blossom’ and ‘Pink Flair’ offer continuous waves of fragrance in containers or borders all season long. I’ve been growing geraniums for most of my gardening life and can’t get enough of them.
They are super easy to overwinter too. While there’s a few ways to do it, I prefer to repot them all into 1-2 containers, water them well, then bring them indoors in my family room. They don’t look amazing all winter long, but they perk up after fertilizng them in February when they’ll start to produce fresh foliage and eventually bloom in May.
Geraniums are also valued for their aromatic leaves, which emit a pleasant fragrance when touched. They are low-maintenance and thrive in sunny locations with well-draining soil, making them ideal for garden beds, borders, or containers.
Verbena
Trailing clouds of ‘Pink Passion’ and ‘Lollipop’ offer a sweet nectar buffet for pollinators in full sun and well-drained soil in zones 4-10. Last year, I had the pleasure of growing Proven Winner Verbena Pink Cashmere which is a new introduction for 2024.
It bloomed unbelievably well, has the prettiest shade of light pink flowers, and is a must-have in flower garden this year! I will definately be growing that verbena variety again in 2024.
Clematis (Zones 4-8)
Romantic cascades of ‘The President’ and ‘Mrs. N.C. Clematis’ adorn trellises and fences in preferring full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil in zones 4-8.
I grew Jackmanii clematis for years (a purple flower variety) that I grew up my mailbox, but recently fell in love with Josephine and planted her in a few of the cottage gardens here up my green garden fence and arbors.
I also have have Giselle planted at the front entrance to the potager garden and so far so good, she’s doing really well as I planted her in the spring of 2023.
Clematis Pro Tip: You don’t have to always grow clematis up a structure because you can also plant them at the base of a shrub and allow them to vine up and mingle with their branches and blooms.
Honeysuckle
Fragrant twining tendrils of Lonicera ‘Pink Lemonade’ and ‘Carolina Jasmine’ attract hummingbirds and add a delicate sweetness to your garden in full sun to partial shade in zones 4-9.
I’m blessed with a few well-established honeysuckle vines here. They smell unbelievably fragrant and the hummingbirds do love them!
We have a few growing up the arbor gate in the potager and zen garden, but I’ve also got one that is interwined with a ninebark shrub and it’s so pretty seeing the blooms intermix together.
Some varieties are invasive so know before you grow! If they are native to Asia or Russia, avoid planting them.
Gomphrena
Gomphrena, known as globe amaranth, is a charming and hardy annual flower that thrives in the heat of summer. Its unique globe-shaped blooms come in a variety of colors, including vibrant shades of purple, red, white, and pink flowers.
Gomphrena’s compact growth habit and long-lasting blooms make it a great choice for borders, containers, or cut flower arrangements. This resilient annual can withstand high temperatures and dry conditions, making it a true gem in the summer garden.
Last year, I grew ‘Truffula Pink’ by Proven Winners for the first time and fell in love. I am obsessed with this super easy care flowering annual. It performed really well here, the butterflies love it, and I am planning to fill my garden with it again this year.
Because I loved it so much, I bought a few packets of seeds to start this year and hope to be growing several varieties this spring.
Hollyhock
Towering giants of the garden, hollyhocks offer majestic spikes of ruffled blooms in various pinks like ‘Strawberry Candy’ and ‘Rosea Sinensis’. Full sun and well-drained soil are their happy place in zones 3-8, but stake tall varieties for reliable support and enjoy their enchanting show all summer long.
I have not had the best luck growing hollyhock as I tried growing them a few times in my former garden. This year, I’m starting some from seed and hope to find greater success here in my new gardens.
Lupines
Sun-drenched meadows and cottage borders rejoice, for lupines bring a regal touch with their towering spikes of vibrant blooms. These beauties, like the soft rose of ‘Gallery Pink’ or the fiery blush of ‘Tequila Flame’, prefer well-drained soil and flourish in zones 4-8.
While they may steal the show with their majestic stature, lupines are surprisingly resilient, tolerating some shade and rewarding you with blooms for years. Just remember, their deep taproots crave space, so give them room to spread their wings and paint your garden with splashes of pink royalty.
I grew lupines in my former garden but have not planted them here yet.
Cleome
Let’s not forget the quirky charm of Cleome, also known as Spider Flower. It offers a unique touch of whimsy to sunny gardens with its delicate, spider-like blooms and airy foliage. Cleome prefers full sun and well draining soil for prolific blooms.
It is deer resistant, self-sows with ease, and has pretty pink flowers that dance will dance in a slow breeze.
Zinnias
Zinnias are a popular choice for gardeners seeking vibrant and long-lasting summer flowers. These cheerful blooms come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, purple, and pink. flowers.
Zinnias are easy to grow from seeds and require minimal care once established. They are loved by butterflies and make a great cut flower for bouquets.
While I love lots of zinnias, I am particularly fond of Benary’s Giant Wine and Uproar Rose for their gorgeous pink flowers.
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa (Superbells), with their bell-shaped flowers, are a charming addition to any garden. These annuals are excellent trailing plants, perfect for hanging baskets or cascading over garden edges. Their profusion of blooms will keep your garden vibrant and colorful throughout the growing season. when maintained in part to full sun and moist, well-draining soil.
Last year, I grew a few types of pink flowers that were new-to-me from Proven Winners and they bloomed beautifully all season long. Here is what I grew:
- Superbells Prism Pink Lemonade
- Superbells Double Smitten Pink
Begonias
Versatile bloomers in a rainbow of colors, ‘Double Delight Blush Rose’ and ‘Double Delight Appleblossom’ by Proven Winners offer stunning pink options. Shade and moist, well-drained soil are their happy place in zones 3-10.
Last year, I grew both and loved the color palette in my backyard zen garden. If you want to plant Pantone’s color of the year, Peach Fuzz, these pink flowers are must-haves.
Impatiens
Impatiens are the very first flower that I grew with success and have grown them ever since. Shade-loving charmers, they thrive in cool, moist conditions and bloom prolifically from spring to frost in zones 3-11. I love ‘Rockapulco Tropical Shades’ because it will brighten shady corners.
Whatever variety you grow, keep them well fed during the growing season and protect them from deer damage because they will devour them overnight if given the chance.
Bleeding Hearts
Delicate and romantic, bleeding hearts offer whimsical charm to shady borders with their heart-shaped blooms. Moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade are ideal in zones 3-8.
Dicentra is also deer resistant so it’s a great flowering perennial to include if they are a problem in your garden. Plant it in the back of the border behind other perennials and annuals so they can conceal the dieback foliage in summer.
I’ve been growing bleeding hearts since I first started flower gardening. They look really pretty planted in my zen garden among hellebores and virginia bluebells.
Fuschia
In my growing zone, I can only grow fuschia as a flowering annual. But it is a gorgeous flower that hummingbirds love! Cascading elegance, fuchsias require partial shade and rich, moist soil. ‘Swingtime’ and ‘Mrs. Popple’ offer vibrant pink options.
Astilbe
Fern-like foliage with feathery pink flowers, Astilbes thrive in partial shade to full shade and moist but well-draining soil in zones 4-8. ‘Pink Diamond’ and ‘Grandiflora’ are stunning choices.
I’ve been growing astilbles in my zone 6b gardens since I first started flower gardening and they are so easy to grow, the deer leave them alone, and they brighten up shady spots.
Lenten Rose (Hellebore)
These early bloomers defy winter’s chill with delicate rose-kissed flowers. ‘Apple Blossom’ and ‘Pink Frost’ add cheer to shady borders in zones 4-9. Shade to partial shade, rich soil and good drainage are key for their success in zones 4-9.
I did not grow them in my former garden because I didn’t have the shade for them, but here? They are one of my favorite pink perennials to grow! Deer completely leave them alone, they bloom long, and are an asset to any flower garden.
Rhododendron
Evergreens crowned with pink flowers, rhododendrons add year-round drama to shady gardens. ‘Roseum Elegans’ and ‘Catawbiense Album’ bring vibrant pops of color in zones 5-8. Well-drained, acidic soil is essential for their success in zones 5-8.
We didn’t have a whole lot of shade in my former garden, so I only grew one rhododonderon. But here? I’ve got several and they have the most beautiful pink flowers I have ever seen! The plant is beyond striking in spring.
If you grow them where deer are an issue, they will need protection all year round.
Mountain Laurel
A stunning native shrub, mountain laurel boasts clusters of soft pink bells in spring. ‘Catawba’ and ‘Pink Shell’ thrive in partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil in zones 5-8.
I’m new to growing them as I didn’t have a shady spot for it in my former garden, but I have one here in the zen garden and it is beyond beautiful when it blooms!
If you grow mountain laurel in a locality where deer are an issue, these will need protection from damage all year round.
Azalea
While azaleas come in a variety of colors, you can’t beat the types with pink flowers like ‘Pink Lace’ and ‘Kirin’. They add vibrant splashes of color to partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil in zones 5-8.
Much like rhododendrons and mountain laurels, azaleas are evergreen shrubs that will need protection from deer year-round.
Quick List of Pink Flowers for Every Season
If you are planting a pink flower garden, you’ll want to keep that going from spring through fall. There are so many different options of pink spring flowers with a little less for summer and fall blooms but there’s still plenty of options to choose from.
Here is a quick sample of ideas you can try. Keep in mind these might have different soil and light requirements, so drill down on each one to match your zone, light, and soil conditions before planting. This is also not a full list, but will give you an idea of what to plant for spring through fall pink flowers.
- Spring: Tulips, Hyacinths, Hellebores, Bleeding Hearts, Bearded Iris, Peonies, Roses, Creeping Phlox, Rhododendron, Azalea, Mountain Laurel, Ninebark, Elderberry
- Summer: Coneflowers, Coreopsis, Hydrangea, Tall Phlox, Delphinium, Salvia, Roses, Impatiens, Calibrachoa, Zinnia, Cleome, Angelonia, Dahlias,
- Fall: Chrysanthemums, Rose of Sharon, Joe Pye Weed, Sedum Autumn Joy, Dahlias
More About Growing a Pink Flowers Garden
What are your favorite pink flowers to grow? I would love to know more in the comments below.
