The perennial garden is easy to establish. The difficulty is choosing what to plant. Gardens can look stunning when planted in different shades of one colour of perennial flowers. Pink flowers with their backdrop of green foliage are particularly easy on the eye. Apart from all time favourites like asters, dianthus and roses, there are some lovely unusual perennial plants in various shapes and heights to keep your garden pretty in pink from March to November.
Pink Lily of the Valley
The white variety is much loved but move over, here comes the dainty bell-shaped pink Lily of the Valley with the same strong classic fragrance. These delicate perennial flowers will bloom from March to May and look gorgeous planted in containers, beds, or in borders with other shade plants. They make good ground cover in a rich moist soil and look their best under trees or shrubs where they may spread naturally. Once established they need very little care and provide a profusion of flowers for many years. Like their white cousins, pink Lily of the Valley also do well as cut flowers in a vase on a dressing table.
Zone 2 to 8.
Heucherella Bridget Bloom
Look for the unusual Bridget Bloom and you will find spikes of rosy pink flowers in long-stemmed sprays that bloom in May and June and then again in September. This perennial plant grows no more than 18 inches tall and makes an attractive ground cover. Not only is Bridget Bloom tolerant of poor soil, it is also not fussy about sun or shade. An added bonus is that it is a great favourite with butterflies.
Zone 3 to 7.
Monarda Petite Wonder
Another plant that attracts butterflies to the garden is a relatively new variety of Monarda called Petite Wonder. This dwarf perennial plant grows up to 15 inches and will spread to almost the same in width. It has bright pink flowers, aromatic leaves, and grows best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. Petite Wonders like rich soil in a well-drained area. Grow them in borders for a fabulous display.
Zone 3 to 9.
Sea Thrift Armada Rose
Sea Thrift is a wonderfully hardy evergreen plant that grows in full sun or partial shade and will not complain about dry conditions. There are several varieties, but look for the more uncommon Armada Rose. It has clusters of candy pink flowers on slender stalks growing up to 8 inches tall and spreading out to about 4 inches. Turn a corner of the pink perennial garden into a rocky area where Armada Rose would be most at home. It will also make good ground cover.
Zone 3 to 8.
Gaura Lindheimeri
There are many varieties of Gaura, some with white flowers and many with pink flowers and they are all perfect, but really special is the Pink Fountain which has a shower of flowers from June to October. Also look out for Ballerina Blush, with paler pink flowers. Drought tolerant, the perennial Gaura plant grows happily in full sun and can achieve a height of 4ft.
Zone 3 to 8.
Diascia Personata
Originating in the mountains of South Africa, Diascia is a great performer, flowering generously from May to November. There are several colored varieties, but look for Diascia Personata’s dusty pink flowers with darker pink centres. These beautiful plants grow up to 4ft tall and spread out to about 3ft. Diascia is an ideal choice for planting in a group of large containers as a focal point in a smaller garden.
Zone 5 to 9.
Top Tip : Plant perennials a good month before the first autumn frost to give them the best start.
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