10 Tall Pink Annuals to Add to your Garden

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Add some height and color to your garden with these tall pink annuals. These plants are perfect for creating a prominent border or back-of-the-garden feature. In this article, we'll explore 10 different varieties of tall pink annuals that will help beautify your garden.

Digitalis purpurea - Foxglove

Overview

Foxglove is a stunning plant that produces long spikes of pink flowers. This biennial plant can grow up to 6 feet tall and is perfect for adding height and color to your garden. It's also a favorite among pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

Growing Tips

Foxglove prefers rich, moist soil and partial shade. It's important to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. The plant may need support as it grows taller, so staking or using other supports may be necessary.

Companion Plants

Foxglove looks great when planted alongside other tall, architectural plants such as delphiniums or hollyhocks. You can also pair it with low-growing groundcovers like Brunnera or Ajuga.

Alcea rosea - Hollyhock

Overview

Hollyhocks produce tall spikes of flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, and white. They can grow up to 8 feet tall and are a great way to add height and color to your garden.

Growing Tips

Hollyhocks prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sun. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or sow them directly into the soil in early spring. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Hollyhocks self-seed easily so allow some blooms to go to seed if you want more plants next year.

Companion Plants

Hollyhocks are often planted in groups at the back of a border or alongside a fence. Pair them with lower-growing sun-loving plants such as lavender or catmint.

Cleome hassleriana - Cleome

Overview

Cleome is an unusual plant that produces spiky flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and has a long blooming period.

Growing Tips

Cleome prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It's drought tolerant once established, but will benefit from regular watering during the growing season. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers and prevent self-seeding.

Companion Plants

Cleome looks great planted with low-growing annuals such as petunias or marigolds. You can also pair it with taller grasses like Panicum virgatum.

Lathyrus odoratus - Sweet Pea

Overview

Sweet peas are fragrant plants that produce delicate flowers in shades of pink, blue, and white. They can grow up to 8 feet tall and are a favorite among pollinators.

Growing Tips

Sweet peas prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, or sow them directly into the soil in early spring. Provide support for the plant to climb such as a trellis, fence or netting. Water regularly and deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Companion Plants

Climbing sweet peas look great when planted alongside other climbers such as morning glory or clematis. Alternatively, grow them up an obelisk in a container, with trailing lobelia or verbena spilling over the sides.

Antirrhinum majus - Snapdragon

Overview

Snapdragons are a classic garden plant, producing spikes of pink flowers that bloom throughout the summer. They can grow up to 3 feet tall and are perfect for adding texture and color to your garden.

Growing Tips

Snapdragons prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or sow directly into the soil in spring. Water regularly and deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Companion Plants

Snapdragons look great when planted with other mid-height garden plants like salvia or catmint, as well as lower growing plants like alyssum or pansies.

Cosmos bipinnatus - Cosmos

Overview

Cosmos are delicate-looking plants that produce an abundance of pink, white or purple flowers throughout the summer. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and are easy to care for.

Growing Tips

Cosmos grows best in well-drained soil and full sun. Sow seeds directly into the soil after the last frost or start them indoors 4-6 weeks beforehand. Once established, they tolerate moderate drought but benefits from regular watering.

Companion Plants

Cosmos works well with many plants, such as low-growing groundcovers like thyme or sedum, or taller plants like salvias or rudbeckias.

Campanula medium - Canterbury Bells

Overview

Canterbury Bells are a charming and old-fashioned plant that produces bell-shaped pink flowers. They can grow up to 4 feet tall and are perfect for adding height and interest to your garden.

Growing Tips

Canterbury Bells prefer well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost or sow them directly into the soil. It's important to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.

Companion Plants

Canterbury bells look great when planted with low-growing annuals such as pansies or violas. Alternatively, pair them with other cottage garden favorites like delphinium or phlox.

Zinnia elegans - Zinnia

Overview

Zinnias are reliable garden favorites that produce colorful, daisy-like flowers throughout the summer. They come in various shades of pink and can grow up to 3 feet tall.

Growing Tips

Zinnias grow best in well-drained soil and full sun. Sow seeds directly into the soil after the last frost or start them indoors 4-6 weeks beforehand. Once established, they can tolerate drought, but regular watering will help promote better blooms.

Companion Plants

Zinnias mix well with other pollinator-attracting plants such as Black-eyed Susans or Butterfly weed. Alternatively, you could combine them with low-growing plants like portulaca or petunias.

Celosia cristata - Celosia

Overview

Celosia produces unusual flowers that resemble feathers in shades of pink, red and orange. They can be grown up to 3-feet tall and are perfect for adding a textural element to your garden.

Growing Tips

Celosia prefers rich, well-drained soil and full sun. It's important to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Companion Plants

Celosia looks beautiful when planted alongside low-growing borders of blue salvia or brightly colored Portulaca.

Nigella damascena - Love-in-a-Mist

Overview

Love-in-a-Mist is a beautiful plant with delicate pink or blue flowers surrounded by feathery leaves. It can grow up to 2 feet tall and is a great addition to any cottage garden.

Growing Tips

Nigella prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Start seeds directly into the soil in early spring, or sow them in late summer for a fall display. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Companion Plants

Love-in-a-Mist looks great when planted alongside other traditional cottage garden plants such as delphiniums or hardy geraniums.

With these tall pink annuals, you can add height and color to your garden while also helping to attract pollinators. These easy-to-grow plants are perfect for even novice gardeners, and they will help you create a stunning and colorful landscape.

FAQ

What is the best time of year to plant these annuals?

The best time to plant most of these annuals is in the spring after the last frost, with