20 Pink Flowers That Will Add Timeless Elegance to Your Garden

Astilbe

Astilbe (Astilbe spp.) is a perennial plant that produces feathery pink flowers with foliage that looks like ferns. "Their brilliant flowers really pop in the shade," says Marcia Stephenson, director of advancement at the Delaware Center for Horticulture. They bloom in late spring to late summer, depending on the variety. 

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 6 to 24 inches 
• Growing conditions: Partial to full sun; loamy, moist soil
  

Azalea

A shrub, azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) have scented flowers that entice pollinators in the spring. "They attract many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds," says Kathy Jentz, author of Groundcover Revolution and host of the GardenDC Podcast. "The Pinxterbloom Azalea is native to much of the eastern United States and has large groups of fragrant flowers that smell like honeysuckle." Choosing native species for your garden is always a great idea as they provide food and habitat for pollinators. 

• Zones: 6 to 8
• Size: 3 to 20 feet 
• Growing conditions: Partial to full sun; well-drained soil
  

Camellia

Camellias (Camellia spp.) make a beautiful addition to any garden, especially since they bloom when most spring and summer flowers are already spent. "Camellia flowers are prized for their large, pink flowers and glossy evergreen leaves that offer year-round color for your yard," says Anna Ohler, owner of Bright Lane Gardens. "They bloom later in the season, usually in fall or early winter, and attract a wide variety of pollinators."

• Zones: 7 to 9
• Size: 2 to 12 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
  

Carnation

Carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) are a common flower you'll find in bouquets at your local florists. "Carnations are commonly grown for cut flowers, as they can survive as long as two to three weeks in a vase when properly cared for," says Ohler. They're also fun to grow in the garden with their fragrant, small, pink-hued blossoms with fringed petals. "Pink carnations also have long-lasting blooms when left in the ground, offering vivid color for many weeks during the spring and summer," says Ohler.  "These charming pink flowers typically appear in late spring to early summer and may continue blooming intermittently."

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 6 to 36 inches tall
• Growing conditions: Partial shade to full sun; moist, well-drained soil
  

Cosmos

Want pretty pink flowers in your garden without much effort? Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) are easy to grow and thrive on neglect, says Meredith Bishop, an heirloom cut-flower grower and floral designer in Nashville, Tennessee. "They actually perform more poorly in healthy, fertilized soil," she says. She suggests a variety called "Cupcakes Blush" for its "delicate, crinkled bloom edge, giving it the appearance of a pale pink cupcake liner." Cosmos are great to grow as cut flowers, too. "The more you cut, the more blooms they’ll pump out for you all season long," she says. 

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 1 to 6 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, (Chrysanthemum X morifolium),  also called mums, have fun flowers that resemble big daisies or pom-poms. "They’re versatile in that you can grow garden mums as annuals (composting them after the flowers fade) and enjoy them as seasonal color on your deck, patio, porch, or balcony," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms. If you have frequent critters who tend to your garden like a salad buffet, Chrysanthemums are often bypassed. "They have a decent degree of deer and rabbit resistance, as well as drought tolerance," he says.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 4 to 6 inches
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Coneflower

Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are a hardy perennial plant that can thrive in harsh weather. "This beautiful flower is native to most regions in the U.S., providing essential food and habitat for local ecosystems," says Ohler. Melissa Starkey, an instructor at the Mt. Cuba Center botanical garden in Hockessin, Delaware, recommends the variety "Echinacea purpurea ‘Pica Bella,’ a pink cultivar that is a pollinator magnet." Once they've bloomed, leave them in the garden instead of tossing them in your compost pile. "Leaving coneflowers up throughout the fall and winter feeds goldfinches with their copious seeds, inviting these lovely birds to your garden," she says.

• Zones: 4 to 9
• Size: 2 to 5 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil
  

Fuchsia

Fuchsia (Fuchsia) makes a statement in the garden with its pendulous, tubular blossoms in an array of hues that attract pollinators. "These flowers are vibrant and unique, featuring bold flowers that are a huge hit with butterflies and hummingbirds," says Ohler. Whether you have a whole backyard or front yard to garden or only containers, fuchsias are adaptable. "Fuchsias are highly versatile and can be planted in a variety of settings, including flower beds, hanging baskets, and porch arrangements," she says. 

• Zones: 8 to 10
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Partial shade, well-draining and moist soil
  

Hellebore

Hellebores (Helleborus spp.) thrive in shady areas so they are ideal for any area in your garden that doesn't receive full sun. "This drought-tolerant perennial blooms in early spring and holds its flowers for months," says Stephenson. They also make an unconventional option for floral arrangements. Bishop recommends the variety "Flower Girl" which features double, multi-ruffled blooms in soft pink with dark pink tips.

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Partial to full shade, based on variety, well-draining soil
  

Hydrangea

When in bloom, hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) are a spectacular sight with a pom-pom or ball-shaped formation full of blossoms. "The nectar-rich flowers of pink hydrangeas attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies," says Mary Woolman, product manager for Star Roses and Plants. "By supporting pollination, these shrubs contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of the garden ecosystem." Hydrangeas come in numerous pink shades, including pastel pink and magenta. "Many pink hydrangea varieties boast a long blooming period, providing continuous color and interest throughout the summer months," says Woolman.

• Zones: 5 to 9
• Size: 2 to 20 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Partial to full sun; moist and well-drained soil
  

Impatiens

Have a lot of shade in your landscape? Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) are easy to grow and thrive in areas without direct sunlight. "I love impatiens because they’re probably the most reliable flowering annual for adding color to shaded spots," says Hancock. "If you grow impatiens in good soil and keep them moist, the plants produce an incredible number of flowers over the course of the season." There are many varieties, including double-flowering impatiens that have more petals but smaller florets, he says. 

• Zones: 10 and 11
• Size: 6 to 36 inches
• Growing conditions: Partial to full shade; well-draining soil
  

Peony

As long as their basic needs are met, peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) are simple to grow. "Peonies are easy to care for, deer-resistant, and can live for decades," says Jentz. "I love growing peonies and many of them are in beautiful pink tones." She recommends the pink heirloom variety called "Sarah Bernhardt."

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 2 to 7 feet
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-draining soil
  

Pink Lily

A type of Oriental lily, pink lilies (Lilium spp.) are a good choice for planting as border flowers, in containers, and as cut flowers. "Pink lilies are a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plant that brings beauty and elegance to the garden," says Peggy Anne Montgomery, horticulturist at Flowerbulbs.com. "Lilies are also a great choice for long-lasting cut flower arrangements." They attract pollinators and bloom in mid to late summer, she adds.  

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: 2 to 8 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Partial shade to full sun
  

Rose Campion

Rose campion (Lychnis coronaria)  is a perennial that is easy to grow. "This is drought tolerant and long blooming with hot pink blossoms on silver velvety foliage," says Stephenson. "The contrast between the blooms and foliage make this a stunning plant."

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Partial to full sun, well-drained soil
  

Snapdragon

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) produce small flowers that look like a dragon's snout that snaps open and closed when gently pinched—hence its name. Snapdragons are hardy annuals that grow well in cooler weather. "They’re cold-hardy, meaning they can stand light frosts, and often perform better and bloom earlier when [sown in the] fall and left to overwinter," says Bishop. She recommends two varieties, "Legend" and "Bridal Pink," because they "produce gorgeous blooms with shades of pale pink and add height and whimsy to old-fashioned arrangements," she says.

• Zones: 6 and above
• Size: 6 to 48 inches
• Growing conditions: Partial to full sun; well-drained, moist soil
  

Swamp Milkweed

A North American native plant, swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), has fragrant, pink-hued cluster blossoms that provide essential food and habitat for pollinators. "This native species is a host plant for the caterpillars of Monarch butterflies and a nectar source for hummingbirds, as well as many species of beneficial insects from summer to fall," says Mary Phillips, head of Native Plant Habitat Strategy and Certification programs at the National Wildlife Federation. As the name implies, swamp milkweed grows in swamps as well as marshes, wetlands, and near streams and ponds. "This plant's adaptability to moist soils and its role in supporting wildlife make it a valuable addition to gardens and conservation efforts alike," says Ohler. 

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 3 to 5 feet
• Growing conditions: Partial shade; moist to wet soil
  

Tulip

Tulips (Tulipa) are classic spring blooms that are easy to grow and you can choose from an array of hues, including light pink to magenta. "They thrive in borders and containers alike, bringing a pop of color to the early spring garden," says Montgomery. Tulips are also a great option to add to any bouquet, she adds.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 9 to 24 inches tall
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Turtlehead

Turtlehead (Chelone spp.) is a North American perennial plant that is named for its tubular shape that resembles a turtle head. "Turtlehead plants thrive in moist to wet soil conditions [and] attract pollinators like bumblebees and butterflies due to their specialized flower shape," says Ohler. 

With bloom times from late summer to early fall, "turtlehead adds a burst of late-season color to gardens and is often used in naturalistic settings, woodland gardens, or alongside water features," says Ohler.  

• Zones: 3 to 9
• Size: 1 to 3 feet
• Growing conditions: Partial sun; moist to wet soil
  

Weigela

"Weigela (Weigela florida) is a gorgeous, deciduous shrub and a stunning bloomer that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden," says Jentz. When they blossom in the spring, you'll have a pollinator paradise. "Its tiny, tubular-shaped blooms line up along the plant’s long, bending branches in abundance in mid-spring," she says.  

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 6 to 10 feet tall
• Growing conditions: Full sun; well-drained, moist soil
  

Wild Bleeding Heart

Want more native plants in your garden to provide food and habitat for pollinators? Wild bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia) grows well in the shade and has pink tubular-shaped hanging flowers. "Wild bleeding heart is a lesser-known native perennial with pink, heart-shaped flowers that bloom from spring through fall," says Starkey. "Its finely cut, fern-like leaves add a delicate texture to the garden."

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 10 to 16 inches tall
• Growing conditions: Partial to full sun; moist, humus soil