Kiftsgate, one of the most beloved gardens in Gloucestershire, is renowned for its romantic appeal, largely due to the pervasive presence of the color pink. Anne Chambers, the current custodian of this cherished family garden, has shared her ten favorite pink flowers that enhance the garden’s beauty.
Among these, Salvia microphylla ‘Blush Pink’ stands out with its award-winning performance. Flowering from June to November, it offers a long-lasting display of color. However, it is semi-hardy, so gardeners are advised to take cuttings in autumn as a precaution.
Rosa ‘Cerise Bouquet’ delivers a dramatic, one-time bloom each season. With deep cherry-red, semi-double flowers, it grows to a height of 3 meters, making it ideal for mixed borders where it can spread freely. This disease-resistant shrub rose is known for its prickly stems.
Another impressive rose is Rosa ‘Climbing Pompon de Paris’, a robust climber with small, delicate blooms. It flowers once in the summer but is followed by attractive hips, offering gardeners a “two-for-one” deal. Reaching up to 4 meters, this rose requires ample space and support.
For a plant that thrives in dry conditions, Indigofera howellii is an excellent choice. This drought-tolerant shrub features elegant pink flowers from June until autumn. It is deciduous but is adorned with pea-green leaves in early spring, growing up to 4 meters in full sun.
Dierama pulcherrimum, often known as Angel’s fishing rod, brings vibrant, pendant flowers to the midsummer garden. Its grassland origins make it a perfect addition to naturalistic garden schemes, though it requires well-drained soil and full sun. This plant is semi-hardy and may not survive harsh northern winters.
Penstemon ‘Evelyn’ is another garden favorite, known for its bright pink tubular flowers with pink-and-white striated throats. Blooming from July to October, this hardy and semi-evergreen perennial can endure wet or dry conditions better than other penstemons, making it a versatile choice for borders.
For a striking Mediterranean touch, Gladiolus byzantinus offers wands of magenta flowers that grow best in sunny, well-drained soil. This gladiolus, which blooms from April to June, reaches around 60 cm in height and has a natural tendency to spread in warmer climates.
Paeonia ‘Bowl of Beauty’ is a showstopping peony, featuring a ruffled vanilla center surrounded by cream petals. Blooming in June and July, this plant requires careful planting to ensure its crown is not more than 2.5 cm below the soil’s surface. Its stunning flowers make it a highlight of any border.
Deutzia x elegantissima ‘Rosalind’ is a spring and early summer favorite, known for its pretty pink flowers. This hardy shrub blooms on the previous year’s growth, so a post-flowering prune will ensure a full display. Reaching about 1.2 meters, it thrives in full sun.
Finally, Lobelia x speciosa ‘Tania’ adds an exotic touch to any garden. With brilliant magenta flowers appearing from midsummer to autumn, this hardy perennial also boasts striking purple-tinged foliage. It grows to about 1 meter tall, with a spread of 70 cm after two years.
These ten pink flowers, carefully selected by Anne Chambers, embody the charm and beauty that make Kiftsgate Garden a favorite destination for visitors and a model of floral inspiration.
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