No colour lifts a summer border quite like pink – not to mention, it was seen again and again at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, especially paired with purple and white.
The only problem is keeping this pink colour going after those first few weeks of vibrancy.
Thankfully, there are options. Below are six perennials and shrubs that keep the colour moving through the rest of the season. Choose them in May and they’ll still be flowering in September, through heatwaves, dry spells and those late-summer weeks when most borders start to look tired.
1. Weigela: the shrub that holds the border together
Weigela is often the backbone of a pink planting scheme. Its tubular flowers appear in late spring and early summer, and many varieties produce a second flush later in the season if deadheaded after flowering. Even when it’s between blooms, the arching shape keeps the border looking full rather than patchy.
Care tips: Prune after the first flush to encourage repeat flowering. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring. Water regularly in the first growing season; established plants need very little attention after that.
Varieties to try: ‘Pink Princess’ for deep rose-pink flowers, or ‘Variegata’, which combines pink blooms with cream-edged foliage.
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2. Phlox: fragrant, tall, and still flowering in September
Garden phlox earns its place on this list by flowering for months. Tall heads of pink flowers appear from midsummer into early autumn, often carrying scent on warm evenings. It’s also one of the most reliable butterfly plants for late summer.
Care tips: Plant in full sun and water well during dry spells, which helps reduce powdery mildew. Thin stems in spring to improve airflow. Divide every three to four years to keep plants vigorous.
Varieties to try: ‘Bright Eyes’ for pale pink petals with a darker centre, or ‘Pink Flame’ for a stronger, brighter pink.
3. Echinacea: the perennial that thrives through heatwaves
Also known as coneflower, echinacea comes into its own in high summer, when many other plants start to struggle. Once established, it copes well with heat and dry soil, flowering from midsummer into autumn. The raised seed heads also bring structure to the border long after the petals fade.
Care tips: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water while establishing, then only occasionally in prolonged dry weather. Deadhead to extend flowering or leave seed heads standing for birds in autumn and winter.
Varieties to try: ‘Magnus’ for large rose-pink flowers on tall stems, or ‘Bravado’ for a more compact option.
4. Persicaria: one of the longest-flowering perennials you can grow
Persicaria amplexicaulis quietly flowers from June into October, producing upright spikes of small pink flowers for months on end. It works especially well in looser, naturalistic planting and mixes beautifully with ornamental grasses.
Care tips: Grow in moist soil in sun or partial shade. Cut back in autumn and divide clumps every few years if growth becomes crowded.
Varieties to try: ‘Pink Knot’ for upright flower spikes, or ‘Pink Elephant’ for a softer, slightly arching habit.
5. Sidalcea: the underrated cottage-garden perennial
Sidalcea, or prairie mallow, has the softness of a hollyhock but is far easier to live with. It produces elegant stems of shell-pink flowers through much of summer and is especially good for pollinators and cutting gardens.
Care tips: Plant in full sun in moist but well-drained soil. Cut stems back after flowering to encourage another flush. Divide every few years to keep plants healthy.
Varieties to try: ‘Elsie Heugh’, which holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit, or ‘Brilliant’ for stronger pink flowers on taller stems.
6. Zinnias: months of colour from one packet of seed
Zinnias flower relentlessly from summer until the first frost, which makes them one of the hardest-working pink flowers you can grow. They also make excellent cut flowers, often lasting more than a week indoors.
Care tips: Sow after the last frost in a sunny spot with free-draining soil. Deadhead regularly to keep plants producing flowers. They thrive in warm weather and dislike cold, damp conditions.
Varieties to try: ‘Benary’s Giant’ for large flowers on tall stems, or ‘Candy’ for smaller blooms with a looser look.
How to build a pink border that still works in September
Start with shrubs such as weigela to give the border shape early in the season. Use phlox and echinacea through the middle for long-lasting colour, then weave in persicaria to carry the planting into autumn. Sidalcea adds height without heaviness, while zinnias fill gaps and provide armfuls for cutting.
Most of these plants prefer full sun, though persicaria and phlox will tolerate partial shade. Water well while plants establish, mulch in spring, and avoid overcrowding. The goal is a border that keeps moving through the season rather than peaking all at once.
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