Pink Wildflowers That Bloom in Summer
A blush of new color might be just what you’re looking for. The rosy blooms of the plants on this list bring visual interest wherever they’re found. Every summer season is enriched by the vibrant contrast of these pink blooms against a backdrop of green. Find your new favorite drama queen here.
Asclepias syriaca, commonly known as Common milkweed , is a flowering perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. It contains milky latex which can be toxic to sheep, cows, and other larger mammals (including humans) if it is consumed in large amounts. Many insect species are attracted to Common milkweed , most notably monarch butterflies.
Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) was introduced to North America from Europe as an ornamental flower. It spread far through the region and is now considered an invasive species for woodlands and prairies in many states. Unlike most plants, the flowers and seed pods of Dame’s rocket grow at the same time.
The Rose campion is an important ornamental plant and has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It natives to Asia and Europe and now is widely cultivated. The Latin Silene coronaria stands for used for garlands and is sometimes referred to as Lychnis coronaria in the United Kingdom.
This aggressive weed spreads across grasslands and fields via underground roots that creep horizontally, some for more than 5 m. It can cause major problems to agriculture if its growth is left unchecked. Its seeds feed many birds as well as pest insects. Creeping thistle is generally considered a noxious weed even in its native territory.
The Fringed willowherb is native to North America and East Asia, but was introduced to North Europe in the 1900s and spread rapidly. It prefers humid places such as in the wetlands or by the streams and ponds, but it can also survive in a variety of habitats such as roadsides and wastelands.
Common vetch (Vicia sativa) is an annual herb plant also commonly called vetch, tare, and garden vetch. It is often considered a weed, but is also utilized for manure and animal feed for livestock across the world. When grown for agricultural purposes, it is sown in dense fields.
Redstem stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium) is a hardy species most at home in deserts or other dry conditions. Common stork’s-bill is also referred to as pinweed. It has pin-shaped or stork-bill-shaped seed pods that burst explosively to propel seeds away from the parent plant. The unique spiral tails of the seeds then push them slowly into the dirt as the air around changes humidity and temperature.
Sensitive plant , Mimosa pudica, or sensitive plant, is named for its unique characteristic of curling up when touched. The fernlike leaves will curl inwards when disturbed. It’s purple fuzzy flowers make it an attractive houseplant, however, the plant contains alkaloids which are toxic to people and animals.
Garden valerian gets its name from the Latin term, “valere” (meaning “healthy”) since its extracts were believed to be useful. For gardening purposes, the plant is often grown as an ornamental or perennial herb. Garden valerian was likely brought to North America for use in gardens, but it escaped and is now an invasive weed.
Spotted Joe-pyeweed is a perennial plant native to North America. It can grow as tall as 6.5 ft. It is found often in damp or wet areas such as marshlands, swamps, etc. and it produces purplish-pink colored flowers at the top of stems that are purple or green with purple spots.
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a flowering annual plant found natively in the Himalayan mountains. It is an attractive ornamental plant but has become an invasive species in North America due to humans transiting. In order to remove the invasive species, the plant must be cut out by its roots.
Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria) is an annual wildflower that grows from 12 to 30 inches tall. It is commonly found growing in disturbed areas and pastures and along roadsides, railroad tracks and woodland edges. It blooms small, yet showy, clusters of pink flowers. The flower’s nectar attracts butterflies, skippers, bees and flies. The name refers to an area in England where the plant was once common.
This plant grows in tight carpets or mounds in rocky, mountainous regions and tundras. This perennial is also planted in rock gardens due to the attractiveness of its tiny leaves as well as the pink or lavender flowers that bloom profusely in summer. The first flowers of the year will appear on the south side. Moss campion plants have long lifespans, with some in Alaska exceeding 300 years of age.
Ironweed, or Vernonia noveboracensis, gets its Latin name from a traveling botanist of the 1600 and 1700s, Willian Vernon. It is a tall perennial wildflower with stiff stems and bright purple fluffs of flowers on top that is native to the eastern and southeastern United States.