To paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, the pink blush that flies at 17, shall later be fixed.
Pink always flies in nature, from the beautiful berries of American beautybush to the spring welcoming blossoms of dogwoods. The gentle unfurling of spring flowers was jumpstarted this year by a surprise heat wave. Gardeners have no time to dillydally. Now is the time to prune plants. Tip prune spring bloomers and aggressively cut back summer bloomers.
Many plants were victims of winter burn, including hydrangeas, nandina, hollies, cotoneasters, and other broad leaf plants. Do not fret, most are showing signs of new growth. Cut off all dead parts to reveal fresh new growth. Hydrangeas were severely affected by frigid temperatures causing a lot of tip die back. Prune to ¼ inch above a healthy plump bud. Also, remove all dead, thin, and weak branches to stimulate vibrant new growth.
Here are six in the pink plants that will work well at your property.
1. “Invincibelle Spirit” hydrangea arborescens: This is the pink-flowered version of the “Annabelle” hydrangea that blooms in midsummer to frost in full sun to part shade. It attracts pollinators, particularly bees, butterflies, hydrangea sphinx moths, and other moths, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens. It blooms on new wood, ensuring flowers despite know-nothing eager pruners. Be aggressive and whack it way down to stimulate more flowers.
2. Clethra alnifolia “Ruby Spice”: Spicebush in the wild has fragrant white flowers, but “Ruby Spice” was bred to create beautiful pink flowers that attract pollinators. Its leaves offer yellow fall color. It’s perfect for moist spots in the sun to semi-shade in the garden since its native habitat is pond edges and wetlands. Feel free to shape it in early spring before new growth takes off.
3. Viburnum nudum “Brandywine”: This is a medium size shrub, 5-6 feet tall, with spectacular deep pink flowers, early rosy, pink-colored berries that turn blue with showy glossy leaves that turn dark maroon in autumn. This plant will fruit without another pollinator. Birds enjoy the berries and nest in their thicket like architecture. Prune in late winter to early spring.
4. Sambucus nigra “Eva”: Otherwise known as “Black Lace” elderberry, this is a standout in the garden with its medium pink flower clusters six inches across and purple-black lacy foliage. Full sun will make the foliage that deep dark color. Pruning to the ground yearly in early spring will promote the plant to produce 20 percent more fruit.
5. Symphocarpus “Coral Berry”: Amethyst Snowberry Symphocarpus “Coral Berry” has magenta-pink fruits in late summer. It is an excellent shrub for attracting pollinators and wildlife, particularly native bees, honeybees, wasps, and flies with its nectar-rich spring flowers. Snowberry is a critical host plant for hummingbird moths and supports diverse bird species with its persistent late season pink berries. Prune in early spring to promote more flowers and fruits.
6. Cornus florida “Rubra”: Pink flowering dogwood offers year-round interest from vibrant pink spring flowers to red fall foliage and red berries. Dogwoods provide high-fat and calcium-rich food and support 35 to 98 species of birds and over 30 types of pollinators. It acts as a critical, multiseason resource for wildlife, hosting numerous insects and acting as a nesting for songbirds. Squirrels are renowned for devouring the berries. Tip prune to shape after bloom.
