How to Grow Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate Flowers

Kiss-me-over-me-garden-gate is a beautiful old-fashioned flower that unfortunately is not often seen in private or public gardens. When I do get the delight of seeing this spectacular plant, the Foxtail weed or a caterpillar come to mind, because that is what I think the flowers resemble from a distance, even if they are pink. The flower is actually small delicate pink balls.

Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate was first introduced to the United States from its native China by Thomas Jefferson. Although it is considered an annual plant, in many southern states the seeds that fall to the ground will survive mild winters and sprout again the next spring. This exotic-looking plant reaches heights over six feet tall, producing hundreds of gorgeous pink flowers that hang from the ends of tall stems. When a mild summer wind blows, these flowers swirl delicately around in the air.

How to Plant and Care for Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate

Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate is an easy and lovely plant to grow, with the only concern being the Japanese beetle, which will devour them. This plant cannot be grown from cuttings or transplanting. It must be grown from seeds that require a cold spell. If you collect the seeds in the fall, allow them to dry and then store them in a cool and dark area away from dampness. Before planting in early spring, freeze the seeds for at least one week.

Plant the seeds in organic rich soil 15 to 18 inches apart in full sun. The beautiful three-inch long pink flowers should start appearing around later summer to early fall, depending on your area. These delicate pink flowers will gradually get darker in color as the summer season turns into autumn. The large, heart-shaped leaves of Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate are a reddish-brown or bronze to green color. The plant needs plenty of water, but be careful not to overwater.

Ways to Use Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate

It is a prolific grower, which makes it an excellent choice to use as a unique privacy screen to your deck or patio. You just need to make sure you plant it in large containers. It also provides lots of shade. Because it grows tall and bushy, it is a good choice to plant near a trellis, even though it is not a climbing plant. It makes a great addition to a butterfly garden, and the color helps attract hummingbirds. It is excellent plant to use in cut or dried flower arrangements.

Sources: Personal experience, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Store