Heirloom

Lacy Pink

Trachymene coerulea

Photo: Louise Docker · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY 2.0)

Pale pink, 2-2 1/2" blooms are held aloft on stiff stems. Flowers have a mild, clean fragrance and delicate appearance. Plant habit is branching and upright with few leaves. Plants produce blooms for up to two months in our trials.

Harvest

95-100d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Lacy Pink in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Lacy Pink · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

Colorpale pink

Size2-2 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Lacy Pink runs 95–100 days to flower, which doesn't leave a lot of room for multiple rounds in a single season — but two are doable if you start early. In zone 7, sow indoors in late February for a first transplant in late April, then start a second tray in mid-to-late March to transplant in May. That staggers your bloom window by 3–4 weeks and keeps stems coming for cutting through late summer. A third sow after early June isn't worth it; plants started that late will be racing against heat and won't give you much.

Trachymene coerulea germinates and establishes best in cool to moderate conditions. If daytime highs are consistently above 85°F when your second planting hits the ground, expect slower establishment and shorter vase life from those flowers. Earlier is generally better with this one.

Complete Growing Guide

Growing Lacy Pink (Trachymene coerulea) flower. Light: Full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 1 to 11. Days to maturity: 95. Difficulty: Easy.

Harvesting

Lacy Pink reaches harvest at 95 - 100 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2-2 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh cut flowers, immediately place stems in cool water and store in a cool location (50-65°F) away from direct sunlight. Lacy Pink flowers last 7-10 days in a vase with fresh water changed every 2-3 days. For preservation: (1) Air dry by hanging upside-down bundles in a warm, dark space for 2-3 weeks to retain form and soft color; (2) Press flowers between paper under weight for 2-4 weeks for scrapbooking or craft use; (3) Freeze blooms in ice cubes with water for decorative cocktails or culinary presentations. Keep away from ethylene-producing fruits to extend vase life.

History & Origin

Trachymene coerulea is a herb in the family Araliaceae. It is native to Western Australia.

Advantages

+Pale pink blooms with mild, clean fragrance add delicate charm to arrangements
+Stiff stems hold flowers aloft, ideal for cutting and display purposes
+Extended two-month bloom period provides prolonged color in garden trials
+Easy difficulty rating makes Lacy Pink accessible for beginner gardeners
+Branching, upright habit requires minimal staking or support structures

Considerations

-Sparse foliage on plants creates somewhat bare, ungainly appearance when not blooming
-Relatively long 95-100 day maturity delays gratification for impatient growers
-Delicate flower appearance may not withstand rough handling or adverse weather
-Limited leaf coverage may reduce plant resilience to pests and stress

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the most practical neighbors here. They deter aphids and thrips through root secretions and scent — both pests that will go after Lacy Pink's soft stems — and they bloom on a similar schedule, so you're not holding bed space for a companion that isn't producing yet. Sweet Alyssum is worth tucking along the edge of the same bed: it draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies, which keep soft-bodied pest populations in check without any spray program. Cosmos and Zinnia round out a solid cutting-garden block, and since none of them are heavy feeders, they won't compete hard for the same soil resources.

Sunflowers are a subtler problem than most gardeners expect. They release allelopathic compounds through their roots and decomposing leaf tissue, and they'll shade out a shorter plant like Lacy Pink aggressively if planted on the south side of the bed. Black Walnut trees carry the same root-chemistry problem but at a larger scale — the juglone they release can harm susceptible plants across a wide radius, so any bed within 50 feet of a mature trunk is a bad spot for Trachymene regardless of what else you're growing there. Eucalyptus has similar chemistry and competes hard for water on top of it. None of these belong in the same bed or immediately adjacent to it.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts predatory insects and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles while deterring squash bugs

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides complementary colors

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting bees

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while providing pest control

Chives

Repel aphids and improve overall plant health through root secretions

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive flowers

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Can release growth-inhibiting chemicals and compete aggressively for nutrients

Troubleshooting Lacy Pink

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings damping off at the soil line — stems pinch to a thread and topple over within the first 2-3 weeks indoors

Likely Causes

Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi thriving in soggy, poorly drained seed-starting mix
Trays kept too wet with no airflow, common when sowing indoors in February

What to Do

1.Water from the bottom only — set trays in a shallow dish for 20 minutes, then let them drain fully
2.Run a small fan near the seedlings on low for a few hours a day to keep surface moisture down
3.If damping off has already started, pull the affected seedlings immediately and don't reuse that cell mix

Plants producing few or no flowers despite healthy foliage, even past day 100

Likely Causes

Excessive nitrogen from a high-N fertilizer or overly rich soil, pushing leafy growth at the expense of blooms
Too much shade — Trachymene coerulea needs full sun and will stall in anything less than 6 hours of direct light

What to Do

1.Skip the high-nitrogen feed; if you amended at planting, don't side-dress again until buds appear
2.Move container plants to the sunniest spot available, or note the bed position for next season
3.Pinch any leggy stem tips to redirect energy toward lateral branching and bud set

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Lacy Pink flowers last in a vase?▼

Lacy Pink flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase with proper care. Change water every 2-3 days, trim stems at an angle, and keep them in a cool location (50-65°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruits. Removing lower leaves submerged in water helps prevent bacterial growth and extends vase life.

Is Lacy Pink a good flower variety for beginners?▼

Yes, Lacy Pink is classified as an easy-to-grow variety, making it ideal for beginners. It requires full sun and standard flower care with no special techniques needed. The plants produce blooms prolifically for up to two months, providing rewarding results even for first-time flower growers.

Can you grow Lacy Pink in containers?▼

While specific container recommendations aren't documented, the upright, branching habit and moderate height of Lacy Pink make it well-suited to container gardening. Use well-drained potting soil and ensure containers have drainage holes. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than in-ground plantings.

When should I plant Lacy Pink flowers?▼

Lacy Pink should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sown after all frost danger has passed. With a 95-100 day maturation period, timing your planting ensures blooms arrive during your desired season. Plant in full sun locations for optimal flower production.

What does Lacy Pink smell like?▼

Lacy Pink flowers have a mild, clean fragrance that complements their delicate appearance. The scent is subtle rather than overpowering, making them pleasant for close-up enjoyment without overwhelming a room. The gentle fragrance pairs well with their pale pink coloring and elegant form.

How tall do Lacy Pink plants grow?▼

Lacy Pink has an upright, branching habit with flowers held aloft on stiff stems. While exact mature height isn't specified, the stiff stem structure and flower presentation suggest moderate height typical of cut flower varieties, generally in the 2-3 foot range, though this should be verified with seed supplier information.