This old-fashioned annual, besides having maybe the very best name of any flower, grows to be six or seven feet tall, with long, pendulous clusters of bright pink to rose flowers. The leaves are large, oval to ovate, soft green, and slightly downy. Some references identify its use in American gardens as early as the 1730s.
This plant seems to prefer rich, well draining soils that receive regular irrigation (but not over-watering). The less water, the shorter the plants. Grow in full sun. Start from seed (the seeds need to be chilled - one source said to leave the seeds outside in the shed for the winter). It can be a prolific self-seeder, which is good or bad depending on your perspective. Birds love the seeds.