In this blog I would like to introduce my favourite flower seeds that you can sow now for summer colour. Growing annuals (plants that flower in their first year) from seed is a really rewarding way to fill your garden with colour this summer. The joy of watching seeds germinate and grow adds to the financial benefits of low cost plants and the environmental advantages of reducing plastic waste and the carbon footprint of your garden.
Nursery bought plants are invaluable to the domestic gardener, but they come with a high cost in terms of plastic waste, compost and carbon footprint from transport costs. Seed grown plants will also cost a fraction of the amount, with often 10s or even 100s of seeds available for a few pounds. This makes seed grown annuals perfect both for gardeners on a budget and those looking to fill a large border or garden. If you have a small garden and don’t need the whole packet of seed why not see if friends or neighbours would like to do a seed swap and share the benefits.
All these flowers are also excellent cut for the vase, enabling you to bring some of the joys of the garden indoors.
Whether you need to fill some gaps in your borders, want to attract more pollinators or want to create your own cutting garden, here are my favourite flower seeds to sow now for summer colour:
Antirrhinum
Commonly known as Snapdragon these spires of intricate flowers provide lovely vertical accents in your planting. Colours range from pure white, through pinks and crimsons to vibrant yellows these will flower on into autumn.
Although the seeds are tiny they are relatively easy to grow from seed, sow undercover in spring and plant out once the risk of frosts has passed. Alternatively for earlier flowers sow in autumn and either keep in an unheated greenhouse or plant out in a sheltered spot. In milder winters plants may overwinter and flower again the following year.
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
The classic blue cornflower is a symbol of the British summer, growing wild around the edges of cornfields, but it also makes an excellent garden filler and cut flower. As well as the classic blue of the wildflower Centaurea are available in shades from dark crimson through pink and purple to white. This is also another flower loved by pollinators.
Sow direct either in spring or autumn for earlier flowers the following year, or sow under cover and plant out in spring. For a longer display make repeated sowings every few weeks.
Cosmos
The easy to grow daisy-like flowers of Cosmos are available in a wide range of colours from pure white through shades of pink, and every combination in between, as well as zingy yellows and vibrant oranges. New varieties also have increasingly elaborate petals from the frilly, to double and even tubular. Specialist seed catalogues are bursting with options! The fine, divided foliage is light and frothy and makes cosmos easy to combine with other plants.
If you wish to grow Cosmos in pots choose one of the smaller varieties such as Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Dwarf Sensation White’ or Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sonata Carmine’ which will stay more compact. Most Cosmos are listed as growing to 90cm but I often find mine are often far taller.
Cosmos can be direct sown outdoors from May onwards wherever you want them to flower, or to get an early start sow in modules or individual pots indoors in March and April. Cosmos make an excellent cut flower and if deadheaded will go on flowering until the first frosts. I leave a few flowers to go to seed so that I always have a few surprise seedlings in my borders.
Nigella
Another airy border filler, Nigella (or Love-in-the-Mist as it is sometimes known) is a frothy joy in early summer. With clouds of finely divided foliage and delicate flower heads which mature to form decorative seed heads this is another easy to grow annual.
Varieties range from the pure white Nigella damascena ‘Miss Jekyll Alba’ through blues and pinks to the deep bluey purple Nigella damascena ‘Deep Blue’ which has purple seed heads.
Nigella can be direct sown in August for early flowers the following year or in April for a later flowering, or sow under cover in March or September. Self sows prolifically, but colours will cross breed.
Orlya grandiflora
Another hardy annual with delicate froths of white flower heads, often known as White Lace Flower, that look stunning in the border and as a cut flower. Again sow in autumn for an earlier flowering or in March under cover or April and May direct sow outside. Will self seed if allowed.
Zinnia
Native to South America Zinnia’s need heat and in a dry sunny summer in southern England they are a fabulous addition to the garden. Available in a range of zingy jewel-like colours they will repeat flower on into the autumn, delighting pollinators with no need for irrigation. They also last well as a cut flower and cutting encourages repeat flowering.
Due to their dislike of cold delay sowing outdoors until May or even June, they will get off to a better start once the risk of cold nights is past. If you are keen to sow earlier sow indoors in modules or pots and try to minimise root disturbance when planting out.
Get your garden off to a great start this year and buy some flower seeds to sow now for summer colour. Annual flower seeds are available at garden centres or online from seed supplier. My favourite online retailers are:
https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/
If you’re not sure how to incorporate annual flowers in your borders or would like more comprehensive garden design services or bespoke advice please get in touch or read more about how I can help through my garden advice service a new planting design to refresh your garden or my full garden design service.
Check out my previous previous blog posts
- Top ornamental grasses to add texture and movement to your garden
- Flower seeds to sow now for summer colour
- Top plants to add winter interest to your garden
- Top trees and shrubs to add sparkling colour to your garden this autumn
- Spring bulbs to plant now
