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Growing flowers from seed is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening. It doesn’t take a large budget or years of experience to fill your garden with colorful blooms. Watching tiny seedlings grow into flowering plants is satisfying, especially when they bloom in the very same season.
If you’re getting a late start, don’t worry. Many annual flowers grow quickly from seed and begin blooming within a few months. Whether you have flower beds, raised beds, or containers, these easy-to-grow annuals can fill your outdoor space with color before you know it. Some will even scatter their own seeds and return the following year.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
California poppies brighten the garden with brilliant orange blooms and attractive blue-green foliage. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and are a great choice for dry gardens once established.
Direct sow the seeds in spring where you want them to grow. These cheerful flowers often reseed themselves, giving you another display the following season with very little work.
Related post: 14 Edible Flowers That Will Dress Up Your Garden and Dinner Plate
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Few flowers make a statement like a sunflower. From towering varieties to compact types that fit into smaller gardens, there’s one for every space.
Sunflowers grow best in full sun and rich soil. Sow the seeds directly outdoors since they don’t like being transplanted. Their fast growth and large blooms make them a favorite for gardeners of all ages.
Related post: 19 Gorgeous Wildflowers That Will Fill Out Your Garden
Rocket Larkspur (Consolida ajacis)
Rocket larkspur produces tall flower spikes in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. They bring height and color to borders and cottage gardens.
These flowers prefer cooler weather and grow best in full sun, though they appreciate a little afternoon shade in warmer climates. Taller plants may need staking once they begin to bloom.
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Cornflowers are easy-going plants that fit beautifully into cottage-style gardens. Their delicate blue, pink, purple, or white flowers bloom over a long period and attract bees and butterflies.
They tolerate poor soil surprisingly well and grow happily in full sun. Scatter seeds directly into the garden, and they’ll do most of the work themselves.
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are loved for their fragrant flowers and climbing vines. Their blooms come in beautiful shades of pink, purple, red, and white, adding color and fragrance to fences, arches, and trellises.
Plant seeds in a sunny location with fertile soil and provide something sturdy for the vines to climb. Picking flowers often helps keep new blooms coming.
Related: 18 Beautiful Flowers That Give Rose-Like Vibes
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet alyssum forms low mounds covered with tiny flowers that release a light, honey-like fragrance. White is the most common color, though pink and purple varieties are also popular.
It grows well in garden borders, containers, and hanging baskets. This compact annual handles poor soil well and attracts plenty of pollinators throughout the season.
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
Globe amaranth stands out with its round blooms in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. These long-lasting flowers hold up well through summer heat and are excellent for fresh or dried arrangements.
Plant them in full sun and well-drained soil for the best results. Butterflies are frequent visitors once the flowers begin blooming.
Petunia (Petunia × hybrida)
Petunias are known for producing flowers from late spring until frost. Their trumpet-shaped blooms come in almost every color imaginable, making them a favorite for containers, window boxes, and flower beds.
Give them plenty of sunshine and remove faded flowers regularly to encourage more blooms throughout the season.
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Snapdragons add height and texture with their tall flower spikes. They bloom best during the cooler parts of the growing season and come in shades of white, yellow, pink, red, orange, and purple.
Plant them in fertile, well-drained soil where they’ll receive full sun or light afternoon shade.
Zinnias
Zinnias are one of the easiest annual flowers to grow from seed. They produce bright, colorful blooms in nearly every shade and continue flowering from early summer until frost.
These plants love sunshine and well-drained soil. Cutting flowers for bouquets actually encourages the plants to produce even more blooms.
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums are known for their cheerful orange, yellow, and red flowers and their round, lily pad-like leaves. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, making them a favorite in vegetable gardens.
They grow well in poor soil and don’t require much attention. Trailing varieties spill beautifully from containers and hanging baskets.
Morning Glory
Morning glories quickly cover fences, trellises, and arbors with lush vines and large trumpet-shaped flowers. Their blooms open each morning before closing later in the day.
These fast-growing vines enjoy full sun and regular watering while becoming established. They’re a simple way to add vertical interest to the garden.
Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella damascena)
Love-in-a-Mist produces delicate blue, white, pink, or purple flowers surrounded by soft, feathery foliage. Its unusual seed pods remain attractive long after the flowers fade.
Direct sow seeds outdoors in early spring. This easy-care annual grows well in full sun or partial shade and often reseeds itself for another display the following year.
