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There’s a unique joy in having a garden full of beautiful flowers. Growing flowers from seeds is an exciting process, but many gardeners end up starting their planting process late. If you’re one of them, you’re in luck. We’ve chosen 18 of the easiest annuals to grow from seed so you can enjoy a summer full of vibrant colors.
These annuals are an easy way to add brightness and color to your garden. You can plant these seeds directly in your garden soil, containers, or raised garden beds. Some of these annuals can even reseed themselves, so you won’t need to replant them each year. They usually mature and bloom within a few months, often within the same year they’re planted.
Cosmos (Cosmos Bipinnatus)
Cosmos are celebrated for their daisy-like flowers and bushy foliage, bringing life and color from summer to fall. They prefer sunny spots and well-drained soil, with minimal watering once established. The variety of colors—pink, white, red, orange, and purple—ensures a match for any garden theme.
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Calendula
Calendula is a bright, cheerful addition to any garden. Calendulas are easy to grow in well-drained soil and prefer gentle sunlight. Plant it in early spring to enjoy its vibrant blooms from late spring to early summer.
Additionally, Calendula’s are known to deter pests, deer, and rabbits, making them useful for protecting vegetable gardens.
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Pansies
These fast-growing, vibrant flowers work well in containers or garden beds. With bright and bi-colored edible flowers, pansies are popular in both fresh salads and desserts. They flourish in full morning sunlight and well-drained, fertile soil.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica)
The California Poppy stands out with its bold orange flowers and striking blue-green foliage. It’s an easy-to-grow choice that self-seeds. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, this drought-resistant plant is perfect for adding a touch of the wild to cultivated gardens. Direct sow in spring for a summer full of bright, cheerful blooms.
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Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus)
Sunflowers, with their iconic stature and bright faces, evoke childhood memories and bring joy to any garden. They range from towering giants to more manageable varieties, all thriving in full sun and fertile soil. These flowers are best sown directly where they are to grow, as they don’t transplant well. A favorite for their rapid growth and sunny disposition, sunflowers are a must-have for a vibrant summer garden.
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Marigold (Tagetes Spp.)
With a bushy growth and a spectrum of yellow, orange, and red blooms, Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to grow from seeds. They attract beneficial insects and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Sow marigolds directly in the soil in early spring for a continuous display of color through the warmer months.
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Celosia
Celosia’s tall, spiky flowers make a dramatic statement with their intense summer colors. This plant adapts well to various climates, flourishing in full sun and high temperatures. With minimal maintenance required, Celosia is perfect for adding height and texture to garden beds and containers.
Rocket Larkspur (Consolida Ajacis)
Rocket Larkspur, or Wild Delphinium, offers tall spikes of flowers in blue, white, pink, and purple, creating a stately effect in the garden. Due to its height, it prefers full sun or partial shade and may need staking.
This plant is a cool-season favorite, sprouting on its own when seeds are sprinkled in the garden in late winter. Its soft fern-like foliage complements the striking flowers, making it a standout in ornamental borders.
Cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus)
A classic cottage garden plant, cornflowers produce delicate pastel flowers. Cornflowers are undemanding, thriving in full sun and tolerating drought and poor soil.
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus Ooratus)
Sweet Peas charm with their climbing vines and fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red. Ideal for trellises or fences, they fill the air with their scent and continue blooming if regularly dead-headed. Sow directly in fertile, sunny spots for robust growth and a long flowering period. Their vibrant colors and sweet fragrances make them a garden favorite from spring to fall.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia Maritime)
Sweet Alyssum creates a fragrant carpet of tiny white, pink, and purple flowers that attract beneficial insects. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to poor soil and drought conditions. This low-growing plant is perfect for filling gaps in the garden or spilling over containers and rock walls.
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena Globose)
Globe Amaranth’s unique, pompom-like blooms in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and red make it a standout in containers and ornamental gardens. This fast-growing annual thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, attracting butterflies and requiring little maintenance.
Petunia (Petunia × hybrida)
Petunias are prolific bloomers, offering a range of trumpet-shaped flowers in purple, pink, white, and red. Their stunning display makes petunias a garden favorite. They are excellent for containers, hanging baskets, and rock gardens, blooming continuously with regular deadheading. Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny spot for a summer full of vibrant colors and lush growth.
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum Majus)
Snapdragons are unique for their cooler season blooms, with tall spikes of tubular flowers adding height and interest. They prefer full sun or partial shade and fertile, well-draining soil. Best grown in zones 4-11, snapdragons are a delightful addition to any ornamental garden, especially during the transitional months of spring and fall.
Zinnia
Zinnias are a garden classic. Their bushy plants produce large, colorful flowers in a rainbow of shades from early summer to fall. They love full sun and well-drained soil, and frequent watering helps establish a long season of blooms.
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)
Nasturtiums are known for their trailing growth and bright green leaves complemented by orange, yellow, and red flowers. They excel in covering bare soil and can crowd out smaller plants. Thriving in full sun or partial shade, they tolerate drought and poor soil, making them ideal for rock gardens and hanging baskets.
Morning Glory
Morning Glory vines are famous for their large, trumpet-shaped blue flowers that open each morning and close in the afternoon. They require full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering. These vines are typically annual but may be perennial in warmer climates. Plant morning glory for a dynamic, daily display of vibrant blooms.
Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella Damascene)
The whimsical name of Love-in-a-Mist is perfectly matched by its delicate blue flowers and fine foliage. Blooming in late spring and early summer, this plant is a low-maintenance choice that adds a soft texture to the garden. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is best sown directly outdoors in early spring.
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