If you are looking to add big color and interest to your flowerbeds, garden, and in pots or containers, make this the year you grow some of best and easiest annual flowers directly from seed!
Direct-seeding annual flowers is surprisingly simple. Bare soil, good soil contact, consistent moisture, and a bit of patience is usually all it takes to grow amazing color. And believe it or not, many annual flowers actually prefer to be grown from seed right where they will bloom instead of using expensive transplants.
In many cases, direct seeding allows plants to grow stronger, establish deeper roots, and produce more flowers than store-bought plants ever could.
The Best Annual Flowers To Grow Directly From Seed
Why Growing Annuals From Seed Makes So Much Sense
Cost is one of the biggest reasons gardeners fall in love with growing flowers from seed. A single packet of seeds usually costs far less than one nursery plant. Yet that same packet may contain enough seeds to plant an entire large flowerbed.
Instead of being limited to a few plants due to price, you can plant entire drifts, mass color sections, or large borders full of blooms without straining your budget.
Variety is another major benefit. Seeds open up creative gardening possibilities. You can plant tall varieties, dwarf types, multi-colored blooms, ruffled petals, double blooms, or even special heirloom selections.
But what really might be the biggest surprise to new gardeners is how easy it can be. Most of the best flowering annuals that grow easily from seed do not need complicated treatment. They often germinate quickly, grow fast, and bloom heavily. They also adapt well to many soil types and can thrive in both large garden beds or small backyard spaces.
For many gardeners, once they start growing flowers from seed, they never want to garden any other way again. With that in mind – here is a look at four of the best annual flowers that thrive with direct seeding!
Zinnias – Bright, Bold, And Perfect For Any Garden
Zinnias are one of the easiest and most satisfying annual flowers you can grow directly from seed. They germinate quickly, grow fast, and begin blooming earlier than most other flowers. And once they begin to bloom, they continue producing new flowers right up until the first frost arrives!
Zinnia seeds can be sown directly into the garden once the soil has warmed in late spring. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Simply loosen the ground, plant the seeds about a half inch deep, lightly cover them, and water. Affiliate Link: Zinnia Mixed Pack Seeds (Pink, Yellow, Orange, White, Purple)
Within a week or two, seedlings begin to emerge. From there they take off quickly, often blooming within 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Zinnias come in an incredible range of colors and bloom styles. Another big benefit is their ability to attract pollinators. Their bright flowers draw in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, helping support the entire garden. They handle heat extremely well and continue blooming even during the hottest days of summer.
Marigolds – The Perfect Annual Flower For Direct Seeding!
Marigolds are another outstanding flower to grow right from seed. They are known for being tough, forgiving, and incredibly reliable. Even gardeners who consider themselves beginners find great success with marigolds because they germinate easily and require very little special care. Affiliate Link: NatureZ Edge Marigold Seeds Mix.
Marigold seeds can be planted outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. They do best in full sun and average soil, and they do not require rich soil to thrive. Once planted, they need a little water until they sprout and establish. After that, marigolds are very drought tolerant and easy to maintain.
What makes marigolds extra special is their ability to protect the garden. Their natural scent is known to discourage certain harmful insects, making them a great companion plant for vegetable gardens. Many gardeners plant marigolds around tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables to help reduce pest pressure. See: The Best Marigolds To Grow To Repel Pests, Attract Pollinators – And Add Big Color!
Marigolds bloom in shades of yellow, orange, deep red, and beautiful blends in between. Some are small and dainty, while others produce large, pom-pom like flowers. Because they bloom nonstop through the summer season, they are excellent for lining walkways, filling garden edges, or brightening containers and raised beds.
They also handle poor soil conditions better than many other flowers. If you have areas where other flowers struggle, marigolds are often the perfect answer.
Listen In Below To Our Podcast On Growing Marigolds!
Cosmos – Graceful, Carefree, And Always Blooming
When it comes to graceful annual flowers you can grow from seed, cosmos might just be the best. With their tall, airy stems and delicate daisy-like blooms, they bring a soft, natural beauty to any garden setting. They are especially popular in cottage gardens, wildflower gardens, meadow plantings, and large informal beds.
Cosmos seeds can be scattered and lightly covered with soil after frost danger has passed. They prefer full sun and thrive in poorer soils where many flowers struggle. In fact, if the soil is too rich, they may grow more foliage than blooms.
Cosmos grow tall, often reaching between three and six feet depending on the variety. They sway beautifully in the breeze and bloom nonstop from early summer until frost. They also make wonderful cut flowers, lasting well in vases and adding beautiful color indoors. Affiliate Link: Cosmo Seed Assorted Pack
Like zinnias, cosmos attract bees, butterflies, and other important pollinators. They also self-seed easily, meaning plants often return year after year without any work from the gardener. Plant them once and you may enjoy them for many seasons to come.
Sunflowers – Tall, Impressive, And Fun To Grow!
Few flowers are as joyful as sunflowers. They are the very definition of summer with their tall stalks, bold blooms, and cheerful faces that seem to smile toward the sun. And growing sunflowers from seed is one of the easiest gardening projects there is, and they are especially fun for children and new gardeners.
You can plant sunflowers directly into the soil as soon as danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Simply push the seeds about an inch deep into the ground, water well, and wait. Germination happens fast, usually within one to two weeks, and from there the plants grow rapidly.
There are many different types of sunflowers. Some grow only a couple of feet tall, while giant varieties can reach heights of ten feet or more. There are single-stem sunflowers that produce one large flower, and branching types that produce multiple blooms. Affiliate Link: Sunflower Mix Seeds Pack
Sunflowers are great not only for their looks but also for the wildlife they attract. Bees and butterflies love their blooms, and birds enjoy their seeds later in the season. Many gardeners leave sunflower heads in place after the flowers fade so birds can feed naturally.
Here is to filling your beds with color and beauty this year – all by direct seeding some of the most beautiful annual flowers around!
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This Is My Garden is a garden website created by gardeners, for gardeners. Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books and speaking for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. They publish three articles every week, 52 weeks a year. Sign up today to follow via email, or follow along!