Blooming Beauties: Nine Easy Flowers to Grow from Seed in the UK
Highland Wood .
Are you ready to add a splash of color and fragrance to your garden? Growing flowers from seed is an affordable and rewarding way to create a vibrant outdoor space. In the UK, there are plenty of options for easy-to-grow flowers that will thrive in your garden. Here are nine delightful blooms to consider, along with tips on how to sow them for optimal growth and beauty.
1. Marigolds (Tagetes)
Marigolds are renowned for their cheerful orange and yellow blooms, which add a pop of color to any garden. Sow marigold seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring after the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny spot for your marigolds, and water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
2. Sunflowers (Helianthus)
Sunflowers are iconic for their towering stems and large, cheerful blooms. Sow sunflower seeds directly into fertile soil enriched with compost in late spring, once the soil has warmed up. Plant the seeds 2.5-5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart, depending on the variety. Sunflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Provide support for tall varieties to prevent them from toppling over in strong winds.
3. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)
Nasturtiums are beloved for their edible flowers and trailing foliage, which adds a touch of whimsy to garden borders and containers. Sow nasturtium seeds directly into moist soil in late spring or early summer. Plant the seeds 2.5 centimeters deep and 20-30 centimeters apart. Nasturtiums prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water regularly and avoid over-fertilizing to promote lush foliage and abundant blooms.
4. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are cherished for their delicate fragrance and beautiful, ruffled flowers. Sow sweet pea seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, or directly into well-drained soil outdoors after the last frost. If starting seeds indoors, use biodegradable pots to minimize root disturbance during transplanting. Provide support for sweet pea vines to climb, such as trellises or bamboo stakes. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming and encourage new growth.
5. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Cosmos are versatile annual flowers that thrive in a wide range of growing conditions. Sow cosmos seeds directly into well-drained soil in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 30-45 centimeters apart. Cosmos prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering.
6. Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus)
Cornflowers, also known as bachelorβs buttons, are charming wildflowers with vivid blue blooms. Sow cornflower seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring or late summer. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart. Cornflowers thrive in full sun and tolerate poor soil conditions. Water regularly until established, then reduce watering to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional blooming.
7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula, or pot marigold, is a versatile herbaceous plant valued for its cheerful flowers and medicinal properties. Sow calendula seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring or late summer. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart. Calendula prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.
8. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Alyssum is a low-growing annual with delicate clusters of tiny flowers that emit a sweet fragrance. Sow alyssum seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring or late summer. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart. Alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to promote lush growth and abundant flowering.
9. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias are beloved for their bold, colorful blooms and long-lasting flowers. Sow zinnia seeds directly into well-drained soil in late spring after the last frost. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart, depending on the variety. Zinnias prefer full sun and fertile, loamy soil. Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
By following these tips for sowing and caring for nine easy-to-grow flowers, you can create a stunning floral display that will brighten your garden and lift your spirits throughout the growing season. Happy gardening!
1. Marigolds (Tagetes)
Marigolds are renowned for their cheerful orange and yellow blooms, which add a pop of color to any garden. Sow marigold seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring after the risk of frost has passed. Choose a sunny spot for your marigolds, and water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
2. Sunflowers (Helianthus)
Sunflowers are iconic for their towering stems and large, cheerful blooms. Sow sunflower seeds directly into fertile soil enriched with compost in late spring, once the soil has warmed up. Plant the seeds 2.5-5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart, depending on the variety. Sunflowers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Provide support for tall varieties to prevent them from toppling over in strong winds.
3. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)
Nasturtiums are beloved for their edible flowers and trailing foliage, which adds a touch of whimsy to garden borders and containers. Sow nasturtium seeds directly into moist soil in late spring or early summer. Plant the seeds 2.5 centimeters deep and 20-30 centimeters apart. Nasturtiums prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Water regularly and avoid over-fertilizing to promote lush foliage and abundant blooms.
4. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are cherished for their delicate fragrance and beautiful, ruffled flowers. Sow sweet pea seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, or directly into well-drained soil outdoors after the last frost. If starting seeds indoors, use biodegradable pots to minimize root disturbance during transplanting. Provide support for sweet pea vines to climb, such as trellises or bamboo stakes. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming and encourage new growth.
5. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Cosmos are versatile annual flowers that thrive in a wide range of growing conditions. Sow cosmos seeds directly into well-drained soil in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 30-45 centimeters apart. Cosmos prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and deadhead spent blooms to promote continuous flowering.
6. Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus)
Cornflowers, also known as bachelorβs buttons, are charming wildflowers with vivid blue blooms. Sow cornflower seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring or late summer. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart. Cornflowers thrive in full sun and tolerate poor soil conditions. Water regularly until established, then reduce watering to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional blooming.
7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula, or pot marigold, is a versatile herbaceous plant valued for its cheerful flowers and medicinal properties. Sow calendula seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring or late summer. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart. Calendula prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming.
8. Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Alyssum is a low-growing annual with delicate clusters of tiny flowers that emit a sweet fragrance. Sow alyssum seeds directly into well-drained soil in early spring or late summer. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart. Alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to promote lush growth and abundant flowering.
9. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias are beloved for their bold, colorful blooms and long-lasting flowers. Sow zinnia seeds directly into well-drained soil in late spring after the last frost. Plant the seeds 0.5 centimeters deep and 15-30 centimeters apart, depending on the variety. Zinnias prefer full sun and fertile, loamy soil. Water regularly, especially during hot, dry weather, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season.
By following these tips for sowing and caring for nine easy-to-grow flowers, you can create a stunning floral display that will brighten your garden and lift your spirits throughout the growing season. Happy gardening!
