Annual flowers from seed

Annuals are the least expensive and quickest way to fill a garden with colour. The photo above is of a garden that was completely bare in February but, by August the same year, after laying new turf, was filled with colour from annuals. All from a few packets of seeds I had sown that March.

Although it is a bit early to sow seeds it is time to think about it. Now is the time to get to the garden centre and buy your seeds along with some fresh compost, seed trays, labels and pots ready for sowing in March and April.

Over the next few weeks I will give my recommendations on those flowers and vegetables that I think will give the best results for new gardeners. They are either plants that are easy to grow or they give reliable results. And then I will give instructions on sowing. Remember that if you do not have ideal conditions, and if you are growing on the windowsill, you must wait till March before you sow or your seedlings will be straggly by the time you can plant them out, so be patient. Late sowings nearly always catch up. The flowers I am describing today all grow quickly.

But first, the technical bit. When you look at the packet there will be lots of information, including sowing time. Beware of the earliest sowing time stated, as I have explained above. But most annuals – plants that bloom the year they are sown and then die – are listed as Hardy Annuals (HA) or Half Hardy Annuals (HHA). Hardy annuals are plants that are sown direct, where they are to bloom and they can be sown from March to late May, outside. Frost does not harm them. Half Hardy Annuals are killed by frost and some take too long to bloom if they are sown in June, when frosts should be past. So we sow them, with protection, in spring, transplant them to grow on, and plant out in late May. I know many gardeners who think annuals are too much work. But I can’t agree. Not only do they include some of the loveliest of all flowers, most bloom for months and are very rewarding. Just think that those flowers in the top photo were all grown from seed that cost less than £20. They include calendula, French marigolds, rudbeckias, sunflowers and (in the foreground) pink and white cleome and dahlias.

Check the number of seeds on the packets when you buy. You should expect 80% germination and survival if you are careful so it is possible to plan your flower garden. But remember that ‘there is many a slip between cup and lip’ so I always get extra seeds.

Cosmos

If I had to choose just one easy annual it would be cosmos. The seeds are large and easy to handle, they germinate quickly, the seedlings are large and easy to handle and the plants grow quickly. I never sow these before April or they are too big in the pots when it comes to planting-out time. Cosmos range from 40cm to almost 200m high so check the height. Most are shades of pink, crimson and white and they bloom all summer above ferny foliage. They are quite bulky plants so fill spaces effectively. Smaller kinds are also effective in patio pots. Newer are the pale yellow ‘Lemonade’ and pastel ‘Apricot Lemonade’. Both are slightly more delicate plants with subtle colouring.

French marigolds

Marigolds are not very fashionable at the moment but they deserve a revival. They shrug off wet weather and are totally reliable. They are also very easy from seed. In addition to the very short kinds you can get seeds of taller kinds such as ‘Burning Embers’ which is essentially a wild marigold. This grows to 60cm and I used it throughout my borders last year where it filled in and looked very appropriate among shrubs and herbaceous plants.

Dahlias

Most people grow dahlia from tubers and that is the best way to grow the tall, double kinds. But dahlias are very easy to grow from seed and this is a great way to grow dwarf dahlias for the front of the border. The seeds germinate very easily and quickly and the seedlings grow like crazy. I also rarely sow these till April because they are so quick. You can get a good range of dwarf dahlias so they are well worth a try. The seedlings are large and easy to handle but rather brittle so need a bit of extra care if you are a bit clumsy.

Pansies and violas

Everyone loves violas and they are useful because they will grow and flower in part shade. With planning you can have them in bloom all year. They do not need a lot of heat to germinate so are ideal for windowsill sowing but they do need good light and they are not as quick to germinate as the others above. Some pansy and viola seed is of F1 hybrids which are very expensive so, if you are starting for the first time, choose cheaper kinds with a lot more seeds in the pack. For example T&M Viola ‘Rose Shades’ cost £3.83 for 30 seeds while pansy ‘Clear Crystal Mix’ costs £1.59 for 120 seeds – a much better buy if you are beginning.

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