Top-Picked Flowers to Cultivate from Seeds, Suggested by Gardening Experts
Saving Big on Your Blooming Paradise: 8 Flowers to Grow from Seed Instead of Buying Seedlings
Sunflowers are the epitome of vibrant, radiant flora. Damon Abdi, an assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University, advises, "These bad boys grow rapidly, representing those cheery blooms just a couple of months after planting." Easy peasy to sow from seeds, sunflowers will swiftly transform your landscape in no time. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, from the classic yellow to trendy ones in orange, pink, and even burgundy.
- Zones: 4 to 8
- Size: 1 to 15 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
- Care needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Morning Glory, a vining plant with flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, and lavender, is a unique addition to your garden. Abdi opines, "As a versatile plant, Morning Glory offers a distinct form and captivating flowers in the landscape." Sowing seeds will allow this vine to discover its footing naturally.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 10 feet tall x 6 feet wide
- Care needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
Sweet Alyssum, a hardy, low-growing plant, is perfect for gardens or containers. growers at Longwood Gardens suggest it for creating a charming, low-lying display of flowers. By propagating from seeds, sweet alyssum can explore its natural spreading form in your garden.
- Zones: 5 to 9
- Size: 3 to 10 inches tall x 2 to 4 inches wide
- Care needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
Luna Hibiscus is a bushy, colorful bloomer that offers large, saucer-like flowers in a range of hues. Damon Abdi suggests that "Luna hibiscus is easy to grow from seed, quickly developing and flowering in just a few weeks."
- Zones: 5 to 9
- Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 feet wide
- Care needs: Full sun, tolerates a variety of soil conditions
Zinnias present bold, daisy-like blooms that provide an elegant touch. Patti Stefanick, propagator and grower at Longwood Gardens, states, "With their diverse colors, zinnias offer a continuous dazzling display that keeps summer alive." Zinnias bloom quickly and thrive when sown directly.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 3 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
- Care needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Petunias cannot be ignored! With their velvety, trumpet-shaped blooms, petunias drape gracefully and add color throughout the summer. Stefanick shares, "Once established, petunias are resilient summer bloomers that will continue to dazzle the eye with a wave of season-long color." The 'Wave' series, known for its spreading habit, can sprawl up to 2 feet across.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: Varies by variety
- Care needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Cosmos offer feathery foliage and daisy-like blooms in various hues. Stefanick highlights their benefits, "Cosmo seeds germinate quickly and easily, thrive in various soil conditions, and require little care." Plant cosmos in the back of a flower garden bed for added height. They also serve as wonderful cut flowers.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
- Care needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Nasturtium brings a pop of color, simultaneously keeping pests at bay. Its bright, jewel-toned blooms in shades of yellow, red, and orange add sophistication to garden beds. Stefanick emphasizes, "The trailing vines that constantly produce flowers contribute to the effortless beauty of any garden." Nasturtium seeds germinate easily with minimal care.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
- Care needs: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil
Marigolds are pest-repelling flowers that grow in vibrant shades, ranging from yellow to burgundy. "Marigolds are tantalizing for their varied colors," Sarah Smith from Longwood Gardens says, "makes them an ideal addition to borders and containers with their shorter heights." Easily grow marigolds from seed and watch them bloom from summer through autumn.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
- Care needs: Full sun, well-drained soil
Rudbeckia Hirta 'Cherry Brandy' is a unique variety of black-eyed Susans. It displays a striking combination of velvety, deep red petals encircling a dark maroon center. Megan McGlinchey of Longwood Gardens recommends starting them indoors about six to eight weeks before planting outside. Be aware that Rudbeckia requires well-drained soil, whether clay, loam, or sandy.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
- Care needs: Full sun, moist, clay, loam, and sandy soil
- Martha Stewart recommends growing 'Rudbeckia Hirta "Cherry Brandy'" from seeds to add a unique variety of black-eyed Susans in stunning deep red and dark maroon to your flower gardens.
- By sowing seeds, gardeners can get the best value for their budget while expanding their garden's variety, as demonstrated by the case of 'Rudbeckia Hirta "Cherry Brandy"'.
- After successfully growing 'Rudbeckia Hirta "Cherry Brandy"', don't forget to display the striking blooms as cut flowers to enhance indoor arrangements.
- When planning your flower gardens, consider including 'Rudbeckia Hirta "Cherry Brandy"' among the lively mix of petunias, cosmos, sunflowers, and marigolds, all of which can be grown from seeds to save big on your blooming paradise.
