Easy annuals to sow this spring for quick colour and fragrance
Spring Sowing: Hardy and Half-Hardy Annuals You Can Plant Directly in the Garden
Many summer-blooming annuals can be sown directly into open ground in spring. Some can go in as early as mid-April, while others should wait until later.
Here's a guide to early-sown annuals for a vibrant garden.
Cold-Hardy Annuals (Sow in Mid-April)
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) A frost-resistant favorite, sweet peas can be sown early—their seeds will bide their time in the soil until conditions improve. They bloom in 1.5–2 months, enrich the soil with nitrogen, and look stunning in bouquets or climbing trellises.
Viscaria (Viscaria vulgaris) A compact plant bursting with tiny flowers (up to 45 per stem) in pink, blue, lilac, or white. It blooms profusely from June through August and beyond, tolerates cold, and flowers in just 6–8 weeks.
Meadowfoam (Limnanthes douglasii) Low-growing (15–30 cm) with cheerful blooms resembling fried eggs (white petals with yellow centers). Attracts beneficial insects that prey on aphids and can be used as a green manure. Flowers appear in 6–8 weeks.
Sweet-Scented Mignonette (Reseda odorata) A modest yet fragrant plant with delicate blossoms and striking stamens. Its subtle, long-lasting perfume makes it ideal for planting near patios or seating areas. Quick to bloom and long-flowering.
Heat-Loving Annuals (Sow in May)
Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) Towering over 1 meter tall, this drought-tolerant beauty boasts large, gerbera-like orange flowers. Thrives in heat, blooms for months, and its sizable seeds are easy to handle.
Sulfur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) A bushy, compact variety with bright yellow and orange blooms (single or double). Flowers abundantly and for an extended season, perfect for borders or mass plantings.
Large-Flowered Flax (Linum grandiflorum) Delicate yet resilient, growing 30–60 cm tall with bold, simple or double flowers. Long-blooming, self-seeds readily, and spreads effortlessly from seed.
Annual Mallow (Lavatera trimestris) A tall, robust plant with showy flowers that forms a substantial bush. Blooms heavily and continuously, thrives in dry conditions, and requires minimal care.
Give these annuals a try—sowing them directly in the garden is simple and rewarding!
