It’s time to start ordering flower seeds for the new year’s cut flower garden. This is my favorite part of the gardening process. Let me show you what I’ve decided on for 2021.
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After reading all my journal notes and looking at pictures from last summer, I made a final decision as to which seeds I would be ordering for the 2021 garden.
It wasn’t easy! I had to go back through my wish list 3 times to make cuts before finalizing my seed order.
How I Order My Flower Seeds
I am a loyal customer of Floret Flower Farm. The love affair started when I bought Erin’s Cut Flower Garden book and decided to build a raised bed garden for cut flowers and greenhouse after reading it.
But here’s the thing. Floret’s line of 2021 specialty seeds is available on January 5th. I’ve previewed their seeds and added the varieties I want to buy to a wish list. Then as soon as they open it up to the public, usually at 9:00 am PST, I go into the wish list and switch the items over to add them to the cast.
The seeds will sell out quickly!
When to Plant Your Seeds
These dates are as directed on the back of the seed packet. I am in gardening zone 8B with an average last frost date of April 18th.
Here are the seeds I am growing this year, by grow date.
Plant 10-12 Weeks Before the Last Frost
SWEET PEAS
I sow my sweet pea seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost, and plant in the ground after any threat of frost. Be sure to plant next to a support, like a trellis, to support the vines as they will climb 6-8″. I’ve chosen 4 varieties this year.
Sweet Pea ‘Jilly’ –
Sweet Pea ‘Carlotta’
Sweet Pea ‘Windsor’
Sweet Pea ‘Promise’
Plant 8-10 Weeks Before the Last Frost
SNAPDRAGONS
Snapdragon seeds can be started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Sow seeds indoors in trays and transplant once weather has warmed.
Snapdragon ‘Madame Butterfly Dark Red’
Snapdragon Sherbet Toned Chantilly Mix
BLACK-EYED SUSANS
Black-eyed Susans generally bloom from June to October, and add such a pop of color to the garden when most flowers are already spent in early fall.
Black Eyed Susan ‘Prairie Sun’
Black-Eyed Susan Sahara
Plant 6-8 Weeks Before the Last Frost
LARKSPUR
Larkspur is one of the easiest cut flowers to grow, and is cold tolerant and early to bloom. Direct seed in late fall or early spring, or start seed indoors in trays 6-8 weeks before last frost and plant out while weather is still cool. They do best when sown directly in the garden. To speed up germination, put the seeds in the freezer a week before sowing.
Larkspur Summer Skies Mix
Pincushion Flower Summer Sangria
PINCUSHION FLOWER
These flowers are hardy annuals that are easy to grow. Pollinators love them, too! Start seeds indoors in trays 6-8 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.
Plant 6 Weeks Before the Last Frost
Strawflower Apricot Mix
STRAWFLOWERS
Strawflower look beautiful both fresh and dried, and have a papery type bloom. Pollinators love them. Start seeds indoors in trays 6 weeks before last frost. Seed requires light to germinate, so be sure not to cover. Bottom water until seedlings emerge. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.
Strawflower Pomegranate
Strawflower ‘Vintage White’
Statice Sunset Mix
STATICE
These blooms are considered one of the best flowers to use dry, and is so easy to grow. It has papery flowers that bloom over a long period of time. Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost and transplant out when all danger of frost has passed.
Basil ‘Cinnamon’
BASIL
This is a great filler for bouquets and has a wonderful scent. Start seeds indoors in trays 6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Basil is very sensitive to cold, so wait until the weather has warmed to plant out.
Plant 4-6 Weeks Before the Last Frost
Marigold ‘Tangerine Gem’
MARIGOLDS
Each marigold plant produces 15-20 branching stems that reach over 24 inches. Start seeds indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Marigolds can also be direct seeded once weather has warmed.
ZINNIAS
Zinnias are easy to grow and are one of the longest lasting bloomers in the garden. They are easy to grow and great for beginners. Start seeds indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Zinnias can also be direct seeded once weather has warmed.
Zinnia ‘Mazurkia’
Zinnia Persian Carpet Mix
Zinnia ‘Queen Lime Blush’
COSMOS
Cosmos are very productive per square foot. What I love about these blooms, is the more you cut, the more they bloom. Start seeds indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Cosmos can also be direct seeded once weather has warmed.
Cosmos Double Click Mix
Cosmos ‘Cupcake White
Globe Amaranth Sunset Mix
GLOBE AMARANTH
This late summer bloom is another favorite, because the more you cut it, the more it blooms. They make a great dried flower as well. I love mixing it in with my dahlias late in the season. Start seeds indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.
Lupine ‘Sunrise’
LUPINE
To keep lupine flowers blooming, pinch early and pick hard. Start seeds indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continual harvest.
Tickseed ‘Incredible’
TICKSEED
Tickseed is a wonderful filler for a floral bouquet. Beneficial insects love it. Start seeds indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Can direct seed.
Plant Directly into the Garden
BEE’S FRIEND
Bee’s Friend is one of the most pollinator and beneficial insect friendly flowers that you can grow. Direct seed in the spring as soon as danger of frost has passed. Cover seeds with soil as they need darkness to germinate.
Eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’
EUCALYPTUS
Eucalyptus is a late season filler, and can be grown as an annual from seed if started early. Sow seed on the surface of the soil and do not cover. Seeds are very slow to germinate and take 45 days to sprout.
Foxglove ‘Excelsior’
FOXGLOVE
Sow seeds from late spring to early summer and plant seedlings in the garden at least 6 weeks before your first autumn frost. Plants will winter over in the garden and bloom the following spring.
Sunflower ‘Frilly’
SUNFLOWER
Sunflowers can be direct seeded into the garden or started in trays and then transplanted out after 2-3 weeks.
Sunflower ‘Ruby Eclipse
Shirley Poppy ‘Supreme’
SHIRLEY POPPY
Each fuzzy Shirley Poppy stem shoots up at least a half dozen buds, and as soon as one flower fades, another comes up. Pollinators love them. Direct sow into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. They can be started indoors, if you are careful when planting out not to disturb the roots too much.
Love-in-a-Mist ‘Cramer’s Plum’
LOVE IN A MIST
This is one of the hardiest early bloomers in the garden. Plants dislike being transplanted, so sow seeds directly in the garden in the fall or early spring.
I have learned so much about gardening from my friend Stacy of Stacy Ling Bricks ‘n Blooms. Stacy is a Master Gardener and has some great blog posts on how to propagate hydrangeas, how to have an everblooming colorful garden, and so much more. Make sure to check out her blog for more garden inspiration!
I hope this helps give you an idea as to when you should be planting your different varieties of seeds. Next week, I’ll be sharing how I plan and map out the garden for spring. Drop me a comment and let me know what you would like to to learn more about.
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Kim these are great tips!!! I’m so excited to start a bunch of these from seed this year albeit a month or so behind you! I can’t wait to see your pretty garden this year!
It will be fun to do this together Stacy! Boy I miss my garden and can’t wait to get back to it!
I think the day that Floret opens their spring sale is better than Black Friday. Last year, the zinnas were stunning, cosmos were tall but not many blooms, sweet peas didn’t do anything, sunflowers were just okay, and snapdragons (which I did on a whim) were absolutely fantastic-on the hot, dry plains of Texas!
I can’t wait to try it all again and will be stalking your garden and living there vicariously.
I’m looking forward to another planting season Margaret. And I agree with you about Floret opening up their seeds to the public. The good news is that i was able to get some of the seeds already last fall, so I’m ahead of the game. But I am right there waiting for them to show up on their sight. I hope the sweet peas do better for you this year. They have been amazing for me the last 2 years.
You’ve inspired me to start more flowers from seed this year. I love this list and can’t wait for next week’s post to see how you plan the flower garden. I’ve just ordered some seed catalogues, hope I’m not too late!
You’re not too late at all. I’m sure there are some flower seeds still available and as far as where I live, I don’t even start sowing seeds until the last week of January, first week of February. And most of the flowers I grow are 6 weeks before the last frost date. Ours is April 18th. I’m posting the planning process this week for sure, with some other posts as well.
This is my first year to plant a small garden in our new house and even newer raised beds. I love the idea of planting from seed … I’ve never done it. During the two years we lived in Washington I was indoctrinated into the wonders of Floret Farm and can’t wait to see their series on Magnolia Network. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration! xo
I am so impressed that Erin of Floret Farms has grown to what she has. She is so inspiring, and is the reason why I built my greenhouse and raised beds, I was so intimidated by growing seeds, but it’s actually been a lot of fun!
Kim
I definitely want to try to get some of their seeds. Thanks for all the tips.
Rachel
I can’t wait to see what you grow Rachel!