My Seed Selection for the New Year’s Cut Flower Garden

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.

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.

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See all the blog posts in the GROWING A CUT FLOWER GARDEN series HERE.

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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 a 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!

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When to Sow Your Seeds

The recommended sow dates are on the back of the seed packets. I am in hardiness zone 8b with an average last frost date of April 18th.

Here are the seeds I am growing this year, in order of the seed sowing date.

Sow Flower Seeds 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 them 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

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Sow Flower Seeds 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 the weather has warmed.

Snapdragon Madame Butterfly Dark Red

Snapdragon Sherbet Toned Chantilly Mix

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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

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Sow Flower Seeds 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 the last frost and plant out while the 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

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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 the last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.  

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Sow Flower Seeds 6 Weeks Before the Last Frost

STRAWFLOWERS

Strawflower looks beautiful both fresh and dried and has a papery type bloom. Pollinators love them. Start seeds indoors in trays 6 weeks before the 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 Apricot Mix

Strawflower Pomegranate

Strawflower ‘Vintage White’

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Statice Sunset Mix 

STATICE

These blooms are considered one of the best flowers to use dry and are so easy to grow. It has papery flowers that bloom over a long period of time. Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost and transplant out when all danger of frost has passed.

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Basil Cinnamon

BASIL

This is a great filler for bouquets and has a wonderful scent. Start seeds indoors in trays 6 weeks before the 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.

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Sow Flower Seeds 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 the last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Marigolds can also be direct seeded once the weather has warmed.

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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 the last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Zinnias can also be direct seeded once the weather has warmed.

Zinnia ‘Mazurkia’ 

Zinnia Persian Carpet Mix

Zinnia Queen Lime Blush

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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 the last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Cosmos can also be direct seeded once the weather has warmed.

Cosmos Double Click Mix

Cosmos Cupcake White

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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 the last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.

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Lupine Sunrise

LUPINE

To keep lupine flowers blooming, pinch early and pick hard. Start seeds indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Succession plant every 2-3 weeks for continual harvest.  

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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 the last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Can direct seed.

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Sow Flower Seeds 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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Growing a Cut Flower Garden Blog Series

See all the blog posts in the GROWING A CUT FLOWER GARDEN series HERE.

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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!

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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 learn more about.

Until next time,

Happy Seed Planning!

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