Sow and Grow: The 12 Simplest Flowers for Seed Starting (2024)

Let’s dive into a flowery adventure this year by trading your usual plant store haul for the enchantment of growing flowers from seeds! It’s not just about saving money; it’s about experiencing the journey from tiny seed to glorious bloom. So, get your gardening gear and get the kids involved, and let’s plant the seeds for a breathtaking flower garden!

Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)

These classic perennials, thriving in USDA zones 3-10, are a garden favorite. With their golden-yellow daisy-like flowers and deep brown centers, they add a burst of joyous color. Black-Eyed Susans are not just pretty; they attract butterflies and spread their cheerful blooms throughout the garden.

Bradbury’s Bee Balm (Monarda bradburiana)

Native to the Eastern U.S. and flourishing in zones 5-8, this member of the mint family brings fluffy, ragged blush flowers with purple spots to your garden. Sun-loving and perennial, it’s visually appealing and attracts beneficial insects, making it a win-win addition.

‘Cupcake Blush’ Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Cosmos, a garden favorite in zones 2-11, presents large, pale pink blooms with fern-like foliage. ‘Cupcake Blush’ adds a unique twist to the cosmos family, bringing elegance and beauty to your garden with minimal effort.

‘Fiesta Blend’ Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums are easy to grow in zones 9-11 and act as companion plant champions. With huge leaves and vibrant funnel-shaped blooms, they’re not just ornamental; they also attract beneficial insects and enrich your soil.

Hungarian Breadseed Poppies (Papaver somniferum)

Hardy annuals suited for zones 7-10, these poppies offer breathtaking papery blooms in various colors. Sprouting even on top of snow, they bring ornamental flowers and striking seed pods to enhance your garden’s visual appeal.

Lance-leaved Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

Native to parts of Canada and the U.S., this cheerful wildflower adds sunny color to zones 3-9. Its fluted bright yellow petals attract beneficial insects, making it a delightful and easy addition to your garden.

‘Purple Sensation’ Allium (Allium hollandicum)

Simple to grow from seed outdoors in zones 4-9, these alliums emit a mild oniony smell. Their showy purple balls of small flowers add visual appeal and repel aphids, providing both beauty and functionality.

Shrubby St. John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum)

Thriving in zones 3-8, this biennial beauty forms a 4-foot shrub smothered in bright yellow flowers. Loved by native beneficial insects, it adds beauty to your garden and serves as a lovely low hedge.

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

Thriving in zones 4-9, sunflowers are pollinator favorites with their low maintenance and varied sizes and shades. Native to the U.S., they bring brightness and joy to your garden, making them a perfect choice for any sunny spot.

Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus)

These profusely flowering perennials in zones 3-9 reseed themselves, creating a cottage garden favorite. With fringed flowers in various hues and a mild clove scent, they effortlessly bring color and charm to your garden.

‘Swiss Giant’ Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)

A tender perennial thriving in zones 8-10, the ‘Swiss Giant’ Strawflower boasts fluffy, papery flowers in warm shades. Easily grown from seed, it provides vibrant, long-lasting blooms, adding a whimsy and color to your garden.

Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)

Thriving in partial shade in zones 3-8, this bushy shrub offers lavender star-shaped flowers in late summer or early fall. As a butterfly host plant, aster adds color and supports essential pollinators in challenging garden spots.

Conclusion

As you embark on this seed-to-bloom journey, your garden is not just a canvas for vibrant colors but a testament to your nurturing touch. From Black-Eyed Susans’ golden hues to the dramatic heights of Sunflowers, each flower adds a unique charm. Whether you sow indoors or directly outdoors, these blooms promise beauty and a connection to nature’s cycles. So, with seeds in hand and a spark of curiosity, watch your garden come alive – a testament to the simplicity and joy of growing flowers from seed.