10 Annual Flowers to Grow From Seed for Quick Color

Zinnia

One of the most popular summer annual flowers to start from seed, zinnia (Zinnia elegans) produces striking blooms in various shapes, sizes, and colors. "They’re bright, unapologetically colorful, endlessly cheerful, and somehow manage to look both playful and elegant at the same time," says Tabar Gifford, master gardener at American Meadows.

Direct sow zinnias in mid-May once the threat of frost has passed. "Scratch up the soil with a grading rake, broadcast the seeds, and cover them lightly with soil," says Andrew Bunting, vice president for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. He adds that you should thin the seedlings 1 to 2 inches apart as they mature for optimal growth.

Love-in-a-Mist

If you're looking to create more whimsy in your garden, love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascena) is the perfect annual to grow. "Everything about it feels delicate and dreamy—the ferny foliage, the soft blue and lavender blooms, the lantern-like seed pods that follow," says Gifford. "It looks like something a woodland fairy would plant."

In her own garden, Gifford says she direct sows love-in-a-mist in early spring because it prefers cooler conditions. "It also self-sows gently in many gardens, which creates these lovely natural drifts over time," she says. Where you don't want a plant, Bunting adds that you can weed out seedlings.

Marigold

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is a garden favorite for many reasons. It is a pollinator plant to bees and butterflies, and deters harmful bugs from taking over the landscape. It comes in various colors, including white, orange, and yellow, as well as several bi-color combinations.

Bunting recommends direct sowing marigold seeds in mid-May. Plant them shallowly–about 1/4-inch deep—so they get ample light to help them germinate. Thin the seedlings 1 to 2 inches apart as they mature to increase airflow and reduce competition for vital resources and nutrients.

Cosmos

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) adds a soft, romantic feel to gardens with its delicate, feathery foliage and daisy-like blooms. Gifford's favorite variety is seashell cosmos, which has fluted petals that look hand-curled. "They’re one of those flowers people always stop and ask about," she says.

Hand-sow cosmos seeds after frost danger has passed. "They germinate quickly in warm weather and bloom surprisingly fast," says Gifford. "They thrive on a little neglect, which makes them perfect for newer gardeners."

California Poppy

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is grown for its striking, vibrant flowers that dance gracefully above fine-textured foliage. "Their silky blooms open like tiny cups of sunlight in shades of orange, gold, cream, and blush pink," says Gifford.

Seeds can be direct sown in early spring or fall in mild climates. "One of the secrets to success with California poppies is resisting the urge to overwater or over-fertilize them," she says. "They thrive in lean soil and sunny conditions, and seem happiest when gardeners fuss over them less."

Larkspur

Use larkspur (Consolida ajacis) to add vertical drama to your plantings. "This upright annual reaches up to 4 feet tall with long spikes covered in white, blue, violet, pink, or carmine flowers," says Bunting.

Larkspur is a cool-season annual, so early spring or late fall sowing is ideal. "Once established, plants grow surprisingly quickly and bloom heavily by early summer," says Gifford. "They also make incredible cut flowers and often lightly self-sow, creating little surprise patches in future seasons."

Sunflower

Whether you're growing a tall statement variety or a smaller border type, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are easy annuals to direct sow—and offer quick results. "Once the soil is warm in late spring, seeds can be planted directly where they'll grow," says Gifford. "Full sun is essential, and taller varieties appreciate some protection from strong winds." Leave the seed heads in your garden after blooming to provide food for birds and squirrels.

Farewell-to-Spring

Farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena) is an underrated annual that should make an appearance in gardens more often. "The satiny blooms almost resemble tiny wild azaleas floating above delicate stems, and the colors—soft pinks, rose, salmon, lavender—blend beautifully into cottage-style plantings," says Gifford.

Plant seeds in cool spring weather once the threat of frost is over. "Seeds establish quickly and plants bloom heavily with very little fuss," Gifford says. "I especially love mixing Clarkia with cosmos and larkspur because the entire planting starts to feel loose, layered, and almost meadow-like."

Annual Phlox

Annual phlox (Phlox drummondii) is a workhorse in the garden that quietly fills gaps with nonstop color. "The clusters of starry flowers bloom in shades of pink, crimson, lavender, salmon, and white, creating this beautiful carpet of color that pollinators adore," says Gifford. "I especially love weaving Annual Phlox through borders because it softens edges and makes plantings feel fuller and more natural."

Seeds can be direct sown once frost is no longer a threat. Annual phlox seeds establish quickly with consistent moisture during early growth. "Once blooming starts, they often continue flowering steadily through much of summer with minimal care," says Gifford.

Calendula

Brighten your garden with calendula (Calendula officinalis), a cheerful annual that blooms in shades of gold, yellow, and bright orange. "Calendula has this sunny, herbal apothecary-garden charm that I absolutely adore," Gifford says. "I use Calendula in the healing salve I make every year, so this is a favorite staple of mine to plant." She recommends sowing in spring for months of blooms, and deadheading to help extend flowering.