Hardy annuals are among the easiest flowers to grow. They cope with a frost, unlike annuals and come in so many varieties and colours. So, hardy annual seeds are fantastic choices for gardens, pots, courtyards and balconies.
Hardy annuals can be sown in Autumn, straight into the ground.
Because the soil is still warm and moist, the seeds germinate and form some good sturdy roots, through autumn, winter and into spring.
I normally sow mine in September but because we have had temperatures of 30 degrees recently in the UK, I will continue to sow into early October this year.
Once the temperatures and light levels increase in March, the plants are turbo charged into growth and flower much earlier than spring sown flowers.
I have chosen a few of my favourites to share with you in this post.
Fabulous cornflowers, great hardy annual seeds
First on my list is the beautiful cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), or Bachelor’s Buttons.
A very easy hardy annual wildflower that is quick to grow and blooms in summer, bearing masses of pretty, ruffled flowers on slender wiry stems.
Available in the classic bright blue, and also white, pink, deep burgundy, and red-purple.
These lovely flowers do not like being transplanted, so are ideal to direct sow into the sunny spot you would like them to grow.
Cornflowers are drought tolerant which is a huge benefit for our changing climate.
Additionally, they are a valuable source of pollen and nectar which attracts bees, butterflies, hoverflies and also moths.
I leave mine after flowering as the seeds are a fantastic food source for birds.
Fabulous hardy annual seeds and one of my favourites in my garden.
This year I am sowing four varieties; Blue Boy, Mauve Boy, Black Ball and a dwarf variety called Jubilee Gem.
I have provided a link below if you would also like some seeds.
I have noticed there is also a Red Boy, some white, pink and some Polka Dot varieties. So, let me see if I can stick to just four varieties after all!
Beautiful poppies
Next, I thought we should have some poppies.
Once you have some poppies in your garden you will probably never have to sow seeds again, as they seed themselves with abandon.
However, if you are like me and would like to try some different colours, you can add some more varieties and sow away merrily.
Primarily, as I love the colour purple, I sowed some beautiful poppies called Lauren’s Grape. A stunning deep purple, loved by the bees.
Last year I decided to add some red poppies and chose a variety called Ladybird. Pictured above. These were a fabulous addition to my garden and flowered prolifically for months on end. A fabulous treat for the bees and other pollinators.
Another seed which prefers to be sown direct and is not keen on being transplanted.
I have provided a link below if you would also like some varieties of poppy seeds.
Some lovely calendula
Next, we have the calendulas, Calendula officinalis, also known as the pot marigold.
Calendulas are a beautiful old cottage garden favourite, often used as a companion plant to help attract pollinating insects. Therefore, a great flower to plant near any vegetable or fruit you are growing.
Flowering from May to July from an autumn sowing. The flowers are edible, and the petals make an attractive colourful garnish to salads and other dishes.
Additionally, they are said to have healing properties and can also be used fresh or dry in teas.
Another flower that is best sown where it is to flower.
I normally grow Snow Princess; a really pale, primrose-yellow, which adds a lovely light touch to my borders and pots.
Last year I also grew a beautiful variety called Sunset Buff, pictured above. Masses of soft apricot petals with a mahogany red on the reverse. I can thoroughly recommend this one, if you like soft colours.
However, if you prefer the zingy types, there is a jolly bright variety called Neon plus some mid range orange flowers too. Also, a Tutti Fruity mix of orange and yellow, so flowers to suit every taste.
I have provided a link below if you would also like some of these hardy annual seeds.
Time for the salvias
Next, I have chosen the fabulous blue Salvia, or blue clary,
I grow several varieties including the beautiful blue varieties as seen above. The blue appears extra vibrant in the photo as I have clearly been painting something white. I am easily distracted by the garden!
One fabulous reason to grow them is because they are so good for pollinators.
Also, for the beautiful colours which really light up the garden.
Available as hardy annual seeds, they can also be bought as small plants.
If you prefer red flowers to blue, there are some fiery red varieties you can grow from seed. Blaze of Fire is incredibly bright and Scarlet Sage is similar.
I have provided a link below if you would also like some seeds.
Poached egg plants
Next on my list is the Poached Egg Plant (Limnanthes douglasii) Another lovely flower to grow, and so bright and colourful. An easy to grow variety of hardy annual seeds to scatter around.
These are very fast growing and loved by hoverflies, ladybirds and bees. They are low growing plants and will self seed to spread into a fabulous carpet of yellow and white blooms in future years.
Consequently, deadhead the flowers to remove the developing seed if you do not want a carpet of spreading blooms.
I grow some in borders, some in pots and some which have escaped into the edges of the lawn. As a result I have a sea of colourful flowers for the pollinators from late May onwards.
In fact, the overspill into the lawn measured 14 foot by 4 foot (4.2m x 1.2m) last year and was absolutely teaming with honey bees and hoverflies which was a fabulous sight to see.
I also sow more in March for flowers that bloom later, extending the nectar rich breakfast bar for all the pollinators.
If you are not keen on the yellow and white flowers, there is an all white variety named Meringue.
I have provided a link below if you would also like some poached egg seeds.
Beautiful Cerinthe Major
Finally, I have chosen Cerinthe Major, also called Honeywort or Blue Shrimp.
A beautiful flower that will be teaming with bees by March if you sow your seeds in the autumn.
I have always loved the unusual and exotic appearance of this lovely flower.
Such beautiful deep blue bracts, rich purple-blue flowers tinged cream and glaucous leaves.
A super little plant for tubs and borders which grows to about 60cm in height.
I sow more every autumn in my garden borders, as I cannot have enough of these lovely flowers.
Additionally, they will cope with semi-shade, and if happy will gently self sow for you.
I have provided a link below if you would also like some seeds.
Easy hardy annual seeds sowing in Autumn
Hardy annual seeds are so easy to sow, real troopers for borders and pots.
Sow seeds onto moistened soil in a garden border or compost in containers, and gently cover with a thin layer of the soil or compost on top.
Most seeds need to be sown thinly in patches or rows, 1cm deep.
Next, keep the area moist until the seeds germinate. With an autumn sowing, you might not have to water at all as the area may remain moist. Then leave them to grow into a beautiful display of flowers for you and the pollinators.
If you deadhead the flowers, they will continue to bloom.
I have added a link to an earlier post on hardy annuals when sowing in spring.
Sowing bee beautiful hardy annuals
I also buy my seeds from Thompson and Morgan and have provided links for these below.
Click here for Thompson and Morgan hardy annual seeds
This blog is an affiliate for Thompson and Morgan and Amazon. If you click on one of the links in this post, and make a purchase I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you
I hope you have enjoyed this post and will join me in sowing seeds for a colourful garden, a fabulous boost for wellbeing, and to help the pollinators.
Next post, more tulips for planting bulbs in November.
To see all my updates as they happen please enter your email address below and press the subscribe button.