Traditionally, I have grown very few annual flowers from seed in my garden. This year, I am changing things up a bit, I am preparing to plant several heirloom flower seeds. In this post, I’ll tell you a bit about the flowers I am growing. I’ll also tell you which seeds need cold stratification.
Alyssum – Carpet of Snow
Aster Crego
Aster Powderpuff
Bachelor Button
Calendula
Candytuft
Clarkia
Cosmos Early Sensation
Daisy Shasta
Evening Primrose
Forget-Me-Not
Gypsophila
Marigold Crackerjack
Marigold Sparky Mixed Colors
Pinks Double Imperial Mixed Colors
Poppy Red Corn
Snapdragon Tetra
Snapdragon Velver
Sunflower Giant Grey Stripe
Sweet William
Zinnia California Giant
Zinnia Liliput
Cold Stratification is the act of exposing seeds to cold temperatures before you plan for them to bloom outside. Some seeds can be stratified by sowing them outside in fall. Some seeds can be stratified by placing them in the refrigerator.
Knowing your last frost date is key to understanding when you should sow your seeds. Farmer’s Almanac is a resource for discovering the frost date in your gardening zone.
Flower Seeds That Need Cold Stratification
Aster Crego – 2 to 4 weeks
Aster Powderpuff – 5 to 6 weeks
Bachelor Button – 4 to 6 weeks
Candytuft – 3 to 4 weeks
Clarkia – 1 – 2 weeks
Daisy Shasta – 4 – 5 weeks
Evening Primrose – 4 – 8 weeks
Forget-Me-Not -2 to 4 weeks
Poppy Corn Red – 2 to 4 weeks
Snapdragon Tetra – 1 to 2 weeks
Alyssum Carpet of Snow
Image Credit: Valley Greene
2″ – 5″
“Bring soft beauty and sweet fragrance to your garden with Valley Greene Alyssum Carpet of Snow seeds. This 2-count, 140mg pack produces a low-growing carpet of tiny white blooms that are perfect for edging, containers, and rock gardens. With quick germination in just 8–10 days, it’s an ideal choice for fast, elegant ground cover.” Valley Greene
Features:
- Alyssum Carpet of Snow – dense clusters of fragrant white flowers
- Germinates in 8–10 days
- Perfect for borders, edging, containers, and ground cover
- Attracts pollinators – easy to grow and low-maintenance
“This aptly named flower – also sometimes called “Sweet Alice” or “Sweet Alison” – is our most popular alyssum variety for good reason. It can be planted quite easily from seed either indoors or out, and produces bunches of lovely white flowers. Plant Alyssum “Carpet of Snow” virtually throughout the season, but be sure to water regularly to ensure healthy germination.” Eden
“Brighten your garden with Valley Greene Aster Crego Giant Mixed Colors. … offers a dazzling mix of large, curled blooms in vivid shades. With a quick germination time of 8–10 days, these stunning annuals are ideal for borders, flower beds, and fresh floral arrangements.” Valley Greene
Features:
- Aster Crego Giant variety – vibrant mixed color blooms
- Germinates in 8–10 days
- Great for borders, beds, and cutting gardens
- Easy to grow and blooms throughout the season
Bachelor Buttons Double Mix
Image Credit: Valley Greene
20″ – 36″
Grow vibrant Bachelor Button flowers with Valley Greene’s Double Mixed Colors seeds. These fast-growing annuals reach 12–36″, thrive in full sun, and germinate in 7–14 days. Perfect for cutting gardens with rich hues of blue, pink, lavender, and white
Features:
- 2 count seed packets
- Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor Button)
- Grows 12″–36″ tall
- Double mixed colors: blue, lavender, pink, and white
- Days to germination: 7–14
- Planting depth: 1/8″ (3–6 mm)
- Spacing: 2″ apart, thin to 6″–12″
- Great for cutting and border gardens
- Tolerates poor soil, thrives in full sun
“This vibrant, multicolored selection of Bachelor Button flowers will add color to any garden or landscape.
“Bright blossoms are larger than common Bachelor Buttons (or cornflowers). They have long stems and bloom prolifically with very little care. Unfurl their charming flowers in any outdoor space for a vivid, picturesque display that lasts all summer.
*Both double and semi-double blooms will be produced.” Ferry Morse
Calendula Pacific Beauty Mixed
Image Credit: Valley Greene..
“Bring life to your garden with …. Pacific Beauty mixed color seeds…. These vibrant annuals bloom in stunning shades of yellow, orange, and cream. Germinates quickly in just 7–14 days!” Valley Greene
Features:
- Variety: Calendula Pacific Beauty – mixed colors
- Germination Time: 7–14 days
- Bloom Colors: Yellow, orange, cream
- Plant Type: Annual – fast-growing and easy to maintain
- Height: Grows up to 12–24 inches tall
- Best For: Borders, garden beds, and containers
- Pollinator Friendly: Attracts bees and butterflies
- Edible Petals: Great for teas, garnishes, and herbal uses
- Sun Requirement: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil
A vibrant mix of single and double blooms, Organic Pacific Beauty Mix Calendula offers shades of orange, gold, yellow, and cream adding a splash of sunshine to the garden. These well-branched plants produce tall, straight stems ideal for cutting, with flowers that bloom continuously throughout the summer. Edible, organic petals bring color to salads and elegance to baked goods.” Eden
Candytuft Umbellata
Image Credit: Valley Greene
Enhance your garden with the soft elegance of Valley Greene Candytuft Umbellata Mixed Colors. This 2-count, 250mg seed pack produces beautiful clusters of pastel blooms in shades of pink, lavender, and white. With a germination time of 21 days, these charming annuals are perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers.
Features:
- Candytuft Umbellata – mixed pastel color flower clusters
- Germinates in approximately 21 days
- Ideal for borders, edging, and rock gardens
- Low-growing, easy-care annual – adds long-lasting color
Candytuft Umbellata Mixed Colors
Image Credit: Eden
10″
“A beautiful mix of Candytuft is the perfect choice if you like them all! Candytuft is a versatile garden favorite that provides alternating tones of brilliant pinks, purples, and white. In addition to its aesthetic quality Candytuft also provides a pleasant fragrance that attracts birds, bees, butterflies – and humans!” Eden
China Aster Crego Mix
Annual
This aptly named flower – also sometimes called “Sweet Alice” or “Sweet Alison” – is our most popular alyssum variety for good reason. It can be planted quite easily from seed either indoors or out, and produces bunches of lovely white flowers. Plant Alyssum “Carpet of Snow” virtually throughout the season, but be sure to water regularly to ensure healthy germination.
“Callistephus chinensis
(90 days) Open pollinated.
“Annual. Bold ostrich-feather blooms hold well in wet or cold conditions. 2′ plants with 4” flowers in violet, lavender, pink, rose and fuchsia and white. This fall-blooming beauty holds well in wet or cold conditions, providing a bit of late-season color in the garden or bouquets.
Maule in 1915 asserted that they “surpass in size and beauty any other aster we have ever seen.”
China Aster Powder Puff
Image Credit: Eden
Annual
24″
One of the most popular cut flowers around! China Aster Seeds Powder Puff Mix provides large, full and long lasting blooms atop extra long stems, making them the ideal choice for both ornamental gardening, or cut flowers for vase arranging!
Plant China Asters in full sun, in a location with good drainage. You will be rewarded with huge blooms atop tall stems, perfect for cutting!
Cpsmos Early Sensation
Image Credit: Valley Greene
Early Sensation Cosmos is a fast-growing, early-blooming variety that produces a profusion of large, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and crimson. These tall, airy plants are ideal for garden borders, wildflower plots, and cutting gardens. With a germination time of 7–10 days, they quickly fill your garden with vibrant color and attract pollinators throughout the summer.
Features:
- Early-blooming variety with large, daisy-like flowers
- Mix of pink, white, and crimson blooms
- Germination: 7–10 days
- Grows up to 3–4 feet tall with fine, feathery foliage
- Long-lasting blooms from summer to frost
- Excellent for borders, cut flowers, and pollinator gardens
- Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil
- 350mg seed packet – perfect for home gardens and flower beds
Cosmos Early Sensation
Image Credit: Park Seeds
“Bring the classic charm of cosmos to the garden with Dwarf Sensation Early Mix. Enjoy the airy cosmos blooms on a more compact and manageable plant, perfect for smaller spaces or front-of-border plantings. This early blooming mix features cheerful, daisy-like flowers in a soft blend of pink, white, and rose tones. Reaching just 12 inches tall, these bushy, well-branched plants offer continuous color from early summer to frost. Known for their easy growth, excellent drought tolerance, and ability to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, this dwarf cosmos mix is ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance, high-impact color in a neat package.
“Commonly known as Mexican Aster, Dwarf Sensation Early Mix is a natural fit for cottage gardens, containers, borders, and wildflower plantings. Its shorter height makes it ideal for front rows or small-space gardens, where traditional tall cosmos may overwhelm.
This mix pairs beautifully with marigolds, zinnias, alyssum, and snapdragons, creating a lively and pollinator-friendly display. The flowers are also great for cutting, adding a soft, airy touch to fresh arrangements with their delicate petals and fern-like foliage.” Park Seeds
Cosmos thrive in full sun and average to poor, well-drained soil. Direct sow in the garden after all danger of frost as passed, or start indoors 4 to 6 weeks prior to last frost date. Dwarf Sensation Early Mix is particularly well-suited for hot, dry conditions and blooms earlier than standard varieties, extending your flower season. It delivers all the charm of traditional cosmos in a more refined form, making it a favorite for both beginner and experienced gardeners looking for effortless summer color.” Park Seeds
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Brighten your garden with Valley Greene Forget-Me-Not Cynoglossum Blue flower seeds. These easy-to-grow annuals thrive in light shade, bloom in 6 weeks, and germinate in 15–20 days. Ideal for borders or naturalizing with spring bulbs.
Features:
- Annual; height up to 12 inches
- Germination time: 15–20 days
- Plant spacing: 3″, thin to 6″ apart
- Thrives in light shade, cool climate
- Best in moist, slightly acidic soil
Create soft, airy accents in your garden with Valley Greene Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila) seeds. This 2-count, 200mg pack produces clusters of tiny white blooms, perfect for borders, flower beds, and floral arrangements. With germination in just 10 days, these delicate annuals add timeless charm and texture to any space.
Features:
- Gypsophila Baby’s Breath – delicate white flower clusters
- 200mg seed pack – includes 2 counts
- Germinates in approximately 10 days
- Great for borders, garden beds, and bouquets
- Classic filler flower – perfect for floral arrangements
Marigold Crackerjack
Image Credit: Valley Greene
Crackerjack Marigolds are one of the great delights of my late-summer garden. They smell like my grandmother’s short marigolds, but they climb to a height of at least 3′–an incredible show.
Crackerjack Marigolds – Health Benefits of Marigolds – and Dyeing Fabrics with Marigolds
Marigold – French Mix Sparky
Image Credit: Eden Bros
- Flowers are wide and rippled—great addition to a kid’s garden
- Annual; Fragrant and bright
- Great companion plant for vegetable gardens!
- Prefers full sun exposure
“Vivid and lively, French Marigold Sparky Mix is one of our most popular Marigold selections! Blooming in brightly yellow and orange, Sparky Mix makes a great mid level layer in your garden bed, growing to around 12 inches high.
“French Marigolds are a popular companion planting for veggies as they are known to help repel harmful pests!” Eden Bros
Pinks Double Imperial Mixed Colors
Image Credit: Valley Greene
Pinks Image Credit: OCS Seeds
In My Garden, Pinks
by Jacki KellumAs winter’s darkness sinks,
And sunshine yawns and winks,
My back yard drinks and blinks,
And in my garden, pinks
An old garden favourite with deeply frilled and sweetly scented double flowers. Tidy plants produce fragrant flowers in clusters with pinks, reds, and white predominating. Extended flowering is encouraged by timely dead-heading.
Quick Seed Details
- Type: Heirloom Annual Flower
- Height: 40 cm
- Features: Sweetly scented, double flowers; tidy plant habit; extended bloom with dead-heading.
What you need to know to Plant & Grow Double Mixed Dianthus
This fragrant flower is a cottage garden classic, bringing a lovely scent and vibrant colour to your annual borders.
- Site Selection: Choose a full sun location with well-drained soil. In areas with very hot summers, plants will benefit from some afternoon shade. Avoid wet soil
- Direct seeding can be done in mid to late May. Once seedlings are 5-8 cm tall, thin them so they are 25 cm apart.
- Sowing Indoors: For an earlier bloom, start seeds indoors in March. Sow seed 3 mm deep in a soil-less medium. Germination takes 10 days at a temperature of 21°C. Grow on under lights at a cooler temperature of 10-13°C before hardening off and transplanting out in mid to late May. [These dates vary according to you planting zone]
- Upkeep: Dead-head the spent flowers to encourage continuous and extended flowering. If flowering begins to fail later in the season, plants can be sheared back to help promote a second flush of blooms.
- .OCS Seeds
Pinks and Sweet Williams are similar plants but they are not exactly the same. Both are old cottage garden flowers.
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