Cool Flowers Part I: Five Hardy Annuals to Direct Seed in Early Spring
Want flowers earlier in the season? These hardy annuals can handle cool temperatures and light frost, making them perfect for spring sowing. Here are five of my favourite cool flowers to direct seed, plus a few more worth trying.
By this point in the year, I’m usually more than ready to move on from winter. The cozy sweaters have had their moment. I’ve done the fireplace thing. And once those extra few minutes of daylight start creeping in, I’m officially in garden mode.
If you’re itching to get growing too, cool flowers are one of the very best ways to start the season early.
These hardy annuals don’t just tolerate cool weather — they actually prefer it. They’re perfect for gardeners who are ready to sow something long before the heat-loving flowers are even thinking about it.
What are "cool" flowers?
“Cool flowers” are hardy annuals: plants that complete their life cycle in one season, but unlike tender annuals, they thrive in cool temperatures and can handle frost.
That’s what makes them such a gift in early spring. While other flowers would sulk, these get right to work, putting down roots and getting established while the weather is still cool.
Here's some inspiration for cool flowers! In the foreground is one of my favorite Calendula varieties, Indian Prince.
When can you plant them?
In general, you can sow hardy annual seeds as soon as the ground can be worked, or roughly 6–8 weeks before your last typical frost date.
You can grow cool flowers in two main ways:
- sow seeds or plant seedlings in fall
- sow seeds or plant seedlings in spring
Both methods work, and each has its pros and cons. But if you’re just getting started, spring direct seeding is simple, accessible, and a great place to begin.
How to direct seed cool flowers
Start with a prepared garden bed. Loosen the soil with a rake or garden fork, then sow according to the packet directions. Some seeds need a bit more depth, while others only want the lightest covering. Generally speaking, larger flowers will be planted deeper.
If you’re planting in rows, you can use the corner of a hoe to make a shallow trench, scatter the seed, and lightly cover it. After sowing, gently firm the soil so the seeds make good contact.
And if the weather looks dry, water them in with a gentle spray. You want moisture — not a miniature mudslide.
Tips for success
A few things can make a big difference when direct seeding hardy annuals:
- Use fresh seed from a trusted source.
- Sow generously, then thin later if needed.
- Mark your rows or planting areas well.
- Keep the soil evenly moist while seeds are germinating.
- Be patient — some varieties can take their sweet time.
This is the part that can feel a little nerve-wracking, especially early in the season, but these flowers are built for cool conditions. They know what they’re doing.
Some seeds will wait until the soil reaches the right temperature before germinating, and that’s completely normal. They may look like they’re doing nothing, but they’re not!
For me, nothing compares to the blue of this Nigella! This variety is called "Moody Blues." I almost get as excited by the gorgeous, purple-striped, balloon-like pods formed after the flowers fade.
My Five Favorite Cool Flowers for direct seeding:
|
Name |
Favourite Varieties | |
|
Larkspur |
Beautiful in the garden or in the vase! Incredible dried | Misty Lavender, QIS series |
|
Nigella |
The pods are just as fun as the flowers | Moody Blues, Mrs Jekyll (lt blue), African Bride, Albion Green or Black Pod |
|
Poppies |
Breadseed varieties make lovely dried pods and the graceful flowers are a favorite of honey bees | Florist Pepperbox, Purple Peony, Ziar Breadseed |
|
Bachelor Buttons |
Easy, early and so cheerful! | Blue Boy, Classic Magic |
|
Agrostemma (Corn Cockle) |
Delicate and whimsical, they add an airy texture and romantic look to bouquets | Ocean Pearls (white), Purple Queen |
Agrostemma, or Corn Cockle, on the left and Bachelor Buttons on the right.
Larkspur is stunning in the garden and the vase. It's also one of the best flowers for dried arrangements and wreaths since it holds its color well.
More cool flowers worth trying
Once you fall down the cool flower rabbit hole, it’s hard to stop. A few more beautiful options for spring sowing include:
- Calendula
- Ammi
- Chinese Forget-me-not
- Bells of Ireland
- Bupleurum
- Orlaya
- Honeywort
Some of these can also be started as transplants, which I cover in Part II.
Bread seed Poppies are prolific bloomers that bees adore! After flowering, they produce large (some varieties make extra large) pods that are perfect for dried flower arrangements.
Final thoughts
If you’re eager to get growing but the weather still feels a little rude, cool flowers are a great way to channel that energy into something productive.
They’re tough, beautiful, and one of the best ways to bring colour into the garden early in the season.
And if you’d like to go deeper into hardy annuals, I highly recommend Cool Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler.
You can also read Cool Flowers Part II for some of our favourite hardy annuals to start indoors and transplant out in spring.
Happy growing!
Sarah
More Cool Flowers eye candy for inspiration!
Bachelor Buttons 'Classic Magic Mix' on the left and Cerinthe 'Honeywort' on the right.
Monarda Lambada on the left and a bucket of "African Bride' Nigella papillosa on the right.
'Purple Peony' Poppy on the left and 'The Giant' on the right.
Orlaya
Comments
Great post! I already have too many things to start inside, so I am definitely interested to try some ‘cool flowers’. I’m always apprehensive about letting things get started too early(where I can’t micro-manage them!), here in SK, but I’ve read multiple assurances at this point, that they will do fine.
Hi Sarah, Tks for the info re cool annuals. My basement is getting full as well. Greenhouse goes up April 10ish.
Are you certain I can direct sow Orlaya and Bupleurum in PEI zone 5b? And if so when? I’ve always transplanted but would love to direct seed the first crop if you think I can. I just grow enough for myself and friends but love having cut flowers all season.
Tks and I hope you’re enjoying life in the Maritimes. We can tend to get our winters all at once this time of year. We call this snow farmers fertilizer (don’t ask me why). Happy Gardening. Jane
I am trying to make a native garden and I would appreciate any suggestion you could make regarding native annuals and perennials. Thank you D Crouchman.
Great article! I keep thinking I will try some early direct seeding soon – but we keep getting these small snowfalls every 4 or 5 days. You re-inspired me! Thank you!
Thank you, dear Sarah. Snow just started to stick here in RI! Lots of love from Marla
Ahhhh, yes, the seed trays already lining the south facing sunny windows and the next wave of seeds now to be sown. The higher sun angle and many more hours of daylight to be enjoyed, the winter soon behind us, we can hope! Lovely photos and I really must attempt to grow Monarda Lambada! I truly hope you have a very successful growing season and the trials, tribulations and frustrations behind you!