If you had a busy spring and didn't get around to as much planting as you were hoping to, don't fret. It's not too late to plant several seeds and starter plants in June to get a colorful display by August.
The trick is choosing fast-growing plants for your flower bed, as well as starter plants that have already started growing at a nursery (like these live marigold plants from Amazon). Getting them in the ground now means there's still time for seeds to sprout and roots to settle for flowering in August. In fact, now that early summer is here, you can direct sow many seeds and don't have to worry about transplanting.
Of course, it is important to choose the right plants to be successful, as you don't want to waste time on any that take a long time to grow and won't have time to bloom before the end of summer. Here, I talk trough six reliable options to choose.
Cosmos
While it's most typical to grow cosmos by starting them indoors early and planting out in spring, you can still plant cosmos this month for summer flowers.
You can direct sow seeds outdoors where they will sprout quickly in the warm soil. Make sure to just scatter the seeds on the surface and gently press them in, as they need light to germinate.
Alternatively, you can plant out seedlings and plug plants from a nursery. Choose a direct sun position and ensure soil is well-draining and nutrient rich, without being too nitrogen-heavy which will encourage leafy growth over blooms.
This dibber can be used to make holes for seed sowing and seedling planting. It has an oak finish handle for durability.
This cosmos blend has white, pink, rose, and crimson blooms. These fast-growing annuals can reach 1-6ft in height and make beautiful cut flowers.
This beautiful cosmos is a unique burgundy shade with a distinct sweet chocolate fragrance. It arrives in a three-inch pot.
Zinnias
Another fast-growing annual you can sow in June for blooms in just eight weeks is zinnia.
Zinnias are some of the most joyful blooms, coming in a wide range of colors from red and orange, to pink and yellow. They're incredibly easy and rewarding to grow.
You can also purchase zinnia starter plants which will already have stems, ready to bloom shortly. Just don't forget to pinch out zinnias to encourage branching, which will give you even more stems to cut for vases.
This zinnia shaker is easy to use. Just sprinkle the seeds in your yard in a sunny spot and water. Keep cutting them to encourage more blooms.
This pruning duo includes snips and bypass pruners. They're perfect for harvesting cut flowers and pinching out blooms.
This zinnia plant comes in a four-inch pot with a range of colos. You can plant it up in beds, pots, and borders with well-draining soil.
Sunflowers
You can grow sunflowers from seed exceptionally quickly, especially once the soil is warm in early summer.
Sunflowers have deep taproots and don't like being transplanted, so it is best to direct sow them this month. You can also opt for dwarf varieties to grow sunflowers in a pot.
Just take care to keep sunflowers consistently watered, especially during hot spells in summer, otherwise they will droop and wilt.
This planter is 18" wide, perfect for dwarf sunflower varieties. It has a beautiful ribbed design with a patina color.
This sunflower mix has a mix of varieties, including yellow, burgundy, and orange hues. They're ideal for cut flower gardens.
This sunflower growing kit has everything you need to grow sunflowers from seed. It comes with five types of sunflower.
Celosia
If you want to add a pop of color to your garden this summer, then celosia is a striking choice.
These plants have plume-like blooms in bright colors, from red and pink, to yellow and purple. Their striking appearance makes them great focal points in containers.
You can purchase garden-ready celosia plants now to plant up in the yard (just take care to choose a full sun position), or direct sow celosia seeds in June. These heat-loving plants will germinate fairly quickly, and you can expect to have a display by late August.
Use this flower fertilizer to give your summer blooms a boost. It has a 0-10-10 NPK ratio to promote blooming. Dilute with water to apply.
These celosia seeds are a mix of different colors, with the classic fluffy blooms. They're non-GMO and heirloom.
This red celosia comes in a 1.5 gallon decorative pot. It's suited to full sun and should receive consistent water to thrive.
Ammi Majus
Every cottage garden needs ammi majus, or false Queen Anne's Lace due to its similar appearance.
It's an upright annual with delicate clusters of white blooms resembling lace. By June, the soil temperature is perfect for direct sowing ammi seeds, and you can expect blooms to emerge from late August into fall.
Ammi needs well-draining soil and consistent moisture. You may find the tallest stems (which can reach 3-5ft tall) need staking as they can become top-heavy.
These ammi majus seeds are reliable annuals. They're a great addition to cut flower beds and pollinator gardens, forming a shrubby habit.
These 2ft bamboo stakes are ideal for supporting tall plants, ornamental and edible. You get 25 in this pack.
These ammi majus seeds are non-GMO and heirloom. You get 1000 seeds in this pack, and they germinate quickly within 14-20 days.
Marigolds
There are so many reasons why you should grow marigolds in your yard. Not only do they provide fiery color, marigolds are also one of the best pest-repellent plants.
Their scent and chemical compounds are known to deter a wide range of destructive insects, so it's popular to grow marigolds in a vegetable patch.
You can scatter marigold seeds and gently press them into the surface of the soil, as they need light to germination. Alternatively, you can purchase marigold plants now for more immediate blooms.
Don't forget to harvest marigold seeds once the flowers fade and store them for planting next spring.
These three marigold plants come 2.5qt pots. They should be placed in full sun and are best watered from the bottom for sufficient hydration.
These marigolds seeds are non-GMO and heirloom. There are over 9,000 seeds in the pack and they have a high germination rate.
These seed packets are perfect for harvesting seeds and storing safely to keep them viable. It has information to note down details.
Our guide to planning a cut flower garden and the best cutting garden flowers has so many more ideas for quick and easy blooms to grow during spring and summer for homegrown floral arrangements.
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