Planting Blossom Seeds in July: Don't Miss Out on Vibrant Hues from Summer to Autumn
As the summer heat kicks in, it's the perfect time to sow fast-growing flower seeds that will bloom in late summer and early fall, bringing a burst of vibrant colour to your garden. Here are some options to consider.
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is an annual flower that thrives in full sun or a spot with a little afternoon shade. It prefers poor to average well-draining soil, but being a heavy feeder, it benefits from added compost or fertilizer. After seeds have germinated and grown a little, thin out the smallest seedlings to ensure appropriate spacing.
Sunflowers, with their tall, bright blooms, are another excellent choice. They prefer full sun and rich soil, so use support for tall varieties. Some varieties can mature in just 55 days, making them ideal for a July planting.
Zinnias, with their colorful, multi-petal flowers, are also fast growers. They thrive in well-draining soil and full sun, and pinching and deadheading promotes more blooms.
Marigolds, with their soft orange blooms, are known for their rapid germination and quick bloom times. African marigold 'Kilimanjaro White' is especially fast-growing. They like warm soil and full sun and are perfect for late planting.
Sweet Alyssum, with its tiny white or purple flowers, adds a romantic touch and is loved by pollinators. It grows low to the ground and blooms 50 to 60 days after sowing.
Poppies, with their beautiful flowers, are easy to grow and bloom around 55 days after sowing. They like full sun and don't need much interference to thrive and grow, but they don't make good cut flowers because they don't last long.
Sweet Pea flowers, a classic cottage garden staple, bloom from seed in as little as 50 days. They are available as the annual type (Lathyrus odoratus), not the invasive perennial type (L. latifolius).
These fast-growing flowers can be found at various online seed retailers, local nurseries, and major garden centers. By planting these seeds in July, you can enjoy bursts of colour from late summer into fall, perfect for filling beds, borders, or containers with vibrant blooms before the first frost.
[1] Burpee is a reliable supplier for sunflower and zinnia seeds with fast-maturing varieties. [3] Amazon and major garden centers carry calendula and other annual flower seeds suitable for July planting. [5] Common garden centers and seed catalogs carry marigold seeds, while calendula seeds are available on Amazon and garden suppliers. [7] Poppies can be found at various online seed retailers.
Mary Ellen Ellis, an experienced gardener specialising in flowers, native plants, and herbs, has written this article to help you make the most of your July planting. Remember to keep your seeds well watered during the hot weather to help them germinate quickly. Happy gardening!
- To enrich your home-and-garden lifestyle with a burst of vibrant color, consider planting fast-growing flowers such as calendula, sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, sweet Alyssum, poppies, and sweet peas.
- For a convenient and efficient way to source these fast-maturing flowers, explore options like Burpee for sunflower and zinnia seeds, Amazon and major garden centers for calendula and other annual flower seeds, various online seed retailers for poppies, common garden centers for marigold seeds, and seed catalogs for sweet peas.
