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If you're dreaming of a garden bursting with colorful flowers next summer, the best time to start is now. While many gardeners focus on enjoying this season's blooms, savvy green thumbs know that a little planning can pay off in a spectacular display the following year.
Late summer and early fall provide ideal conditions for many hardy annuals and biennials, allowing seeds to establish before winter and burst into life when warmer weather returns. It's one of the easiest ways to create a fuller, more vibrant garden without scrambling to plant everything in spring.
As outlined by gardening expert Caroline Maurer (@figmentcottagegardens), here are five beautiful flowers worth scattering into your garden beds now for a show-stopping display next season.
Plant These Seeds Now for a Garden Full of Flowers Next Summer
1. Hollyhocks
Towering hollyhocks are classic cottage garden favorites that bring instant charm and height to flower beds. Their tall spikes are covered in large, papery blooms in shades of pink, red, yellow, white and deep burgundy.
Sowing seeds now gives young plants plenty of time to establish strong roots before winter arrives. By next summer, you'll be rewarded with dramatic blooms that also attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
2. Verbena
Verbena is prized for its clusters of vibrant flowers that bloom for months and thrive in sunny spots. It's an excellent choice for gardeners looking to attract pollinators while adding long-lasting color to borders and beds.
Seeds sown now often benefit from the natural winter chill, helping improve germination when spring arrives. Once established, verbena is relativelydrought-tolerantt, making it a low-maintenance addition to the garden.
3. Canterbury Bells
With their delicate, bell-shaped flowers, Canterbury bells add a touch of old-fashioned elegance to any landscape. These biennials spend their first season developing foliage before producing their beautiful blooms the following year.
Planting seeds now gives them the head start they need to flourish next summer. Their pastel shades of blue, pink, purple and white make them especially striking when planted in groups.
4. Foxgloves
Foxgloves create unforgettable vertical interest with their tall stems lined with tubular flowers that pollinators absolutely love. They're another biennial that benefits from being sown well before winter, allowing plants to establish before flowering the following season.
Their speckled blooms add texture and drama to cottage gardens and woodland-inspired borders alike. While stunning, it's worth remembering that all parts of foxgloves are toxic if eaten, so plant them thoughtfully around children and pets.
5. Larkspur
Larkspur is beloved for its tall, airy flower spikes that sway beautifully in the breeze. Available in shades of blue, purple, pink and white, these flowers create a soft, romantic look in garden beds and also make excellent cut flowers.
The seeds naturally appreciate a period of cold weather, making now an ideal time to sow them directly where you want them to grow. With very little effort, you'll enjoy graceful blooms that add height, color and plenty of pollinator appeal next summer.
A few handfuls of seeds scattered today can transform your garden into a colorful paradise next year. By planning ahead and giving these flowers time to establish naturally through the cooler months, you'll set yourself up for a season filled with beautiful blooms, buzzing pollinators and a garden that's well worth the wait.
Related: How to Protect Your Garden From White Butterflies Before They Destroy Your Crops
