Easy Steps to Start Perennial Flowers from Seed

Are you looking to add some beautiful, long-lasting blooms to your garden without breaking the bank? Starting perennial flowers from seed is a cost-effective way to fill out your garden with gorgeous plants that will come back year after year. While it may take a little patience, the rewards are well worth it. In this article, we’ll discuss 10 perennial flowers that are easily grown from seed and provide you with some valuable tips for starting each one successfully.

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Benefits of Starting Perennial Flowers from Seed

Starting perennial flowers from seed may take a bit longer to establish and bloom compared to purchasing established plants, but there are several benefits to starting from seed:

Cost-effective way to fill out your garden
Greater variety of plant choices
Satisfaction of growing plants from start to finish
Healthier plants with stronger root systems

With a little know-how and patience, you can enjoy a colorful and vibrant garden filled with beautiful perennial flowers that you started from seed.

10 Perennial Flowers to Start from Seed

1. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

- Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last expected frost
- Perennial varieties germinate best if stratified after planting
- Can also be direct seeded in the garden once temperatures remain around 60 degrees F

2. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

- Can be started indoors or direct sown in the garden
- Barely cover seeds with soil, as they need exposure to light to germinate
- Warm climates can direct seed in fall for spring blooms

3. Columbine (Aquilegia)

- Press seed into the soil as it needs light for good germination
- Native North American columbine will readily self-seed on its own
- Other varieties can be planted indoors or out

4. Blue Flax (Linum perenne lewisii)

- Direct seed in mid to late spring or early fall
- Cover seeds with 1/4" of soil and thin plants to 6" apart
- Blue flax germinates best when directly seeded

5. Lupine (Lupinus)

- Direct sow seeds in the garden as they have tap roots and don't like being transplanted
- Better germination if seeds are treated prior to planting
- Plants often bloom their first year

6. Pinks (Dianthus)

- Start indoors or direct seed in the garden
- Barely cover seeds with soil and keep moist until seedlings emerge
- Some varieties self-seed and act like perennials

7. Primrose (Primula)

- Start seeds indoors or outdoors
- Transplant into shady spot after last frost date
- Leave time for newly sprouted plants to grow before hot weather sets in

8. Red Hot Poker / Torch Lily (Knophofia)

- Seeds can be slow to germinate and are often started indoors
- Chill seeds for 6 weeks prior to planting for faster germination
- Keep seed flats warm and moist during germination period

9. Shasta Daisy

- Super easy to start from seed
- Sow seeds 6-10 weeks before last frost date indoors or outdoors after frost danger has passed
- Seeds should germinate within 10-20 days

10. Yarrow (Achillea)

- Start seeds indoors by pressing them into damp soil
- Yarrow likes heat and moisture, so keep soil moist during germination
- Can also be direct seeded in the garden after frost danger has passed

Now that you have some tips on how to start these beautiful perennial flowers from seed, it’s time to get your hands dirty and watch your garden come to life with color and beauty. Happy planting!