Perennial Flower Seeds I am starting 10 weeks before my last spring frost
It’s about 10 weeks until my last frost, so I’m getting a head start on perennial flower seeds that take a while to establish. This year, I’m making a real effort to start seeds at the right time—especially because I want to save money on plants. Last year, I spent so much money on plants, and this is my way of doing better by growing perennials from seed! Continue reading or watch video to learn about the seeds I am growing!
English Lavender
I haven’t had the best luck growing lavender from seed. I think I attempted it once, and while I got some germination, I lost the seedlings. But I’m trying again! Lavender should be started 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost, so this is the perfect time. It can bloom in its first year from seed, but it reaches full blooming potential in the second or third year.
The packet says to barely cover the seeds, so I just sprinkled them on top of the soil and lightly mixed them in. I’m using seed-starting packs I bought on Amazon a few years ago (unfortunately they are sold out). They come with individual dome lids, which I love because they allow for ventilation control. Since I haven’t had great success with lavender in the past, I decided to sow the entire seed packet. Lavender needs to be tricked into thinking it went through winter so I am leaving them in the fridge for the next 3 weeks befre putting them under the grow light in hopes this aids in a successful germinaon
Alaska Shasta Daisy
Next up is the Alaska Shasta Daisy. This perennial grows 3 to 4 feet tall and produces large white blooms in summer. The great thing about this variety is that it blooms in its first year from seed! I’m only sowing about six of these and will use the rest of the seed tray for something else.
Sweet White Dianthus
I’m also starting a hybrid dianthus variety from Johnny’s Selected Seeds called ‘Sweet White.’ It has beautiful white flowers and, like the Shasta Daisy, is a great addition to the garden. I didn’t have many seeds left in my packet, so I decided to sow them alongside the daisies to maximize space.
Maximilian Sunflower
I love sunflowers, so I thought it would be fun to grow a perennial variety. Maximilian sunflowers can grow tall, making them excellent for the back of a border or a naturalistic wildflower garden. They spread rapidly and need to be divided every three years. Since they spread so much, I’m being mindful of how many I sow, but I’ll also have some to gift to my mom and mother-in-law!
Verbena Rigida
This variety has gorgeous lilac-colored flowers that butterflies love. Anything that attracts pollinators is a must-have in my garden! I didn’t have as many seeds as I expected, so I’ll just sow what I have and hope for the best.
Hyssop
Technically, lavender is an herb, and so is this next one—Hyssop. I’m prioritizing plants that attract pollinators, and this one is a magnet for bees and butterflies. I’ve never grown it before, so I’m excited to see how it does!
Coleus
The last seeds I’m starting today are coleus. These take about 10 weeks to grow before transplanting, and I’ve made the mistake of starting them too late in the past. This year, I’m doing better! My goal is to grow coleus as houseplants. I’m starting three varieties:
Wizard Jade – A green and white variety
Giant Exhibition Palisandra – Deep purple, velvety-black leaves
Kong Scarlet – Burgundy-maroon foliage with green edges
One thing I love about starting seeds is finding unique varieties that aren’t always available at local nurseries!
Final Thoughts & Indoor Growing setup
In total, today’s seed-starting session included:
English Lavender
Alaska Shasta Daisy
Dianthus ‘Sweet White’
Maximilian Sunflower
Verbena Rigida
Hyssop
Three varieties of Coleus
I’m excited to get these perennials going because they’ll come back year after year, saving me money in the long run! My indoor seed-starting setup is simple, designed to blend into my living room since I don’t have a dedicated seed-starting space (see video).
