Hardy Annuals: The Flowers You Plant in the Fall
As the temperatures begin to drop and the fall season sets in, it’s time to start thinking about planting hardy annuals for the upcoming season. Did you think you were done with seed starting? Not so fast—don’t put those seed trays away just yet!
Hardy annuals thrive in cooler temperatures and can withstand light frosts, making them perfect for sowing in the fall or early spring to ensure early blooms next season.
Why You Should Grow Hardy Annuals
Growing hardy annuals sure does have its benefits.
Spread Out Your Workload: One of the biggest advantages of hardy annuals is that they can be planted in the fall. Spring is often the busiest time of the year for growers, so getting some of your planting done in the fall can make a world of difference.
Take Advantage of Cooler Temperatures: Many hardy annuals thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring. These plants are well-suited to the early season, and by the time summer arrives with its heat-loving annuals, your hardy annuals will have already had their time to shine.
Fill the Gap Between Spring Bulbs and Summer Annuals: Hardy annuals are perfect for bridging the gap between the early flowers of spring bulbs and the heat-loving annuals of summer.
Growing and Caring for Hardy Annuals
Each flower variety has its own tolerance for cold, much like people do. I like to think of it like my family: My dad, who lives in Florida, isn’t very “hardy”—he reaches for a winter coat when it hits the 60s. Meanwhile, living in Michigan, I thrive in the 60s but avoid going outside once it drops below freezing. Plants are similar; each variety can only handle so much cold. Before you start sowing hardy annuals, it’s important to check their hardiness and match it to your growing zone. For example, if a plant is hardy to zone 7 and I live in zone 6, I’ll need to wait until spring to plant it. If a plant is hardy to zone 6, I can plant it in the fall and it should survive the winter.
Once planted, hardy annuals require minimal care. Regularly check for pests (generally mice and voles in the winter) and diseases and remove any weeds that compete for nutrients.
⚠️CAUTION⚠️ Your hardy annuals will look dismal during the winter. THIS IS NORMAL! As the temps start to warm in the spring, they will come back to life!
My Top 5 Hardy Annuals
If you’re ready to dive into growing hardy annuals, here are my top five picks. Each of these flowers is beautiful, a classic, and relatively easy to grow.
Rudbeckia is a must-grow hardy annual that brings a burst of golden-yellow color to any garden. It’s a long-blooming plant that attracts pollinators and makes for stunning cut flowers.
Feverfew is known for its small, daisy-like flowers that add a charming touch to any bouquet. It’s also a great filler flower that pairs well with almost anything.
Bupleurum is a unique hardy annual with delicate, greenish-yellow flowers and attractive foliage that adds texture to floral arrangements.
Larkspur is a beautiful hardy annual known for its tall, feathery spikes covered in vibrant flowers. It adds height and a touch of elegance to any bouquet, with colors ranging from soft pastels to deep blues and purples.
Sweet William is a fragrant, colorful flower that adds a cottage garden feel to any bouquet. Its long stems and vibrant blooms make it a favorite among flower farmers.
Some additional hardy annuals are:
Sweet Peas: Known for their intoxicating scent, and customers can’t resist a bouquet made entirely of these fragrant blooms.
Calendula: These bright, cheerful flowers are incredibly easy to grow and self-seed, making them a low-maintenance addition to any garden.
Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist): Super easy to grow, Nigella is a fantastic filler, offering both delicate flowers and decorative seed pods for your arrangements.
Snapdragons: Available in a wide range of colors, Snapdragons bring vertical interest to your bouquets and garden beds alike.
Bells of Ireland: Known for their tall, green spikes adorned with tiny "bells," Bells of Ireland add height, unique texture, and a fresh Irish Spring scent to your bouquets.
More Tips on Growing Hardy Annuals
If you’re excited about the potential of hardy annuals and want to learn more about how to set your flower farm up for success, be sure to download our free fall guide. This guide goes in-depth into the steps you can take in the fall to ensure a bountiful harvest in the spring. From preparing your beds to choosing the right varieties, you’ll find everything you need to know to make the most of your growing season.