Bishy Barnabee’s Cottage Garden
All Flower Seeds
Every flower seed we grow, in one place
Growing flowers from seed — your questions answered
Where do I start if I am new to growing flowers from seed?
Begin with hardy annuals — they are forgiving, fast, and rewarding. Cornflowers, calendula, nigella, and cosmos all germinate readily, grow quickly, and flower within 10 to 12 weeks of sowing. Sow direct into prepared soil from March onwards, water gently, and thin the seedlings once they are a few centimetres tall.
What is the difference between annuals, biennials, and perennials?
Annuals complete their life cycle in one year — sow, grow, flower, set seed, done. Biennials take two years, growing leaves in year one and flowering in year two. Perennials live for many years, returning each spring from established roots. A well-stocked cottage garden uses all three for continuity and variety.
When is the best time of year to sow?
March to May is the busiest sowing window for most flower seeds in the UK. Hardy annuals can be sown earlier (autumn or February) and half-hardy ones a little later. Biennials are sown in summer for the following year. Perennials can be sown almost any time but spring gives them the longest growing season.
Do I need a greenhouse to grow flowers from seed?
No — plenty of cottage garden favourites are sown directly outdoors. A bright windowsill, cold frame, or unheated greenhouse will widen your options and let you start half-hardy and tender plants earlier, but it is by no means essential. Many seasoned growers start everything outdoors and accept a slightly later season.