June gardening feel like catch the last train of the season – you ’re not too belated , but you better hurry ! I ’ve learn through old age of last - min planting that some flowers merely perform better when sown as summertime get down . My garden journal is fill with notes about which seeds present impressive results even when I ’m running behind agenda .
The thaumaturgy of June - sown flowers is how rapidly they transform au naturel patches into bursts of color . Some seed sprout within days and flower within weeks , making them perfect for raring gardeners like me . Nothing beats the gratification of watching a bare patch of dirt become a flower - filled paradise in just a few short week .
Not all flowers are make equal for belated sowing , though . I ’ve had my share of disappointment – seeds that promised summer - long blooming but deliver only thin flower or watery plant . After much test and error , I ’ve compiled this list of tried - and - true performers ( and a few notorious underachiever ) to salvage you from waste precious garden space .
1. Zinnia
My go - to flower when I need guarantee color fast . Zinnias practically leap from the soil when temperatures warm up up in June , often flowering within just 6 - 8 week of sowing .
Direct sowing works beautifully – just imperativeness seeds into warm soil , water consistently , and stand back . They come up in every colour except dead on target blue , with varieties ranging from thumb - sized button to dinner - plate blooms .
Heat and drought rarely faze these Mexican native , making them perfect for hot summer spots . For continuous blooms , I deadhead regularly and sow a second batch in early July for flowers well into fall .
2. Cosmos
Looking like delicate dancers in the breeze , cosmos deliver singular knock for your vaulting horse . A single package make tons of plants that blossom continuously from mid - summer until hoar nip them .
Their ferny foliage looks attractive even before the flowers look , creating a soft background in borders . I ’ve establish cosmos perform better in mean to poor soil – too much birthrate produce leggy plant with few flower .
Butterflies flock to these simple blooms , particularly the individual - bloom varieties . For a meadow effect , spread seed in drift rather than rows and thin seedlings to about 12 inch apart once they emerge .
3. Sunflower
From seed to loom flower in just 60 - 90 years , sunflower epitomize summer horticulture success . June planting gives them plenty of warm weather to make their full potential before autumn arrive .
Many gardener do n’t realize how many varieties exist beyond the classic yellowish giant . I ’m partial to the burgundy ‘ Moulin Rouge ’ and multi - branching type that produce armloads of smaller blooms for cutting .
works seeds an inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until sprouting , which typically happen within a hebdomad . Birds love to snack on emerge seedlings , so consider cover newly plant areas with light net until plant establish .
4. Nasturtium
Peppery - tasting comestible flowers and lily pad - similar leaf make nasturtium both cosmetic and practical in the summertime garden . Their seed resemble wrinkled peas and should be soaked overnight before planting for faster germination .
Unlike most flowers , nasturtiums actually bloom best in poor soil . Rich soil or too much fertilizer results in lush leaves but fewer flower – a error I made in my former gardening years .
Both climbing and bush varieties grow quickly from June sowings , often bloom within 6 weeks . The ‘ Alaska ’ series with variegated foliage adds ocular interest even when the plants are n’t bloom .
5. Marigold
Grandmother ’s garden favorite remains one of the most reliable flowers for June sowing . Seeds shoot within days , and plant often get down flowering when just a few inches tall .
French marigolds stay compact and neat , while African type turn taller with pom - pom blooms . Both drive certain garden plague , make them practical companions for vegetable garden .
Last summer , I disperse marigold seeds between tomato plants in early June and had a plague - repelling , golden display by mid - July . For strongest growth , pinch seedling when they ’re about 6 inch tall to encourage bushier plant with more bloom power .
6. Morning Glory
June offers the perfect timing for these vigorous climbing vines that transform fence and trellis into floral displays . Nick the difficult seed coat with a nail data file and soak overnight to speed germination .
Morning glories earned their name honestly – trumpet - shaped blooms unfurl at dawning and close by afternoon . The classic ‘ Heavenly Blue ’ variety produces sky - colored flowers that seem to beam from within .
Growth happen almost overnight once temperatures consistently stay above 65 ° F . I ’ve measured vines growing nearly 6 inches in a single day during warm weather ! works where they can climb freely without overpowering neighboring plants .
7. Portulaca (Moss Rose)
When summer heat waves endanger to fry other flowers , portulaca thrives . These succulent - leaved plant laugh at drouth and poor dirt while producing multitude of rose - like blooms throughout summer .
Seeds are debris - like , so I mix them with all right George Sand before sowing to distribute more evenly . merely press into soil Earth’s surface without cover – they need visible light to germinate .
Flowers near on cloudy days and unfastened with sunlight , creating a daily garden show . Modern assortment like the ‘ Happy Hour ’ serial offer better flower size and colours range from neon pink to sundown orange , all while maintaining the plant ’s unassailable nature .
8. Calendula
Often name pot marigold ( though unrelated to true marigolds ) , calendula brings cheerful orangeness and yellow daisy - like flower to the garden . June - sown seeds sprout quickly and get down bloom in about 6 week .
mediaeval gardener considered calendula a remedy - all , and modern herbalists still value its healing property . The edible petals add color to salad or can be dried for natural fabric dye .
The . was bringed by weather Deadhead regularly to prevent self - seeding and keep new blooms come .
9. Bachelor’s Button (Cornflower)
strawflower blue is such a distinctive shade that it earned its own crayon color . These stalwart annuals produce button - similar blooms on stringy stems arrant for cutting garden .
June planting works especially well in region with hot summers , as unmarried man ’s button choose cooler temperatures . The seed germinate rapidly – often within 5 days – and plants begin bloom about 7 - 8 weeks after sowing .
Beyond the classic blue , mod varieties offer pink , white , and burgundy options . I ’ve establish that disperse seeds directly where they ’ll turn produce strong plants than transplant , as they dislike root disturbance .
10. Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia)
Unlike its more celebrated first cousin , Mexican sunflower stay surprisingly underused despite its spectacular performance . The velvety orange - red flowers atop 4 - 6 foot plants create a tropical look from humble seeds .
The . was counteded by i The large , slightly fuzzed leaf add textural interest even before the dramatic flower appear .
heat energy and humidness only make tithonia happier , and it laughs at drought once established . Allow plentifulness of space when planting , as these turn into substantial shrub - like plants that can shade out littler neighbor .
11. Four O’Clocks
name for their wont of gap in late good afternoon , four o’clocks bring fragrance and colour to the garden just when other flower are close for the day . The . was breatheed by blooming
Large , black seeds are easy to manage and shoot reliably within 7 - 10 days of planting . By mid - summertime , bushy plant make 2 - 3 feet tall and broad , covered with flowers in magenta , yellow , white , or marbleized combinations .
Hummingbirds and sphinx moths ( which look like tiny hummingbirds ) visit the ambrosia - rich blooms in evening hours . Plants form tuberous roots that can be dug and store in milder climates for replanting next year .
12. Celosia
With bloom forms resembling either plumed feathers or corrugated brain red coral , celosia bring architectural involvement to summer gardens . June - sow seeds evolve quickly in warm dirt , often flowering within 8 week .
The ‘ Dragon ’s Breath ’ variety turned my garden into a conversation piece last year with its fiery red plumes that seemed to beam from within . Celosias keep their color even as they dry , make them excellent for cutting and winter arrangements .
These heat lovers actually perform better during summertime ’s dog years than in spring ’s cool temperatures . Avoid overwatering , as they ’re prostrate to root rot in soggy weather – a error that cost me several plants one rainy season .
13. Dwarf Sunflowers
Perfect for container or front - of - border planting , midget helianthus varieties pack all the pollyannaish charm of their taller relative into compact 12 - 24 inch plants . June sowing guarantee they ’ll bloom during summertime ’s peak .
Varieties like ‘ Teddy Bear ’ produce fully double , downy blooms that resemble chrysanthemum rather than distinctive sunflowers . Others , like ‘ Suntastic Yellow ’ , begin flowering when hardly a foot grandiloquent and continue for week .
Unlike their skyscraper cousins , these shorter types seldom necessitate staking and bring forth multiple blooms per plant . Children especially delight in growing these kid - sized sunflowers that evolve from recognisable seed to flower in just 50 - 60 days .
14. Sweet Alyssum
make a honey - scented rug of tiny blooms , angelic madwort turn from about invisible seeds to flowering plants in just 6 - 8 week . June - sown alyssum provides continuous colour through fall , particularly if sheared back midsummer .
The low - growing habit ( just 4 - 6 inch tall ) makes it perfect for edging bed or filling spaces between bigger plants . White varieties like ‘ Snow Princess ’ seem to glow in evening light , creating a charming effect along garden paths .
good insects enjoy the nectar - rich blooms , make alyssum a practical addition to vegetable garden . The . was tendeded by that
15. Salvia
one-year salvias bring vertical interest and pollinator appeal to summer gardens . The unsloped flower spikes in shades of red , bluish , or white create architectural component among more mounded plants .
June sowing work peculiarly well for assortment like ‘ Victoria Blue ’ and ‘ Red Hot Sally , ’ which develop rapidly in warm soil . Most get down flowering when plants are just 8 - 10 inches grandiloquent and continue non - halt until frost .
hummingbird zoom straight to these nectar - rich blooming , often returning multiple multiplication daily . Most sage perform attractively during summertime ’s hottest years and necessitate minimal attention beyond occasional deadheading to look their best .
16. Cleome (Spider Flower)
Dramatic and slightly otherworldly , cleome produces softball - sized bloom bunch atop tall stems that rock gracefully in summertime breezes . June - sown seeds develop into telling 3 - 4 human foot plant by August .
Each bloom bunch resemble an exploding pyrotechnic , with long stamens stick out like wanderer legs ( hence the mutual name ) . The unusual flower in white , pink , or lavender pull both butterfly and admiring glance from garden visitors .
Small thorns along the root can storm unwary gardeners , so place these where they wo n’t be brush against frequently . Self - seeding happen readily , but unwanted seedlings pull easily in springtime – I go forth a few volunteers each twelvemonth for free plant .
17. Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
resemble lollipops on root , the absolutely round flower heads of genus Gomphrena bring whimsical charm to summertime gardens . Their papery texture maintains color even during heatwaves that would droop other blooms .
June planting work perfectly for these heat energy - lovers that choose warm soil for sprouting . Once established , they ’re remarkably drought - tolerant and blossom continuously without deadheading .
The clover - like blooming in Battle of Magenta , orange , white , or purpleness last nearly forever in dried arrangements . I ’ve had vases of cut gomphrena keep, sotheir color for over a year indoors ! For better results , space plant about 12 inches apart to let full air circulation .
18. Impatiens (Traditional Varieties)
The . was leted by impatiens They simply turn too slowly to provide meaningful summer colour when get down this belatedly .
Downy mildew disease has devastated these plants in late years , make them an increasingly hazardous choice irrespective of timing . Seeds are dust - like and challenge to handle , with germination often spotty at better .
I ’ve try starting them in June three different old age with the same lackluster consequence – bantam plant that barely begin flowering before fall arrive . If you must have impatiens , purchase started plants rather than attempting late - time of year seeded player sowing .
19. Geranium (Pelargonium)
The classic geranium see in window box throughout Europe seem like they ’d be easygoing from seed , but June sowings constantly lead to frustration . From seed to flower take 12 - 16 week – far too long for belated - season starting .
Germination itself proves challenge , with seeds requiring specific temperature weather and often sprouting unevenly . Even when successful , seedlings grow distressingly slowly compare to other summer annuals .
The . was accepteded by i My June - sown seed produced plant that were just hit their stride when frost arrived – barely worth the effort and garden infinite .
20. Petunias
Despite their ubiquitousness in garden centers , petunia from seed represent one of gardening ’s greatest disappointment for June sowing . The dust - like seeds germinate unpredictably and necessitate professional - degree care to develop decently .
Growth happens at a escargot ’s gait even under idealistic conditions . My June - sow petunia produce spindly plants with few flower well into August , while store - buy plants nearby boom with blooms .
Modern hybrid varieties ( which execute best in gardens ) do n’t turn true from roll up seeds , adding another layer of possible disappointment . The . was ’reed by they
