As the chill of winter slowly retreats, April emerges as a bustling month for garden enthusiasts. Amidst a plethora of tasks demanding attention, one stands out as a mainstay of mid-Spring horticulture: sowing flowers. According to insights from Horticulture Magazine, this essential activity heralds the arrival of vibrant blooms to adorn gardens and landscapes.
While some floral varieties necessitate indoor sowing prior to transplantation into warmer outdoor settings, others thrive when directly sown into garden beds. Here, we present a curated selection of ten flowers ripe for sowing this month. Additionally, native wildflowers, celebrated for their environmental benefits and minimal upkeep, offer an enticing alternative for green-thumbed enthusiasts.
Sweet Alyssum: Renowned for its ease of cultivation, this spring-sown flower promises a blossoming spectacle from June to October. Horticulture Magazine advises indoor sowing between March and April, with subsequent transplantation outdoors in May. Ideal for borders, alpine gardens, hanging baskets, or planters.
Amaranthus: With its striking appearance and edible spinach-like leaves, this dramatic flower merits indoor sowing in April before finding its place in ornamental beds, borders, or vegetable plots upon the advent of warmer weather.
Borage: A low-maintenance gem boasting captivating blue blooms rich in nectar for pollinators. Noteworthy for its edible flowers, perfect for salads and refreshing summer beverages. Once sown, it may self-seed under favorable conditions, obviating the need for yearly re-sowing.
Calendula: Radiant orange blooms adorn this garden favorite, suitable for direct sowing this month across many regions of the UK. Beyond its aesthetic allure, it beckons beneficial insects to the garden.
Cornflowers: A picturesque addition to mixed borders, boasting pollinator-attracting qualities. Sow directly into the garden in April or May for a burst of color and ecological appeal.
Cosmos: Revered for its cheerful and colorful disposition, Cosmos requires indoor sowing this month in seed trays or soil blocks, followed by transplantation next month after appropriate hardening off.
Marigolds: Sporting vibrant orange-yellow hues, these flowers epitomize cheerfulness and vitality. Indoor sowing in April precedes outdoor planting in May, serving as excellent companions for vegetable gardens.
Poppies: Resplendent meadow and cornfield inhabitants, these flowers thrive in various garden settings, including mixed borders and wildflower plantings. Optimal results are achieved through direct sowing in sunny, open locations, with frequent self-seeding minimizing maintenance efforts.
Sunflowers: Known for their effortless cultivation, these striking blooms demand indoor sowing this month, awaiting transplantation post-frost.
Nasturtiums: A beloved classic revered for its simplicity in both sowing and cultivation. Bright and versatile, these flowers require indoor sowing this month, with subsequent planting post-hardening off. Their edible flowers offer a myriad of culinary possibilities.
As April unfolds, the diligent gardener embarks on a journey of floral cultivation, laying the groundwork for a kaleidoscopic tapestry of colors and fragrances that will grace outdoor spaces in the coming months.