Flowers at a Glance

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  • ff: and following
  • height: typical height at maturity
  • season: peak bloom time
  • start: suggested number of weeks before transplanting
  • temp: suggested soil temperatures for good germination
  • days: number of days to seedling emergence
Name item# Botanical Name APB height uses season sow start temp days notes
Achillea (Yarrow) 4803ff Achillea spp. perennial 18-24" beds and borders, drying, cutting early summer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, direct sow in fall, transplant 8-10 60-65° 10–14 needs light to germinate
Ageratum 4811ff Ageratum houstonianum annual 24" beds and borders, cutting, drying early summer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 70-85° 4–6 can grow in partial shade, surface sow
Alyssum 4821 Lobularia maritima annual 2-4" fragrance, beds and borders, windowbox, container early summer-fall after frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 5-6 55-70° 8–14 can grow in partial shade, surface sow
Amaranth 4831ff A. cruentus, gangeticus annual 3-6' cutting, novel accent, drying, edible midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow in spring ASAP 6-7 70-85° 10–14 can grow in partial shade, needs light to germinate
Aster, New York 4849 Symphyotrichum novi-belgii perennial 36-48" beds and borders late summer-fall after frost transplant 6-8 65-70° 14–36 chill seed 2 weeks
Aster, China 4852ff Callistephus chinensis annual 12-30" beds and borders, cutting early summer-fall until frost transplant 12-14 70-85° 10–21 can grow in partial shade
Bachelor’s Button 4871ff Centaurea cyanus annual 24-36" beds and borders, cutting early summer-fall after frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 8-9 60-65° 7–14 can grow in partial shade, cover sow
Balloon Flower 4881 Platycodon grandiflorus perennial 30-42" cutting, beds and borders midsummer-late summer transplant 6-8 65-70° 15–30 surface sow
Bee Balm 4886 Monarda didyma perennial 30" beds and borders, cutting, drying midsummer-late summer direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 8-10 60-70° 14–21 can grow in partial shade, needs light to germinate
Begonia 4889 Begonia x tuberhybrida tender perennial grown as annual 8-12" beds and borders, windowbox, container early summer-late summer transplant 12-14 70-85° 14–28 can grow in full shade or part shade
Bells of Ireland 4896 Moluccella laevis annual 30" drying, beds and borders, novel accent midsummer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 60-65° 12–21 can grow in partial shade, surface sow, chill seed 5 days 50°
Bouncing Bet 5920 Saponaria officinalis perennial 1-3' beds and borders, ground cover, fragrance midsummer transplant 8-10 65-70° 14–28 can grow in partial shade, stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer
Broom Corn 5437 Sorghum bicolor annual 7-11' drying late summer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 70-85° 7–10
Bupleurum 4903 Bupleurum rotundifolium annual 2' drying, cutting, novel accent early summer-fall until frost transplant 8-10 60-65° 14–21 can grow in partial shade
Butterfly Weed 4906 Asclepias tuberosa perennial 18-30" beds and borders, cutting, novel accent early summer-late summer direct sow in spring ASAP, direct sow in fall 70-85° 14–28 chill seed 4 weeks 34-40°
Calendula 4911ff Calendula officinalis annual 18-24" beds and borders, drying, cutting, edible early summer-fall after frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant, direct sow in fall 6-8 60-65° 4–10 cover sow
Campanula 4930 Campanula carpatica perennial 6-8" beds and borders, groundcover, windowbox, container early summer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 8-10 65-70° 20–30 can grow in partial shade
Canary Creeper 4932 Tropaeolum pereginum annual 8' beds and borders, vining and climbing late summer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 6-8 60-65° 7–14 can grow in partial shade, cover sow
Catmint, Persian 4937 Nepeta mussinii perennial 12" beds and borders, ground cover spring-midsummer transplant, direct sow in spring ASAP, direct sow in fall 6-8 60-65° 10–14
Celosia, Plume/Spike 4950ff C. a. plumosa, spicata annual 3-6' drying, cutting, novel accent, beds and borders late summer transplant 8-10 70-85° 10–14
Cerinthe 4962 C. major purpurescens annual 12-18" beds and borders midsummer-fall after frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 6-8 70-85° 7–14
Chinese Forget-Me-Not 4965 Cynoglossum amabile annual 18" beds and borders midsummer-late summer direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 6 65-70° 5–10
Chinese Lantern 4968 Physalis alkekengi perennial 24" drying, novel accent, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow in fall 8 70-85° 14–21 can grow in partial shade, surface sow, invasive
Cleome 4982ff Cleome hassleriana annual 48" beds and borders, novel accent early summer-late summer transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 4-6 70-85° 7–14 chill seed surface sow
Coleus 4992 Coleus scutellarioides tender perennial grown as annual 10-12" windowbox, container, beds and borders, novel accent midsummer-fall until frost transplant 8-10 65-70° 10–14 can grow in full shade or part shade, needs light to germinate
Columbine 4998ff Aquilegia spp. perennial 18-30" beds and borders spring-early summer transplant, direct sow in spring ASAP 6-8 70-85° 14–28 can grow in full shade or part shade, needs light to germinate, chill seed 3-4 weeks
Coneflower, Prairie 5007 Ratibida columnifera perennial 1-3' beds and borders, novel accent midsummer-late summer transplant 6-8 70-85° 7–42 chill seed 1 week
Coreopsis 5012 Coreopsis grandiflora perennial 18" beds and borders, cutting early summer-fall until frost transplant 8-10 60-70° 7–21 can grow in partial shade, needs light to germinate
Cosmos 5017ff Cosmos bipinnatus self-sowing annual 3-5' beds and borders, cutting, screen midsummer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 2-4 70-85° 7–10 needs light to germinate
Cosmos, Yellow 5039 C. sulphureus annual 2-3' beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 2-4 70-85° 7–10
Daisy 5047ff Leucanthemum x superbum perennial 36" beds and borders, cutting early summer-midsummer transplant 6-8 70-85° 7–14
Delphinium 5052ff Delphinium x cultorum perennial 3-6' beds and borders, cutting, drying midsummer-late summer transplant 10 65-85° 14–21 chill seed 2-4 weeks
Dianthus (Carnation, Pink) 5061ff Dianthus spp. annual 12-20" beds and borders, cutting, fragrance midsummer-late summer transplant 8-10 65-70° 7–14
Drumstick Flower 5072 Craspedia globosa tender perennial grown as annual 1-3' cutting, drying, beds and borders midsummer-late summer transplant, , direct sow in spring ASAP 6-8 65-70° 10–30
Dyer’s Coreopsis 5904 Coreopsis tinctoria self-sowing annual 30" cutting, beds and borders midsummer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant, direct sow in fall 6-8 60-65° 4–10 surface sow, rugged
Echinacea 4547ff Echinacea spp. perennial 1-3' beds and borders, cutting midsummer-late summer transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 8-10 70-85° 10–21 can grow in partial shade
Eucalyptus 5075 Eucalyptus cinerea tender perennial grown as annual 2-3' cutting, drying late summer-fall until frost transplant 10-12 65-70° 14–21
Flax, Blue 5079 Linum perenne lewisii perennial 9-12" beds and borders early summer-late summer direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant, direct sow in fall 6-8 60-65° 21–28 can grow in partial shade
Forget-Me-Not 5091 Myosotis sylvatica 6-12" beds and borders, cutting, ground cover spring-early summer direct sow in spring ASAP 8-10 65-70° 8–30
Four O’Clock 5095 Mirabilis jalapa annual 24-36" beds and borders, fragrance early summer-late summer transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 6-8 70-85° 5–10
Gaillardia, perennial 5097 Gaillardia aristata perennial 24-36" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 6-8 70-85° 14–21 needs light to germinate
Gaillardia, annual 5098 Gaillardia pulchella annual 1-3' beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant 4-6 70-85° 7–20 needs light to germinate
Gazania 5100 Gazania rigens annual 8-10" beds and borders, windowbox, container midsummer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 70-85° 12 needs light to germinate
Globe Amaranth 5102ff Gomphrena globosa annual 2' beds and borders, drying midsummer-fall after frost transplant 8-12 65-70° 7–30 needs darkness to germinate, chill seed 5 weeks
Godetia 5111 Clarkia amoena annual 20-30" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-late summer transplant 4 60-70° 7–14
Helen’s Flower 5119 Helenium autumnale perennial 4-5' beds and borders, cutting late summer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 65-70° 14–21
Heliopsis (False Sunflower) 5113 H. scabra perennial 3-6' beds and borders, cutting, screen midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 10-12 65-70° 14–21
Heliotrope 5116 Heliotropium arborescens tender perennial grown as annual 14-18" fragrance, windowbox, container, beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 70-85° 21–28 can grow in partial shade
Hibiscus 5120 H. moscheutos perennial 2-3' beds and borders, novel accent late summer-fall until frost transplant 8 70-85° 10-30 use peat pots
Hollyhock 5122ff Alcea rosea self-sowing biennial 4-8' beds and borders, screen midsummer-late summer transplant, direct sow in fall 8-9 WM° 7–21 stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer
Honesty (Silver Dollar) 5132 Lunaria annua biennial 3' drying, novel accent late summer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant, direct sow in fall 6 65-70° 14–21 can grow in partial shade
Impatiens 5142 Impatiens walleriana tender perennial grown as annual 8-14" windowbox, container, beds and borders early summer-fall until frost transplant 10 70-85° 7–21 can grow in full shade or part shade, needs light to germinate
Indigo, Japanese 5911 Persicaria tinctoria annual 1-2' dye plant midsummer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 70-85° 20–60
Jacob’s Ladder 5144 Polemonium caeruleum perennial 1' beds and borders early summer transplant 8-10 65-70° 20–25 can grow in partial shade
Job’s Tears 5147 Coix lacryma-jobi annual 24-36" drying, novel accent fall until frost transplant 6-8 60-65° 7–14
Joe Pye Weed 5150 Eutrochium purpureum perennial 5-9' beds and borders, novel accent, cutting late summer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, direct sow in fall 65-70° 14–21 surface sow, stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer
Johnny-Jump-Up 5152 Viola tricolor self-sowing perennial 4-6" edible, beds and borders spring-fall after frost direct sow in spring ASAP, direct sow in fall 65-70° 12–14 can grow in partial shade
Kiss-Me-over-the-Garden-Gate 5154 Polygonum orientale annual 6-7' novel accent, screen, beds and borders midsummer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, direct sow in fall, transplant 4-6 70-85° 14–20 cover sow, stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer
Laceflower 5157 Orlaya grandiflora annual 2-3' beds and borders, cutting, drying midsummer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 4-5 65-70° 12–16
Larkspur 5160ff Consolida spp. annual 24-36" beds and borders, cutting, drying early summer-fall after frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant, direct sow in fall 6-8 60-65° 14–28 can grow in partial shade, cover sow, chill seed 1 week
Lavatera 5171 Lavatera trimestris annual 20-36" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 6-8 65-70° 14–21 can grow in partial shade, cover sow
Lavender 4585ff Lavandula angustifolia perennial 2-3' beds and borders, cutting, drying, fragrance midsummer-fall until frost transplant 8-10 70-85° 14–28 stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer, needs light to germinate
Lobelia 5180 Lobelia erinus tender perennial grown as annual 4" beds and borders, windowbox, container early summer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 65-70° 14–20 can grow in partial shade, surface sow, needs light to germinate
Love-in-a-Mist 5184ff Nigella spp. annual 15-24" beds and borders, drying midsummer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 6 65-70° 10–14
Love-Lies-Bleeding 4831ff Amaranthus caudatus annual 24-48" beds and borders, novel accent, drying, edible midsummer-fall until frost transplant 5-6 70-85° 7–10 use peat pots
Lupine 5195ff Lupinus polyphyllus perennial 36" beds and borders early summer direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant, direct sow in fall 6-8 60-70° 14–60 can grow in partial shade, soak see 12-24 hours, use peat pots
Madder 5913 Rubia tinctorum perennial 3-4' dye plant fall until frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 6-8 65-70° 7–21
Maltese Cross 5203 Lychnis chalcedonica perennial 28-40" beds and borders, cutting midsummer transplant 8-10 65-70° 7–14 can grow in partial shade
Marigold 5211ff Tagetes spp. annual 8-30" beds and borders, cutting, windowbox, container midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 3 70-85° 5–8 needs darkness to germinate
Mignonette 5255 Reseda odorata annual 10-15" fragrance early summer-late summer direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 65-70° 10–14 can grow in partial shade, surface sow, needs light to germinate
Milkweed 5256 Asclepias syriaca perennial 3-5' beds and borders, edible, fragrance midsummer-late summer direct sow in spring ASAP or transplant 3-4 65-70° 7-14 stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer
Millet, Foxtail 5257 Setaria macrochaeta annual 3-5' beds and borders, cutting, drying, novel accent midsummer-late summer direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 65-85° 10–21 surface sow
Millet, Purple Majesty 5259 Pennisetum glaucum annual 3-5' beds and borders, cutting, novel accent late summer transplant 2-3 70-85° 5–10
Morning Glory 5271ff Ipomoea spp. annual 8-12' vining and climbing, screen early summer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 3 70-85° 10–21 scarify seed with sandpaper or emery board, soak see 12-24 hours, use peat pots
Morning Glory, Bush Convolvulus tricolor annual 12-18" beds and borders, windowbox early summer-late summer direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 3 70-85° 10–21
Nasturtium 5280ff Tropaeolum spp. annual 12-16" beds and borders, edible, windowbox, container, cutting early summer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 3 65-70° 10–14 cover sow
Nicotiana, Only the Lonely 5300 Nicotiana sylvestris annual 4-6' fragrance, novel accent midsummer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 6-8 70-85° 7–14 needs light to germinate
Nicotiana, Lime Light 5301 Nicotiana alata annual 3' beds and borders, cutting, novel accent early summer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 70-85° 10–14 can grow in partial shade, surface sow
Pansy 5305ff Viola spp. annual 6-12" beds and borders, cutting, windowbox, container spring-early summer transplant, direct sow in fall, 8-9 60-65° 12–21 can grow in partial shade, needs darkness to germinate
Petunia 5321ff Petunia x hybrida annual 4-6" windowbox, container, beds and borders, ground cover early summer-fall until frost transplant 8 70-85° 7–14 needs light to germinate
Phacelia 5331 Phacelia tanacetifolia annual 18-30" beds and borders midsummer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP 60-65° 7–12 chill seed, surface sow
Phlox, annual 5335 Phlox drummondii annual 6-8" beds and borders, cutting early summer-fall after frost transplant, direct sow in spring ASAP 8 60-65° 7–14 can grow in partial shade
Phlox, perennial 5339 P. paniculata perennial 36" beds and borders, cutting late summer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow in fall 10-12 60-65° 21–30 can grow in partial shade, stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer
Pincushion Flower 5341 Scabiosa atropurpurea annual 36" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall after frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 4-5 65-70° 14–21
Poppy, Oriental 5345 Papaver orientale perennial 16" beds and borders, novel accent, drying spring-early summer direct sow in spring ASAP 7–14 needs light to germinate
Poppy, annual 5350ff Papaver spp. self-sowing annual 24-48" beds and borders, cutting, novel accent, drying midsummer-late summer direct sow in fall, direct sow in spring ASAP 14–21
Poppy, California 5381 Eschscholzia californica annual 8-12" beds and borders midsummer-late summer direct sow in spring ASAP 14–21
Queen Anne's Lace 5385 Daucus carota biennial/annual 36-50" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 4-5 60-65° 12–21
Rudbeckia, perennial 5393 Rudbeckia fulgida perennial 24" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-late summer transplant 6-8 70-85° 7–21 needs light to germinate
Rudbeckia, annual 5395ff R. hirta annual 24-36" beds and borders, cutting, novel accent early summer-late summer transplant, direct sow in fall, 6-10 70-85° 14–21
Salvia 5406ff Salvia spp. tender perennial grown as annual 12-18" beds and borders, cutting, drying midsummer-fall until frost transplant 10-12 65-70° 14–21 surface sow
Sea Oats, Northern 5423 Chasmanthium latifolium perennial 2-5' cutting, drying late summer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, direct sow in fall 65-70° 7–21
Snakeroot 5424 Ageratina altissima perennial 2-4' beds and borders, cutting, ground cover early summer-fall after frost direct sow in spring ASAP, direct sow in fall 65-70° 14–28 Sun or full or part shade. Stratify seed.
Snapdragon 5431 Antirrhinum majus annual 30-36" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall after frost transplant 8-10 60-70° 7–14 can grow in partial shade, chill seed 2 weeks needs light to germinate
Statice 5449 Limonium sinuatum annual 24-30" drying, cutting, beds and borders midsummer-fall until frost transplant 8-9 65-85° 7–14 surface sow
Stock 5475 Matthiola incana annual 12-18" beds and borders, cutting early summer-fall after frost direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 6-8 65-70° 7–14 surface sow
Strawflower 5483ff Xerochrysum bracteatum annual 14-40" drying, beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant 7-8 70-85° 7–14 needs light to germinate, surface sow
Sunflower 5500ff Helianthus spp. self-sowing annual 2-12' cutting, novel accent, screen late summer-fall until frost direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed, transplant 3-4 65-85° 7–14
Sweet Annie 5603 Artemisia annua self-sowing annual 36-60" fragrance, drying late summer-fall until frost direct sow in fall, transplant 6-8 60-65° 10–21 can grow in partial shade, needs light to germinate, stratify seed; place in moist soil and freeze or refrigerate or alternate between the fridge and freezer
Sweet Pea, perennial 5611 Lathyrus latifolius perennial 5-6' cutting, screen, vining and climbing midsummer-late summer direct sow in spring ASAP 60-65° 21–28 soak see 12-24 hours, cover sow
Sweet Pea, annual 5614ff L. odoratus annual 1-6' cutting, fragrance, screen, vining and climbing midsummer-late summer direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 6-8 60-65° 14–21 soak see 12-24 hours, cover sow
Sweet William 5061 Dianthus barbatus self-sowing biennial 18" fragrance, beds and borders, cutting early summer direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant 6-8 65-70° 7–14
Thyme, Creeping 5643 Thymus serpyllum perennial 2-3" fragrance, ground cover, beds and borders midsummer-late summer direct sow in spring ASAP, transplant, direct sow in fall 8-9 60-65° 14–28 can grow in partial shade, needs light to germinate
Tithonia 5647ff T. rotundifolia annual 4-6' beds and borders, novel accent, screen midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 6 70-85° 7–14
Verbena 5661ff Verbena spp. annual 8", 48" windowbox, container, beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant 6-8 65-70° 14–21 can grow in partial shade, needs light to germinate, chill seed 3 weeks
Wallflower 5675 Cheiranthus allionii biennial 9-12" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow in spring ASAP 6-8 60-65° 7–21
Zinnia 5700ff Zinnia spp. annual 20-42" beds and borders, cutting midsummer-fall until frost transplant, direct sow when soil has warmed or after danger of frost has passed 3-4 70-85° 7–14