Flower Seeds to Sow in January
When it comes to adding a splash of colour to your garden, the selection of flowering plants becomes a delightful and essential choice. Sowing flowering plants in January in the UK sets the stage for a vibrant, lively garden throughout the year. From the delicate petals of Begonias to the majestic blooms of Delphiniums, each plant enriches the outdoor spaces with its unique charm and distinct flowering seasons. The selected range of plants ensures a diverse and enchanting display, creating an ever-changing tapestry of hues and fragrances.
Achillea
- Flowering Months: June to September
Achillea, also known as yarrow, is a hardy perennial with clusters of delicate flowers in various colours, such as yellow, pink, and white. It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any garden. With its feathery foliage and long flowering period, Achillea adds texture and colour to borders and wild gardens.
Antirrhinum
- Flowering Months: July to October
Antirrhinum, commonly referred to as snapdragon, is a charming annual or perennial plant known for its vibrant, tubular flowers that resemble dragon jaws. Available in a wide array of colours, it blooms profusely in spring and summer. Its compact growth habit makes it an ideal choice for borders, containers, and cutting gardens, providing a splash of enduring colour.
Auricula
- Flowering Months: April to June
Auricula, a member of the Primula family, showcases clusters of showy, multicoloured flowers with a sweet fragrance. This perennial thrives in cool, moist conditions with partial shade, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens and shaded borders. Its striking, unique blooms and evergreen foliage add a touch of elegance to any garden setting.
Begonia
- Flowering Months: June to September
Begonias are a diverse group of plants encompassing annuals, perennials, and shrubs, known for their striking, often asymmetrical, leaves and vibrant, showy flowers. They thrive in shaded areas and are well-suited for containers and hanging baskets. With their wide range of colours and forms, begonias are versatile and popular choices for adding texture and visual interest to indoor and outdoor spaces.
Cactus (Houseplant)
- Flowering Months: Throughout the Year
The Cactus, a resilient succulent, thrives on minimal water and bright, indirect sunlight. Its spiky stems house water, making it drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Perfect for adding a touch of intrigue to any indoor space, this plant requires well-draining soil and occasional sunlight exposure .
Campanula
- Flowering Months: June to August
Campanula, often called bellflower, offers an array of charming species with bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white. As a versatile plant, campanula can be annual or perennial, adding a splash of colour to gardens and borders. With proper care and the right conditions, it can fill your garden with delicate blooms throughout the flowering season .
Carnation (Annual)
- Flowering Months: June to August
A vibrant and popular choice for annual displays, Carnations boasts a wide variety of colours and a lovely, sweet fragrance. Its annual nature provides bursts of colour to floral settings, making it an excellent addition to garden beds, containers, or cut flower arrangements. With proper care, these charming flowers are sure to brighten up your outdoor spaces.
Chrysanthemum (Perennial)
- Flowering Months: September to November
Known for its timeless beauty and extensive range of hues, the Chrysanthemum, a hardy perennial, graces gardens with its versatile and long-lasting blooms. With the ability to thrive in various climates and soil types, this classic plant is a symbol of endurance and elegance. Its dazzling array of colours and petal shapes make it a beloved choice for gardeners seeking a perennial showstopper.
Cineraria maritima
- Flowering Months: June to August
Commonly known as Dusty Miller, this hardy perennial acclaimed for its ornamental silvery foliage and vibrant, daisy-like blooms. This Mediterranean native is particularly valued for its ability to thrive in coastal regions, owing to its remarkable tolerance to salty air and drought conditions. The plant’s striking appearance and adaptability make it a favourite among gardeners seeking to add a touch of ethereal charm to their landscapes.
Clematis
- Flowering Months: May to September
A diverse genus of approximately 300 species of flowering vines and shrubs, captivates with its stunning array of blossoms in colours ranging from rich, deep purples to delicate, pristine whites. Known for their graceful, vigorous growth, these climbers are a popular choice for trellises, walls, or pergolas in gardens and landscapes. With a wide variety of bloom sizes and shapes, the Clematis offers an enchanting versatility that elevates any outdoor space with its natural beauty.
Cobea
- Flowering Months: July to September
Also known as the Cup and Saucer Vine, is an impressive annual climber distinguished by its large, bell-shaped flowers that elegantly unfold to reveal their intricate beauty. This fast-growing vine is cherished for its ability to create vertical interest in gardens, with its striking blooms and heart-shaped leaves. A native of tropical America, the Cobea adds a touch of exotic allure to any outdoor setting, providing an enchanting focal point that draws admiration from all who encounter it.
Coleus
- Flowering Months: May to October
A widely celebrated foliage plant, is renowned for its kaleidoscopic array of colours and patterns, ranging from deep, velvety burgundies to vibrant greens. This versatile herbaceous plant is prized for its adaptability to various light conditions, thriving equally well in sun-dappled areas and shaded corners. With its vivid and varied foliage, the Coleus injects a bold splash of colour and texture into garden beds, borders, and container plantings, as well as indoor spaces, making it a cherished and beloved addition to any horticultural display.
Coreopsis
- Flowering Months: June to September
Coreopsis is a vibrant and versatile perennial flowering plant that adds a pop of colour to any garden. Its daisy-like blooms come in shades of yellow, pink, and red, attracting butterflies and bees with their nectar-rich centres. Known for their long-lasting blooms, Coreopsis is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun.
Delphinium
- Flowering Months: June to August
Delphinium stands tall with its graceful spires of blue, pink, white, or purple blossoms. These striking perennial flowers prefer moist, fertile soil and full sun. Delphiniums bring vertical interest to landscapes, often attracting hummingbirds with their beautiful blooms.
Dianthus (Annual)
- Flowering Months: June to August
Dianthus also also known as annual pinks, are charming flowering plants with a fragrant scent. These compact annuals produce ruffled blooms in various shades, from white to deep red, blooming profusely throughout the summer. They thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil and make excellent additions to borders and containers.
Eustoma
- Flowering Months: June to August
Commonly known as Lisianthus, features delicate, rose-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple. These elegant annuals prefer well-drained, fertile soil and full sun. Lisianthus blooms make stunning cut flowers, perfect for bouquets and floral arrangements, adding a touch of sophistication to any setting.
Felicia
- Flowering Months: June to September
Commonly known as the Blue Daisy, is a charming evergreen perennial. Featuring striking blue, daisy-like flowers with golden centres, it thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Felicia blooms profusely throughout the summer, attracting bees and butterflies to its sweet nectar. This South African native plant is a lovely addition to rock gardens or borders, adding a touch of vibrant colour and elegance.
Fuchsia
- Flowering Months: June to September
Fuchsia with its pendulous, bell-shaped flowers in vivid hues of pink, purple, and red, is a popular choice for hanging baskets and containers. These tender perennials prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Fuchsias are beloved for their long-lasting blooms, which dangle delicately like colourful jewels, attracting hummingbirds to gardens with their nectar-rich flowers.
Geranium
- Flowering Months: May to September
Geraniums ,also known as Pelargoniums, are a diverse group of flowering plants cherished for their vibrant blooms and aromatic foliage. These tender perennials are often grown as annuals in cooler climates, producing an array of colours from soft pinks and whites to vivid reds and purples. With their distinctive, often zonal, foliage and clusters of delicate, five-petaled flowers, pelargoniums are prized for their long-lasting blooms and easy-growing nature. They flourish in well-drained soil and full sun, making them perfect for containers, borders, and hanging baskets, adding a splash of colour and a delightful fragrance to any garden or outdoor space.
Himalayan Poppy
- Flowering Months: May to July
Himalayan Poppy also known as Meconopsis, is a stunning yet challenging plant to grow. Renowned for its large, delicate sky-blue flowers resembling crepe paper, this perennial thrives in cool, moist conditions with well-drained, acidic soil. Native to the Himalayas, these poppies add a touch of exotic beauty to gardens but require specific care to flourish. While demanding in their growing requirements, the spectacular blooms of the Himalayan Poppy make it a coveted addition to plant collections for those willing to provide the necessary cool, sheltered conditions.
Laurentia
- Flowering Months: June to September
Laurentia, also known as Blue Star Creeper, is a charming and low-growing perennial with delicate, star-shaped, sky blue flowers. This versatile plant thrives in partial to full sun and moist, well-drained soil, making it an ideal choice for rock gardens, borders, and as a ground cover. Laurentia’s prolific blooms attract butterflies and bees, adding a touch of tranquillity and natural beauty to any garden.
Lavender
- Flowering Months: June to August
Lavender, a popular herb with fragrant, slender spikes of purple, pink, or white flowers, is cherished for its heavenly scent and culinary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. This hardy perennial thrives in well-drained, alkaline soil and full sun, exuding an aromatic fragrance that attracts pollinators while repelling pests. Whether used in herb gardens, borders, or as a fragrant addition to potpourri and essential oils, lavender’s timeless allure and versatility make it an essential plant for any garden.
Lobelia
- Flowering Months: June to October
Lobelia, with its profusion of dainty, tubular blossoms in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink, is a favourite for adding vibrant colour to garden borders, hanging baskets, and containers. This versatile annual or perennial thrives in part shade and moist, well-drained soil, attracting bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers. Whether cascading gracefully from containers or providing a pop of colour in borders, lobelia’s charming blooms and ease of care make it a versatile and delightful addition to any garden.
Lychnis
- Flowering Months*: May to August
Lychnis, also known as Maltese Cross or Campion, is a striking flowering plant prized for its clusters of fiery, scarlet, pink, or white blooms, which rise from low-growing foliage. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, adding a bold splash of colour to cottage gardens, borders, and rockeries. Lychnis’s long-lasting flowers are magnets for pollinators, enhancing the natural vibrancy and charm of the garden with their captivating display.
Platycodon
- Flowering Months: June to August
Platycodon, popularly known as Balloon Flower, is a delightful perennial, prized for its unique balloon-shaped buds that burst open into star-shaped blooms in shades of blue, white, or pink. This hardy plant thrives in well-drained soil and sunny locations, adding a touch of whimsy to garden borders and containers. With its long blooming period and low maintenance requirements, Platycodon is a charming addition to British gardens, attracting bees and butterflies with its vibrant flowers.
Poppy Annual
- Flowering Months: June to August
Annual Poppies, including varieties like the iconic Papaver rhoeas, or field poppy, grace UK landscapes with their vivid displays of red, pink, orange, and white blossoms. These easy-to-grow annuals prefer well-drained soil and full sun, brightening up meadows, cottage gardens, and wildlife-friendly areas with their vibrant blooms.
Red Hot Poker
- Flowering Months: June to September
Red Hot Poker, also known as Kniphofia, is a striking perennial that thrives in the UK climate, boasting tall spikes of tubular flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow. This architectural plant is a favourite in British gardens, attracting bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich blooms. Red Hot Pokers prefer sunny spots and well-drained soil, making them ideal for borders and rock gardens. With their bold colours and upright growth habit, these vibrant perennials add a dramatic touch to any garden.
Salvia
- Flowering Months: June to September
Salvia, commonly known as sage, is a diverse genus of flowering plants appreciated in the UK for its culinary and ornamental value. With a wide array of species and cultivars, Salvias offer an assortment of flower colours, including shades of blue, purple, red, and white, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. These hardy perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them versatile additions to herb gardens, borders, and containers. Known for their aromatic foliage and long-lasting blooms, Salvias are cherished for their beauty and practical uses, enriching outdoor spaces with their vibrant presence.
Sensitive Plant
- Flowering Months: July to September
Sensitive Plant, botanically known as Mimosa pudica, is a fascinating and unique plant that captivates onlookers with its remarkable ability to respond to touch, closing its delicate fern-like leaves in response. This tropical perennial, often grown as an annual in the UK, thrives in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. The Sensitive Plant’s interactive feature makes it a popular choice for botanical enthusiasts and curious gardeners, adding a touch of wonder and surprise to indoor spaces and conservatories with its intriguing behaviour.
Sparaxis
- Flowering Months: June to August
Sparaxis, also referred to as Harlequin Flower, is a charming bulbous plant appreciated for its vibrant and distinctive flowers. With blooms in shades of orange, pink, yellow, and red, Sparaxis creates eye-catching displays in garden borders and containers. These South African natives prefer well-drained soil and a sunny location, adding a splash of colour to gardens in the spring and summer months. Sparaxis bulbs are easy to grow and propagate, making them a popular choice for gardeners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces with a touch of exotic beauty.
Streptocarpus
- Flowering Months: June to September
Streptocarpus, commonly known as Cape Primrose, is a beloved houseplant in the UK, admired for its elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in an array of hues, including violet, pink, blue, and white. This tender perennial thrives in bright, indirect light and well-drained, slightly acidic soil, making it an excellent choice for indoor cultivation. Streptocarpus plants are known for their long-lasting blooms and attractive foliage, adding a touch of colour and sophistication to homes and conservatories. With their graceful appearance and ease of care, Streptocarpus is a popular choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts looking to bring beauty and charm indoors.
Sweet Pea
- Flowering Months: June to September
Sweet Pea, known for its delicate, vibrant blooms and captivating fragrance, is a classic garden favourite, boasting a profusion of flowers in various pastel and rich shades. This climbing annual is easy to grow, thriving in well-drained, fertile soil under full sun or partial shade. With its enchanting tendrils and heartwarming scent, the Sweet Pea enhances trellises, arches, and borders, adding a nostalgic charm to gardens and attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. These old-fashioned beauties have remained beloved for decades, adorning floral arrangements and gardens with their timeless elegance and perfume-like scent, making Sweet Peas a beloved and essential addition to your garden.
Verbena
- Flowering Months: June to October
Verbena, a versatile, sun-loving perennial, is cherished for its long-lasting, vibrant floral displays in an array of rich colours, including purple, mauve, ruby, and white. It is well-suited for summer bedding, borders, and containers, flourishing in full sun and well-drained soil. The Verbena’s enduring blooms attract butterflies and bees, creating lively, colourful garden havens. With its flexibility and low maintenance needs, Verbena proves to be an invaluable ally for gardeners, enhancing outdoor spaces with its vivacious and enduring floral charm.
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