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Seasonal FlowerPlanting GuidePerfect Timing for Year-Round Blooms

Master the art of seasonal flower planting with our comprehensive calendar guide. Learn exactly when to plant each flower type for maximum blooms and garden success throughout the entire year.

Know Your Region

Planting ZoneReference

Your USDA Hardiness Zone determines your planting calendar. Find your zone to customize timing recommendations.

Zones 3-5

Northern US/Canada

Last Frost:
Mid to Late May
First Frost:
Mid September to Early October
Growing Season:
120-140 days
Special Tips:

Focus on cool-season flowers, short growing season requires early indoor starts

Zones 6-7

Mid-Atlantic/Central

Last Frost:
Mid to Late April
First Frost:
Mid to Late October
Growing Season:
160-180 days
Special Tips:

Best balance of seasons, can grow almost any annual flower successfully

Zones 8-9

Southern US

Last Frost:
Late March to Early April
First Frost:
Late November to December
Growing Season:
240-270 days
Special Tips:

Long season allows multiple plantings, focus on heat-tolerant varieties

Zones 10-11

Southern Florida/Hawaii

Last Frost:
Rare or None
First Frost:
Very Rare
Growing Season:
365 days
Special Tips:

Year-round growing, focus on heat/humidity tolerance and succession planting

🌱

Spring Planting

March - May
50-75°F (10-24°C)

Renewal & Growth

Key Activities

Start cool-season annuals
Plant spring bulbs flowers
Prepare beds for summer flowers
Transplant seedlings outdoors

Pro Tips:

💡Watch soil temperature - 50°F for most seeds
💡Harden off seedlings gradually over 7-10 days
💡Plant after last frost date for your zone
💡Mulch to retain spring moisture

Best Flowers for Spring

Pansies

Cool-loving
Plant Timing:
Early March
Bloom Period:
March-June
Notes:

Frost tolerant, perfect for early color

Sweet Peas

Cool weather
Plant Timing:
Late March
Bloom Period:
May-July
Notes:

Fragrant climber, needs support

Calendula

Cool-moderate
Plant Timing:
Mid March
Bloom Period:
April-October
Notes:

Edible flowers, continuous blooms

Larkspur

Cool spring
Plant Timing:
Early March
Bloom Period:
May-June
Notes:

Tall spikes, cut flowers

☀️

Summer Planting

June - August
75-85°F (24-29°C)

Peak Bloom & Heat

Key Activities

Plant heat-loving annuals
Maintain consistent watering
Deadhead for continued blooms
Plan fall flower succession

Pro Tips:

💡Deep, infrequent watering prevents heat stress
💡Mulch heavily to keep roots cool
💡Plant in early morning or evening
💡Provide afternoon shade in extreme heat

Best Flowers for Summer

Zinnias

Heat-loving
Plant Timing:
After last frost
Bloom Period:
June-October
Notes:

Drought tolerant, butterfly magnet

Marigolds

Heat tolerant
Plant Timing:
May-June
Bloom Period:
June-Frost
Notes:

Pest deterrent, easy care

Sunflowers

Hot weather
Plant Timing:
May-July
Bloom Period:
July-September
Notes:

Direct seed, support tall varieties

Celosia

Heat-loving
Plant Timing:
May-June
Bloom Period:
July-October
Notes:

Unique texture, great dried flowers

🍂

Fall Planting

September - November
55-75°F (13-24°C)

Second Spring

Key Activities

Plant cool-season flowers
Collect seeds for next year
Prepare spring bulb beds
Plan next year's garden

Pro Tips:

💡Plant 6-8 weeks before hard frost
💡Cool weather improves flower colors
💡Collect seeds on dry, sunny days
💡Continue watering until ground freezes

Best Flowers for Fall

Mums

Cool weather
Plant Timing:
August-September
Bloom Period:
September-November
Notes:

Classic fall color, perennial types

Asters

Cool-moderate
Plant Timing:
Spring for fall bloom
Bloom Period:
September-October
Notes:

Native wildflower, butterfly favorite

Pansies

Cool-loving
Plant Timing:
September
Bloom Period:
October-May
Notes:

Overwinter in mild climates

Ornamental Kale

Cool weather
Plant Timing:
August-September
Bloom Period:
October-December
Notes:

Colorful foliage, frost enhances color

❄️

Winter Planting

December - February
25-45°F (-4-7°C)

Planning & Preparation

Key Activities

Plan next year's garden
Order seeds and plants
Start seeds indoors
Maintain garden tools

Pro Tips:

💡Start slow-growing annuals indoors 8-12 weeks early
💡Plan garden layout on paper during cold days
💡Order seeds early for best selection
💡Protect tender plants with mulch or covers

Best Flowers for Winter

Hellebores

Cold hardy
Plant Timing:
Plant fall/early spring
Bloom Period:
December-March
Notes:

Winter-blooming perennial

Winter Pansies

Frost tolerant
Plant Timing:
Fall planting
Bloom Period:
December-April
Notes:

Survives snow, early color

Primrose

Cool weather
Plant Timing:
Fall/winter planting
Bloom Period:
January-April
Notes:

Bright early spring color

Cyclamen

Cool-cold
Plant Timing:
Fall planting
Bloom Period:
October-March
Notes:

Indoor/outdoor options

Quick Reference

Month-by-MonthActivity Calendar

A quick-reference guide for what to do each month to keep your flower garden thriving year-round.

1

January

Plan garden layout
Order seeds
Start slow annuals indoors
Maintain tools
2

February

Start more seeds indoors
Prepare seed starting area
Plan crop rotation
Service garden equipment
3

March

Start warm-season seeds
Plant cool-season outdoors
Prepare garden beds
Transplant hardy seedlings
4

April

Harden off seedlings
Plant spring annuals
Direct seed cool flowers
Mulch garden beds
5

May

Plant heat-loving flowers
Transplant warm-season starts
Begin regular watering
Support tall plants
6

June

Maintain watering schedule
Deadhead spent blooms
Side-dress heavy feeders
Monitor for pests
7

July

Deep water during heat
Continue deadheading
Plan fall plantings
Collect seeds
8

August

Plant fall flowers
Water consistently
Divide spring perennials
Plan next year
9

September

Plant cool-season annuals
Collect mature seeds
Prepare spring bulb beds
Reduce fertilizing
10

October

Plant spring bulbs
Harvest seeds
Clean up spent annuals
Mulch perennial beds
11

November

Final garden cleanup
Protect tender plants
Store garden tools
Plan improvements
12

December

Review garden photos
Order seed catalogs
Plan next season
Rest and reflect