Just Bloom Flower Variety Planting Calendar

This comprehensive guide focuses on specific flower varieties and their optimal planting times, organized by season to help you create a succession of blooms throughout the year.

Early Spring Plantings (March - April)

Cool-Season Annuals

Pansies and Violas Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost. These hardy flowers thrive in temperatures between 45-65°F and can withstand light frosts down to 25°F. Choose from hundreds of color combinations and face patterns. Plant in rich, well-drained soil with morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer climates.

Sweet Peas Direct sow in early March or as soon as soil can be worked. These fragrant climbing annuals prefer cool roots and benefit from soaking seeds overnight before planting. Provide trellises or supports as they can reach 6-8 feet. Choose from dwarf bush varieties or traditional climbing types in colors ranging from pastels to deep purples.

Snapdragons Start from transplants 6-8 weeks before last frost. These vertical spikes come in dwarf (6-8 inches), intermediate (18-24 inches), and tall (30-36 inches) varieties. Colors include white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple, and bicolors. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Calendula (Pot Marigold) Direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost or start indoors 6-8 weeks earlier. These daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and cream are edible and make excellent cut flowers. They prefer cool weather and may stop blooming in summer heat but resume in fall.

Bachelor Buttons (Cornflower) Direct sow in early spring 4-6 weeks before last frost. These cottage garden favorites come in blue, pink, white, and purple. They're excellent for cutting and attract butterflies. The 'Blue Boy' variety is particularly striking, while 'Polka Dot Mix' offers multiple colors.

Larkspur Direct sow in early spring as seeds need cool temperatures to germinate. These tall spikes (2-4 feet) come in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white. They resemble delphiniums but are annual. Excellent for cutting and cottage gardens.

Hardy Perennials

Delphiniums Plant transplants in early spring for summer blooms. These dramatic spikes can reach 6-8 feet in ideal conditions. 'Pacific Giant' series offers the tallest varieties, while 'Magic Fountains' provides more compact options. They prefer rich, alkaline soil and cool summers.

Lupines Plant in early spring in areas with cool summers. These spikes of pea-like flowers come in blue, purple, pink, white, yellow, and bicolors. 'Russell Hybrids' offer the widest color range, while native species work well in naturalized settings.

Hollyhocks Plant transplants in early spring for blooms the same year, or direct sow in late summer for flowers the following year. These cottage garden staples can reach 6-9 feet with flowers in single or double forms. Colors include white, yellow, pink, red, purple, and nearly black.

Mid to Late Spring Plantings (May - Early June)

Warm-Season Annuals - Heat-Loving Varieties

Marigolds Plant after soil warms to 60°F. French marigolds (compact, 6-12 inches) include varieties like 'Bonanza' and 'Safari' series. African marigolds (tall, 18-36 inches) feature larger blooms in the 'Antigua' and 'Taishan' series. Colors range from pale yellow to deep orange and mahogany.

Zinnias Plant after last frost when soil is warm. State Fair Mix produces giant 5-6 inch blooms on 3-foot plants. 'Profusion' series offers compact plants with excellent disease resistance. 'Zinnia angustifolia' provides small, daisy-like flowers perfect for edges. Colors span the spectrum except blue.

Cosmos Direct sow after last frost. 'Sensation Mix' grows 3-4 feet with large daisy-like blooms in pink, white, and crimson. 'Sonata' series stays compact at 18-24 inches. Chocolate cosmos offers deep burgundy blooms with a chocolate scent but requires transplants.

Sunflowers Direct sow after soil warms to 65°F. 'Mammoth' varieties can reach 12 feet with 12-inch blooms. 'Teddy Bear' offers double, fluffy 6-inch blooms on 2-foot plants. Branching varieties like 'Autumn Beauty' provide multiple smaller blooms perfect for cutting.

Celosia Plant when nights stay above 50°F. Cockscomb types (C. cristata) produce brain-like flower heads in red, yellow, orange, and pink. Plumed types (C. plumosa) offer feathery spikes. 'Sunday' series provides compact plants ideal for borders.

Tender Perennials (Treated as Annuals)

Impatiens Plant after nighttime temperatures stay above 50°F. Standard impatiens thrive in shade with colors including white, pink, red, orange, purple, and bicolors. New Guinea impatiens tolerate more sun and offer variegated foliage options. 'SunPatiens' can handle full sun conditions.

Begonias Plant when soil and air temperatures are consistently warm. Wax begonias offer continuous blooms in sun or shade with colors of white, pink, red, and bicolors. Tuberous begonias provide larger, more elaborate blooms but require more care. Rex begonias are grown primarily for colorful foliage.

Coleus Plant after warm weather arrives. Grown primarily for colorful foliage in shades of green, red, purple, yellow, and multicolored combinations. 'Kong' series offers giant leaves, while 'Wizard' series stays compact. Some newer varieties like 'Redhead' also produce attractive flower spikes.

Caladiums Plant tubers when soil temperature reaches 70°F. These foliage plants offer heart-shaped leaves in combinations of green, white, pink, and red. 'Florida' series provides sun tolerance, while traditional varieties prefer shade. Elephant ears (Alocasia) offer similar dramatic foliage effects.

Vining Annuals

Morning Glories Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. 'Heavenly Blue' offers classic sky-blue trumpets, while 'Grandpa Ott' provides deep purple blooms with pink throats. Moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) are related but bloom at night with large white flowers.

Nasturtiums Direct sow after soil warms. These edible flowers come in climbing and bush varieties. Colors include yellow, orange, red, and cream. 'Alaska' series offers variegated foliage, while 'Empress of India' provides dark foliage with bright red blooms.

Summer Plantings (June - August)

Heat-Tolerant Annuals

Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Plant in hot weather when soil temperature exceeds 65°F. These drought-tolerant plants offer continuous blooms in white, pink, red, purple, and bicolors. 'Cora' series provides excellent disease resistance, while 'Titan' series offers larger blooms.

Portulaca (Moss Rose) Plant in hot, sunny locations after soil warms thoroughly. These succulent annuals open their colorful blooms only in bright sun. 'Sundial' series offers double blooms, while 'Happy Hour' provides larger single flowers in vibrant colors.

Globe Amaranth Plant after warm weather arrives. These drought-tolerant plants produce clover-like blooms in purple, pink, white, and orange. 'Gnome' series stays compact, while 'Buddy' offers larger plants. Excellent for drying.

Torenia (Wishbone Flower) Plant in late spring or early summer. These shade-loving annuals produce pansy-like blooms with distinctive markings. 'Summer Wave' series offers trailing varieties perfect for hanging baskets, while 'Clown' series provides upright plants.

Late Summer Sowings for Fall Color

Cool-Season Annuals for Fall Direct sow or transplant in late summer (6-8 weeks before first expected frost):

• Ornamental Kale and Cabbage: Develop best colors in cool weather. 'Color Up' and 'Peacock' series offer ruffled leaves in pink, purple, and white.

• Chrysanthemums: Plant transplants for fall blooms. Garden mums come in daisy, decorative, and pompon forms in autumn colors.

• Asters: Late-blooming varieties like 'Professor Kippenburg' provide purple daisy-like blooms well into fall.

Fall Plantings (September - November)

Cool-Season Annuals for Winter Interest

Pansies (Fall Planting) Plant 10-12 weeks before hard frost for winter blooms in mild climates. Winter-flowering varieties like 'Ice' series and 'Winter Wonder' can bloom through snow. Matrix series offers heat tolerance for areas with warm autumns.

Flowering Kale and Cabbage Plant in early fall for peak color development. 'Nagoya' series offers deeply fringed edges, while 'Tokyo' provides smooth-edged leaves. Colors intensify as temperatures drop, reaching peak beauty in late fall and winter.

Stock Plant in early fall in mild climates for winter and spring blooms. These fragrant spikes come in single and double forms. 'Giant Imperial' series offers tall stems perfect for cutting, while 'Ten Week' varieties bloom more quickly.

Spring-Flowering Bulbs

Tulips Plant 6-8 weeks before ground freezes. Early varieties like 'Red Riding Hood' and 'Heart's Delight' bloom in March. Mid-season types include Darwin hybrids and Triumph tulips. Late varieties like 'Queen of Night' and 'Black Parrot' extend the season into May.

Daffodils (Narcissus) Plant in fall for spring blooms. Early varieties like 'February Gold' start the season, while 'Thalia' and 'Hawera' provide late spring interest. Fragrant varieties like 'Geranium' and 'Sir Winston Churchill' offer additional sensory appeal.

Crocuses Plant small bulbs in fall for early spring color. Species varieties like Crocus tommasinianus naturalize readily, while larger Dutch varieties offer showier blooms. 'Pickwick' provides distinctive striped petals.

Hyacinths Plant in fall for intensely fragrant spring spikes. 'Jan Bos' offers early red blooms, while 'Blue Jacket' provides deep blue flowers. 'Woodstock' features burgundy-purple spikes that complement tulips perfectly.

Perennial Plantings

Fall-Planted Perennials September through October is ideal for planting many perennials:

• Peonies: Plant with eyes 2 inches below soil surface. 'Sarah Bernhardt' offers classic pink doubles, while 'Festiva Maxima' provides white blooms with red flecks.

• Iris: Divide and replant rhizomes. Bearded iris varieties range from miniature dwarfs to tall standards in every color except true red.

• Daylilies: Fall planting allows good root establishment. 'Stella d'Oro' reblooms continuously, while 'Happy Returns' offers lemon-yellow flowers.

Winter Plantings (December - February)

Mild Climate Specialties

In USDA zones 8-11, winter offers opportunities for cool-season plantings:

Sweet Alyssum Plant in winter for early spring carpets of tiny blooms. 'Snow Princess' offers pure white flowers, while 'Royal Carpet' provides deep purple blooms with honey fragrance.

Candytuft Winter planting in mild climates produces spring blooms. Annual varieties like 'Giant Hyacinth Flowered' offer large white flower clusters perfect for cutting.

Cyclamen Plant hardy varieties in fall for winter and early spring blooms. 'Miracle' series tolerates more heat, while species cyclamen naturalize in woodland settings.

Special Considerations by Variety

Succession Planting Candidates

For continuous blooms, plant every 2-3 weeks:

• Zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, sunflowers, sweet alyssum, and bachelor buttons

Direct Sow vs. Transplant

Best Direct Sown: Sunflowers, nasturtiums, sweet peas, larkspur, cosmos, zinnias, morning glories Transplant Recommended: Impatiens, begonias, petunias, snapdragons, pansies, coleus

Cut Flower Specialists

Excellent for Cutting: Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, celosia, snapdragons, sweet peas, larkspur, stock, delphiniums, marigolds

Shade Tolerant Varieties

Full Shade: Impatiens, begonias, caladiums, torenia Partial Shade: Coleus, pansies, violas, astilbe, hostas

This variety-focused approach ensures you can select the perfect flowers for your specific garden conditions, climate, and desired bloom times throughout the growing season.