Want to know which flower seeds are suitable for winter? In this blog we take a closer look at which flower seeds are winter-hardy and which are not.
What does winter-hardy mean?
A winter-hardy plant is one that can withstand cold temperatures and frost during the winter months. While most flower seeds are not naturally resistant to winter conditions, there are a few special varieties that can survive the cold and even thrive when spring arrives.
Whether or not a plant is winter-hardy depends on many factors. Some plants are naturally more resilient to cold weather, while others can tolerate a frozen state and still grow again. It is important to understand these differences before deciding what to sow in colder seasons.
Nigella
Nigella, also known as love-in-a-mist, is a winter-hardy flower. It is an easy-to-grow plant that requires little care and is perfect for beginner gardeners. Nigella attracts bees and butterflies, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to create a garden that is friendly to pollinators. This beautiful plant will bloom in the right season and return each year with just a little attention.
Delphinium
Delphiniums thrive in sunny locations and love to soak up the light. These tall, elegant flowers are also known as larkspur. They bloom in early summer and often again later in the season, either late summer or early autumn.
But can delphiniums survive the winter? Yes, delphiniums are considered winter-hardy. Although they lose their leaves during the cold months and are not evergreen, the roots remain healthy underground. Once spring returns, the plant will sprout new shoots and begin a fresh blooming cycle.
Phlox
Phlox is a charming summer bloomer that can add a lovely touch to any flower bed. During winter, it sheds its leaves and rests underground. But is phlox winter-hardy? Absolutely. This plant is surprisingly tough and can endure even harsh winter conditions.
Its strength lies in its well-developed root system and frost resistance. Even if you don’t see leaves or flowers in winter, the plant will come back full of life in the spring. Phlox is also very easy to care for and produces lots of blossoms, making it perfect for flower arrangements and bouquets.
Zinnia – not winter-hardy
Zinnias are colourful flowers that are loved for their bold blooms and versatility in the garden. They are great for borders, beds and pots. Zinnias are easy to grow and require little effort during the season. But are they winter-hardy?
Unfortunately, zinnias are not frost-resistant. Cold weather, frost or snow will damage the plant quickly. If you want to grow zinnias outdoors, make sure all chances of frost have passed before planting. Alternatively, you can start zinnias indoors and move them outside once the weather warms up.
Cosmos – not winter-hardy
Cosmos, also known as cosmea, are elegant flowers with long stems, perfect for cutting and arranging. We offer them in soft pink, bright red and pure white varieties. But can cosmos stay outside during winter?
Cosmos flowers are not winter-hardy. They prefer warm, sunny conditions and do not tolerate frost. The best time to sow cosmos is in spring or early summer, after the risk of frost is completely over.
Other flower types
In addition to the varieties above, we also offer other beautiful flower seeds such as asters and amaranthus.
Asters are winter-hardy. Though the seeds are annual, they often reseed themselves naturally. This means you’ll see new plants grow in the second year from seeds that were left behind. Asters are not evergreen, so they do not keep their leaves in winter, but they bloom beautifully in summer and attract many insects.
Amaranthus, however, is not winter-hardy. This plant does not survive frost but is valued for its striking appearance and nutritious seeds. One of our favourite varieties is Amaranthus ‘Velvet Curtains’ with its deep burgundy-red foliage and elegant presence in the garden.
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