While fall marks the end of the gardening season for some, for others it’s the start. In our area, many spring blooming annuals are actually started in the fall. The natural gardening instinct to plant in the spring doesn’t work with hardy annuals as it does with tender annuals. Tender annuals are planted in the summer and bloom in the summer. If we wait until spring to plant these hardy annuals, it’s too late. Spring comes in quickly and doesn’t hang around long enough for hardy annuals to thrive if not started early. When planted in the fall they use the cooler weather to set roots and establish into healthy plants. Perennials and biennials that don’t normally thrive in warmer climates can also be grown as hardy annuals.

Hardy annuals are some of the first blooms after a dreary winter and are a critical food source for early-season pollinators. They have a unique life cycle that gardeners in the south can take advantage of. Getting started with hardy annuals is easy because many prefer to have their seeds sown directly into the garden. While this year, it’s too late to start the hardy annuals that take longer to establish indoors, there is still time to sow the quicker establishing ones outdoors. Once planted, they need little attention from the gardener until it’s bloom time. From fall to early spring, there is a little rain and snow just when it’s needed. When plants start flowering in the spring it’s important to keep them deadheaded or harvested for cutflowers. If you don’t, they will start producing seed and will stop blooming because the plant believes its job is done.

There are many spectacular hardy annuals! Some are suitable for containers and others are brilliant cutflowers. Below is an overview of a few of my favorite hardy annuals that can be sown in the ground now!. 

Bachelor Buttons are extremely winter hardy and need no winter protection. They are recognized for their bold blue color; however, there are several other noteworthy colors available. To keep them blooming for as long as possible, cut the first stem to the base. This promotes lateral growth meaning more blooms to enjoy. In addition, remove or pinch blooms to a set of leaves as they fade. Some variety favorites include ‘Formula Mix’, ‘Black’, and ‘Blue Boy’. Available in the Richmond County Seed Library are ‘Cycnaus Double, Mixed Colors’ and ‘Jubilee Gem’.

Bells of Ireland are like nothing you’ve seen before. They can be difficult to grow, but with a few extra steps you can enjoy this captivating flower in your garden. Before you plant, put your seed packet in the freezer for 2 weeks. Then, let them soak in water for up to 5 days. Plant as usual, but make sure to keep your seedbed moist. In areas that experience extreme weather swings, they benefit from protection. The harvest window for Bells of Ireland is broad. They can be used as soon as they reach a desirable height. If left unharvested, they will grow tall. Once they start turning brown, they can be air dried and used as a dried flower.

Bupleurum is beautiful in all stages. It is lovely in a garden as well as in a fresh or dried bouquet. It is extremely winter hardy and needs no winter protection. Bupleurum has limited regrowth so leave blooms in your landscape as long as possible. If cutting fresh, harvest with the majority of the yellow flowers open. If harvested too early, stems will wilt. Seeds for bupleurum are available in the Richmond County Seed Library. 

Buplerum

Foxgloves are another extremely winter hardy flower for a spring garden. Foxgloves are traditionally biennial; however, there are annual foxglove varieties that bloom the first year. Light is required for germination so do not cover seeds. Plants benefit from afternoon shade and will continue to produce if the faded blooms are removed. Some variety favorites include ‘Dalmatian Peach’, ‘Camelot Lavender’, and ‘Camelot Cream’. Seeds for foxglove are available in the Richmond County Seed Library. 

Other fall planted hardy annuals that can be sown directly into the ground now are ammi, corn cockle, forget-me-nots, daucus, feverfew, larkspur, love-in-a-mit, pincushion flower, poppies, calendula, strawflower, sweet william, orlaya, and yarrow. Hardy annuals are a fun group of plants to add to your garden. Gardeners can plant when there is little else going on in the garden, it’s cooler and rain is more frequent. For more information about growing hardy annuals in your garden or to receive seed, contact N.C. Cooperative Extension, Richmond County Center at (910) 997-8255. To learn more about workshops and education offered visit our Facebook and check out our Events page on our website.