May is generally considered the peak of spring and as it has just started, gardeners have more than enough time to plant some new flowers and give their gardens an upgrade. In fact, this is one of the best times to sow seeds and watch them thrive and bloom right into the summer, bringing a boost of colour to your outdoor spaces.
If you’re struggling with what to plant there are plenty of great easy-to-grow flowers, that will produce blooms of different colours, sizes, and shapes, offering a variety. On Homes and Gardens, Drew Swainston, an expert garderner has revealed “some of the best annual flowers” to plant this month, that can be sown directly and will result in stunning blooms that bring “dazzling colour to any space”.
Amaranthus
The ornamental flower that can grow up to six feet tall produces stunning cascading blooms in shades of purple or light pink. The seeds of these flowers can be sown directly and should be covered in “a thin layer of soil”. They also need to be well-watered to germinate within seven to 10 days. Gardeners should see the plant flower around 12 weeks after sowing.
Calendula
Also known as pot marigold, these flowers are pretty and multi-purpose flowers that are also great pollinators. The flowers can come in a variety of colours including orange, yellow, or white, perfect for those who have specific preferences. To grow calendula flowers, the seeds can be down directly into “a sunny spot in the garden”, where they should be pressed in the soil and covered lightly. It is important the seeds have light so they can germinate and are kept moist. Seeds should germinate within two weeks, with the plant then flowering throughout summer.
Cornflower
Cornflower – also referred to as centaurea cyanus or bachelor’s button – are delicate flowers known for their blue colour. However, they can also bloom pink, white, and dark red flowers. They also have a long vase life, making them great cut flowers. Cornflower seeds can be sown directly and covered lightly with soil that is moist. Seeds should germinate within two weeks. The seeds being “so reliable” when it comes to germinating also makes cornflowers a great option for “chaos gardening” where they can just be scattered around the garden.
Cosmos
Growing these flowers couldn’t be easier and planting them will leave gardeners happy with many bright and vibrant flowers. The gorgeous blooming should be maintained with deadheading. However, before getting to that, cosmos seeds should be sown directly into their growing position, in a sunny area, and around two or three inches apart. The soil must be kept moist.
