Flower seeds

Flower seeds: the start of something beautiful

For the picking garden, the border and the balcony

Annuals, biennials or perennials — which are right for you?

Frequently asked questions about flower seeds

• When should you sow flower seeds?
  You can sow annual flower seeds outdoors in the open ground from mid-April, once the risk of night frost has passed and the soil is at least 10 degrees. If you want to start earlier, you can sow them indoors in seed trays from March onwards and transplant the seedlings later. Perennial and biennial flower seeds are best sown at the end of summer or in early autumn, so that they experience a period of cold weather and emerge vigorously in the spring.
• How do you sow flower seeds in the garden?
  Loosen the soil slightly and remove any weeds. Scatter the seeds widely — mix them with a little sand if necessary for better distribution. Press down lightly and water. Do not sow too deeply: most flower seeds should barely be covered with soil. As soon as the seedlings emerge, thin them out so that each plant has enough space. Continue to water regularly until the plants are well established.
• Are organic flower seeds better for bees?
  Yes. Organic flower seeds are grown without synthetic pesticides, which means the flowers that grow from them are also safe for bees and other pollinators. Many conventional flower seeds are treated with neonicotinoids or other substances that are harmful to insects. With organic seeds, you don’t have that concern — and you can consciously choose varieties that are also bee-friendly in terms of flower shape, such as phacelia, marigold and cornflower.
• How long do flower seeds keep?
  Most organic flower seeds have a shelf life of two years, but they often remain viable for longer if you store them in a dry, dark and cool place — for example, in a cool shed. The packaging will show a best-before date. After that date, the seeds are not necessarily unusable, but their viability will gradually decline. In that case, sow a little more than usual to compensate.
• Can you also sow flower seeds in a pot or container?
  Certainly. Many flower seeds thrive in a large pot or container, provided there is adequate drainage and you water them regularly. Choose varieties that do not grow too large, such as dwarf sunflowers, nasturtiums, cosmos or lavender. Use well-aerated potting compost and place the pot in a sunny spot. In a pot, the soil dries out more quickly than in the open ground — so watering is needed slightly more often.
• Which flower seeds are the most bee-friendly?
  Phacelia (bee food) is one of the most prized bee flowers: its blue flowers are rich in nectar and pollen and are visited in droves.​ Marigolds, cornflowers, poppies and cosmos are excellent choices. It is best to choose single-petalled flowers — double-petalled flowers look lush, but bees find it harder to access them. Buzzy’s Flowermix for Bees has been specially formulated to be as bee-friendly as possible.