Flower Planting Calendar for UK Gardeners
A year-round flower garden not only adds beauty to your home but also supports pollinators and local wildlife. For UK gardeners, timing is crucial to get the best blooms in each season. Here’s a month-by-month guide on what to plant, along with planting tips to help your flowers thrive throughout the year.
Table of What to Plant Each Month
| Month | Flowers to Plant |
| January | Sweet peas (indoors), hellebores, pansies, winter aconite, snowdrops |
| February | Sweet peas (indoor sowing), primroses, violas, crocus, daffodils (indoors) |
| March | Daffodils, tulips, sunflowers (indoors), cosmos, delphiniums |
| April | Dahlias, gladioli, lilies, marigolds, nasturtiums, cosmos |
| May | Marigolds, sunflowers, petunias, zinnias, begonias, foxgloves |
| June | Cosmos, asters, calendula, sweet peas (direct), snapdragons, lavender |
| July | Poppies, pansies, wallflowers, cornflowers, chrysanthemums, lupins |
| August | Hardy annuals (for next spring), pansies, sweet William, foxgloves |
| September | Alliums, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, irises, snowdrops |
| October | Tulips, daffodils, bluebells, grape hyacinths, winter pansies |
| November | Tulips, hellebores, winter aconite, pansies, cyclamen |
| December | Snowdrops, winter aconite, crocus (indoors), pansies |
January: Start Indoors with Hardy Flowers
- Sweet Peas (Indoor Sowing): Start sweet peas indoors for early blooms in spring. Use biodegradable pots and keep seeds in a cool, frost-free place with light. Pinch back the first few leaves to encourage bushy growth.
- Hellebores: Plant hellebores outdoors, in well-drained, partially shaded soil. Hellebores can tolerate winter temperatures, and their evergreen foliage makes them perfect for winter interest.
- Pansies: Hardy pansies can be planted outdoors, even in cold conditions. Use containers or beds, and water regularly to keep blooms going.
February: Begin Spring Blooms
- Primroses and Violas: Plant primroses and violas outdoors to add colour to your garden through late winter and early spring. They tolerate cold temperatures well and provide an early source of nectar for bees.
- Crocus (Bulbs): These bulbs will start blooming as the weather warms. Plant in well-drained soil, positioning bulbs 2–3 inches deep for reliable spring colour.
- Sweet Peas (Indoors): Continue sowing sweet peas indoors if you missed January. Make sure they get light and water sparingly.
March: Embrace Early Spring Flowers
- Daffodils and Tulips: If you haven’t already planted daffodil and tulip bulbs, now’s the time! Choose a sunny location and plant bulbs 4–6 inches deep. Both bloom throughout spring, adding vibrant colour.
- Sunflowers (Indoors): Start sunflowers indoors for early blooms. Plant seeds in pots and keep them in a bright, warm spot until they’re ready to be transplanted.
- Cosmos: Cosmos are easy to grow from seed and can be planted directly outdoors once the threat of frost has passed. They’ll bloom through summer, attracting pollinators to your garden.
April: Plant Colourful, Easy-to-Grow Annuals
- Dahlias: Plant dahlia tubers outdoors in rich, well-drained soil. Dahlias come in a variety of colours and shapes, perfect for cutting gardens. Stake the taller varieties to support heavy blooms.
- Gladioli: Plant gladioli bulbs in beds or containers for tall, colourful blooms. Stagger your planting every few weeks to ensure a longer bloom period.
- Marigolds and Nasturtiums: Both marigolds and nasturtiums are hardy annuals that can be sown directly in the ground. They thrive in full sun and add bold, cheerful colour to garden borders.
May: Fill Your Garden with Summer Bloomers
- Petunias: Plant petunias in containers or beds for cascading blooms. They love sunlight and require regular watering, especially in containers.
- Sunflowers (Outdoors): Sunflowers can now be sown directly in the ground. Choose a sunny spot and plant seeds about 6 inches apart. Thin seedlings as they grow to give each plant space to reach its full height.
- Zinnias: Zinnias thrive in warm weather and come in many vibrant colours. Plant seeds in well-drained soil with full sun exposure for a summer full of cheerful blooms.
June: Enjoy Summer Blooms and Start Biennials
- Cosmos: Sow cosmos seeds directly into garden beds for more blooms. These annuals flower all summer, and deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming.
- Asters: Plant asters in June to enjoy late-summer and autumn blooms. They prefer full sun and attract pollinators, making them a great addition to wildlife gardens.
- Snapdragons: Sow snapdragon seeds directly outdoors in a sunny location. Snapdragons are great for cut flowers and will produce blooms well into autumn with regular deadheading.
July: Begin Planting for Autumn
- Poppies: Sow poppy seeds directly in garden beds for autumn blooms. They thrive in sunny, well-drained soil, and their papery petals add charm to any garden.
- Chrysanthemums: Chrysanthemums planted in July will provide beautiful autumn colours. Plant them in sunny areas and water regularly to prevent the soil from drying out.
- Lupins: These hardy perennials add vibrant spikes of colour to your garden. Plant lupin seeds directly outdoors, spacing them about 12 inches apart.
August: Sow Hardy Annuals for Spring Blooms
- Pansies and Sweet William: Pansies and Sweet William can be sown in August for spring blooms. They thrive in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for autumn planting.
- Foxgloves: Sow foxgloves for a stunning display next summer. These biennials grow well in partial shade and attract pollinators, especially bees.
- Cornflowers: Plant cornflowers directly outdoors in well-drained soil. They’ll grow through autumn and winter, then bloom beautifully in spring.
September: Plant Bulbs for a Spring Display
- Alliums: Allium bulbs should be planted in early autumn in a sunny spot. These striking, globe-like flowers add unique shapes and textures to your garden.
- Daffodils and Crocus: Daffodil and crocus bulbs can be planted in early autumn. They’re frost-tolerant and will bloom in early spring, bringing cheerful colour to the garden.
- Hyacinths: Hyacinths produce fragrant spring blooms. Plant bulbs in well-drained soil, and choose a sunny spot for best results.
October: Finish Bulb Planting Before Winter
- Tulips: Plant tulip bulbs in well-drained soil, about 4–6 inches deep. Tulips add vibrant colours to gardens and are ideal for beds or containers.
- Bluebells: Plant bluebell bulbs in shaded or woodland areas. They’ll naturalize over time, creating a beautiful blue carpet effect in spring.
- Grape Hyacinths: These small, hardy bulbs produce dense clusters of blue flowers. Plant grape hyacinths in well-drained soil in a sunny spot.
November: Focus on Winter Interest
- Hellebores: Plant hellebores in late autumn for early blooms in winter and spring. These flowers are frost-tolerant and thrive in shady spots, providing colour when little else is blooming.
- Cyclamen: Cyclamen add interest to shaded, sheltered garden spots in winter. They grow well in containers or under trees where they receive dappled sunlight.
- Pansies: Winter pansies are resilient and bloom through cold months. They’re excellent for winter borders and containers, adding cheerful colour to your garden.
December: Plant for Early Spring Blooms
- Snowdrops: Snowdrops are a quintessential winter flower. Plant bulbs in well-drained soil or containers for blooms in late winter or early spring.
- Winter Aconite: These yellow flowers bloom in the depths of winter, adding bright pops of colour. Plant them in clusters to naturalize under trees or shrubs.
- Crocus (Indoors): Start crocus bulbs indoors in pots, and they’ll bloom by early spring. Place them in a bright location, watering lightly.
Tips for a Successful Flower Garden
- Choose Native Plants: Native UK plants are better adapted to the climate and often require less maintenance.
- Deadhead Regularly: Remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms and extend the flowering season.
- Water Wisely: Water deeply, especially during dry spells. Most flowers need about 1 inch of water per week.
- Fertilize Sparingly: Too much fertilizer can promote leaf growth at the expense of blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer once or twice per season.
By following this monthly guide, UK gardeners can enjoy a variety of flowers year-round, from winter pansies to spring tulips and summer sunflowers. With thoughtful planning and a bit of patience, your garden will provide beauty, colour, and support for local pollinators through every season. Happy gardening!
