Gardeners have named seven types of flowers best sown in September, according to Homesandgardens. Sowing hardy annuals and perennials this month gives the plants time to root over autumn, and after winter they can flower earlier than those sown in spring.
The recommended varieties include sweet pea, delphinium, echinacea, aquilegia, lupin, eryngium and scabiosa, each suited to slightly different sowing methods and garden conditions.
Sweet Pea and Delphinium
Sweet pea seeds can be sown in mid to late September. Over winter the young plants go dormant, then revive in spring and flower earlier than usual. Deep containers work best for sowing, since the plant quickly develops its root system, and young seedlings should be protected from severe frost over winter.
Delphinium is suited to autumn sowing directly into open ground. Its tall flower spikes can become one of the main features of a flowerbed, with blooms in blue, purple, pink and white. The seed only needs a light covering of soil kept consistently moist, and seedlings that appear in spring can be thinned out.
Echinacea and Aquilegia
Echinacea is best sown closer to the end of September. Winter cold provides the seed with natural stratification, which helps it germinate later. The plant should be given a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Aquilegia seed can also be sown directly in the garden in September. It should not be buried deeply, just pressed lightly into the soil, since the seed needs light to germinate. Overwintering in the ground provides natural stratification, though seedlings can sometimes take several weeks to appear in spring.
Lupin and Eryngium
Lupin is best sown straight into its permanent spot, since the plant has a long taproot and does not transplant well. Autumn sowing lets the seed go through a natural cooling period. The first seedlings appear in spring, though full flowering sometimes has to wait until the following year.
Eryngium, also known as sea holly, is notable for its unusual spiky flower heads in shades of blue, silver and white. This low-maintenance perennial tolerates drought well. Seed is best sown directly into the ground in a sunny, well-drained spot, and like lupin, eryngium does not cope well with root damage during transplanting.
Scabiosa
Scabiosa can be sown either directly into the ground or into containers. Its delicate flowers sit on long stems and come in pink, white and dark red. After flowering, decorative seed pods form where the blooms were, which can also be used in dried flower arrangements.
Gardeners have previously named six plants that need pruning in September, noting that some should be tidied up now before rain and cold weather set in. Gardeners have also recommended a hardy, low-maintenance perennial that can be planted near the house.
