The Best Flower Seeds to Plant in April for a Beautiful Spring Garden

April is the perfect time to plant flower seeds for a gorgeous spring garden With the cold winter months behind us, soil temperatures are warming and conditions are ideal for sowing annuals, perennials, and bulbs Planning what to plant now will ensure waves of colorful blooms in the coming months.

If you want to plant flower seeds in April, you should think about your USDA Hardiness Zone. People who live in warmer places can plant seeds directly in garden beds and borders. People who live in cooler areas will need to start their seeds indoors or cover them outside to keep them safe.

No matter where you live, April has a lot of beautiful flowers to choose from. Here are some of the best seeds to plant now:

Annual Flowers

Annual flowers bloom prolifically all season long and often self-seed for following years. They add continuous color to beds, borders, and containers. Some top annuals for April sowing include:

• Marigolds: Marigolds with bright yellow, orange, and red flowers keep some pests away. African marigolds can grow up to 4 feet tall, while French marigolds only grow to be 1 to 2 feet tall.

• Zinnias – Large, vibrant zinnia flowers attract pollinators all season. Colors include red, pink, orange, white, yellow, and purple.

• Cosmos – Feathery foliage and daisy blooms that sway in the breeze Blooms come in lovely shades of pink, white, and crimson

• Sunflowers – Giant sunflower varieties can grow over 10 feet tall! Dwarf types perfect for containers grow 1-3 feet.

• Nasturtiums are flowers that can be eaten. They come in sunny orange, red, and yellow shades. They also repel aphids.

Perennials & Bulbs

Perennials provide years of reliable blooms. Some hardy varieties can be direct sown in April. Bulbs planted now yield colorful spring flowers. Top choices include:

• Coneflowers – Showy daisy-like blooms in purple, yellow, white, pink, and red on 2-4 foot plants.

• Lilies – Large, elegant blooms with a sweet fragrance. Plant bulbs 4-6 inches deep in well-draining soil.

• Phlox – Clusters of pink, purple, white or red flowers bloom summer through fall. Attracts butterflies.

• Yarrow – Flat-topped clusters of tiny white, yellow, or pink flowers. Thrives in poor, dry soil.

• Dahlias – Summer showstoppers! Plant tubers now for dinner plate-sized blooms.

Flowering Shrubs & Vines

Add structure and vertical interest to the garden with flowering woody plants. Options for April planting include:

• Wisteria – Fragrant cascades of purple or white flowers drape from vines. Plant in full sun.

• Clematis – Showy vines with large single or double blooms in spring and summer. Provide support.

• Rosemary – Culinary herb also produces pretty light blue edible flowers. Thrives in full sun.

• Lilac – Old-fashioned beauty with extremely fragrant blooms in shades of purple, pink or white.

Tips for Planting

When planting flower seeds in April, be sure to follow labeling instructions for soil temperature, planting depth, and spacing. Here are some useful tips:

• Prepare soil by mixing in compost or fertilizer to enrich it. Remove any weeds.

• Sow at the recommended depth – usually 1/4 inch for small seeds. Gently firm soil over seeds.

• Water gently to avoid washing away small seeds. Keep soil moist but not soggy for best germination.

• Use row covers, cold frames, or cloches to protect delicate seedlings from frost.

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost when they have 2-4 true leaves.

• Space plants appropriately so they have room to reach mature size.

With proper planning and care, the flower seeds you plant in April will yield gorgeous blooms to enjoy all season long. Just be sure to select varieties suited to your growing zone and conditions for best results.