SHIFTING ROOTS

home, garden, food, and prairie lifestyle

27 Annuals and Perennials That Survive & Thrive in Intense Heat

A marvelous list of annual and perennial flowers that can handle the heat amongst the summer sun? Yes Please! Here are Heat tolerant plants that are low maintenance and bloom all summer long are ideal when it comes to having a garden.

These colorful flowers are able to blossom and grow under scorching sun and lots of light–like a south-facing flower bed in front of a house where everything seems to die. They are all durable in hot weather and look good anywhere, like your front yard. Check them out! 

Really quick gardening disclaimer: I garden in zone 3b in Saskatchewan, Canada, and as such, my gardening advice is best suited to the Canadian Prairies.  While I try to make my gardening tips applicable to as many locations as possible, it is impossible to be 100% relevant to every single zone in North America and beyond.  Thanks for understanding!

Top Perennials

1. Sedums

Sedums are nearly indestructible perennial flowers, as they can fight heat, drought, and disease! Sedums are very low maintenance and essentially bullet-proof flowers that come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors. Sedums can bloom in summer or fall; however, I am partial to the Autumn Joy variety for late season blooming.

2. Coneflowers

Coneflowers are unbeatable native Saskatchewan perennials when it comes to hot weather, as they can give rise to single, double, or tripling flowers in the heated months. These perennials are bright and attract many butterflies and birds. They are easy to grow as they are both heat resistant and drought resistant.

3. Salvia

These sturdy and trouble-free perennial flowers can survive the heat and are drought-tolerant! They can grow up to 30” and come in an array in colours, including rosy pinks, deep lavenders, or bright blues. Their spiky flowered appearance are pollinator magnets, and succeed in part to full sun.

4. Daylily

Daylilies love to bathe in the direct, hot sun. And like the above perennials, daylilies are also drought-resistant. Their blooms appear early to midsummer and dividing clumps can get you more flowers every 2 to 3 years. The amount of color options on daylilies is almost infinite.

However, the widely found orange variety that is commonly known as a ditch lily (shown above), is one you probably want to avoid. Sure, it’s pretty, but it can easily overtake your flower bed and choke out other plants if you’re not willing to pull out the overgrowth every year.

P.S. Want to know which perennials you might regret planting? Check out this list for zone 2 and zone 3, and this list for warmer areas.

5. Peony

I am biased with this plant as I am infatuated with peonies! Peonies last for years and are able to survive the hot sunshine if a deep water is given throughout the summer. This plant is fantastic fo rising through the soil and blooming an abundance of bright blooms!

BONUS: Peonies are hardy to Zone 2! Here’s the beginners guide to planting and caring for these beauties.

6. Yarrow

Yarrow the perfect perennial for an area with high heat and poor soil. Once it’s established, it’s practically indestructible.

7. Coreopsis

Image by hellenmoreirat0 from Pixabay

This bright and cheery perennial can bloom all summer! Coreopsis laughs at hot and dry weather conditions and is an extremely reliable plant. This sturdy perennial produces an abundance of yellow, orange, pink, white, or red colored blooms. Use a well-drained soil for any type of Coreopsis. 

8. Butterfly Weed

This Asclepius plant, known as Butterfly Weed, got its name from the many monarch butterflies that stop by. This perennial thrives as the temperature rises in the summer months, and are fantastic in flower arrangements.

As with any plant that has “weed” in the name, it can take over a flower bed, so be sure you plant it in an area that it’s okay if it takes over.

9. Bearded Iris

This uniquely named flower is an easy grow, and its blooms come in an unlimited number of colors. The Bearded Iris does extremely well in the sun for around 6 hours and is common front yard plant.

10. Liatris

This pretty perennial makes awesome cut-flowers for bouquets and calls out to many pollinators. Liatris is extremely hardy in hot weather and need full sunlight to bloom best. I like using liatris as a both a unique, medium sized perennial in the flower bed, and for a spiked cut flower in arrangements.

11. Penstemon

Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay

The Penstemon, or Beardtongue, is a hardy perennial that us very drought tolerant and survives the parching hot weather. It attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, so it’s commonly used near plants that are not self-pollinated.

Looking for more drought-tolerant perennials? Check out this list of 25 options.

12. Silvermound

Silvermound is super easy to grow and survives the hottest summer days. It keeps it’s clumped shape, but it can spread quite a bit. Use it as a nice silvery green counterpoint to all the colour in your garden.

13. Hens & Chicks

It’s hard to find a succulent that can survive prairie winters, but hens and chicks are a tried and true perennial that can survive both the -40 winter temps and the intense heat that often happens right beside the house, especially if it’s facing south.

Top Pereannuals*

*These are flowers that can either be gardened as perennials or annuals depending on certain species!

14. Gaillardias

Gaillardias, aka the Blanket Flower, loves hot and sunny spots. They come in a wide array of colors, ranging from hot pink to pale yellow. They can handle neglect and abandonment, so constant watering is not needed at all! They are awesome native plants that add an immense pop of colour in your front or backyard. 

Use them as a border flower in your flowerbed.

15. Black Eyed Susan

This awesome-named flower has a daisy-like appearance and are very easy to grow. They are able to tolerate heat like a champion. They can grow to be around 2-3 feet tall, so I’d recommend this flower as a mid-sized plant.

16. Verbena

Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay

Verbena are heat loving and drought tolerant flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall. They are able to grow anywhere, from containers to ground cover. Deadheading late in the summer will allow for further blooming in the fall!

17. Dianthus

The dianthus is a very pleasing addition in a garden and accents a lot of other plants in the flower bed. They grow in both full sun or part shade and love warm weather. Just water regularly during dry spells. 

Top Annuals

18. Lantana

Image by virginie-l from Pixabay

Lantanas are amazing annuals that like it scorching hot. Lantanas prefer moist, well-draining soil but can withstand drought conditions. This perennial is common around vegetable gardens that need pollination, as Lantanas are irresistible to butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds. 

19. Zinnia

These heat-loving flowers bloom frequently and easily. Zinnias are a hot-climate plant, therefore thriving is the agonizing heat of summer days. They’re one of the easiest flowers to look after and come in a variety of colors!

Direct seed immediately after the last spring frost, or start indoors 2-4 weeks before.

20. Marigolds

Marigolds do best in full sun with plenty of air flow. They are able to work through dry conditions and repel a variety of unwanted pests. This pop of orange or yellow can withstand very hot summers. Marigolds come in short, medium, and tall heights, so pay attention to which one you’re buying when you purchase them.

21. Cosmos

If you want a taller flower with a nice texture that can beat the heat, Cosmos are the prime choice. They come in a great deal of different colours and grow very quickly! Cosmos are also one of the most versatile cut flowers you can grow, since they can be used for both their foliage and flowers.

22. Sunflower

Just like the name indicates, Sunflowers are devoted to the ball of fire in the sky. They can stand the heat and still grow extremely tall.

23. Amaranth

These ever-lasting flowers that can survive in various conditions, including intense summer heat. If you’re growing them as cut flowers, my favourites are Love Lies Bleeding (pictured) and Hot Biscuits.

24. Celosia

Celosia are very interesting and unique looking flowers, that come in both brain and spike varieties. These annuals can live happily in the heat and will always get a second glance from passersby at your garden.

25. Periwinkle

Image by Nowaja from Pixabay

Periwinkles are one of the most heat tolerant annuals. They can survive in the heat and blooms all summer long. Periwinkles are awesome as a ground cover, because they can grow in both shade and sun.

26. Petunia

A staple of the container flower garden, petunias can be grown as border flowers in a flower bed too. You can find them in almost every imaginable colour (even black!!), so there will be something to work with the look you’re going for.

27. Portulaca

Image by BarBus from Pixabay

Portulaca reminds me a little bit of a cactus, and it’s one of my go-to solutions to adding colour to an extremely hot area. They are easily found in any garden centre and come in a wide array of colours.

Do you have a suggestion for a good heat tolerant flower? Let me know in the comments!

WANT TO CREATE A PERENNIAL GARDEN THAT CONSTANTLY BLOOMS FROM SPRING TO FALL, WITHOUT CONSTANT WORK?  HERE’S HOW. . . 

Everything you need to easily create your own perennial garden with constant blooms. You’ll get an easy to follow system, along with 5 templates and 5 done-for-you plans, plus fun bonuses.

LEARN MORE HERE!

The Best Companies to Purchase Cut Flower Seeds for your Backyard Flower Farm

You’ve been stalking your favourite flower growers on Instagram and you’ve decided that it’s finally time to take the plunge–you’re going to grow your own backyard cut flower garden.

But where do you get annual cut flower seeds? The ones in the big box stores and garden centres are nice, but they’re usually not the Floret-style-Instagram-friendly ones that stole your heart and made you want to grow flowers.

Don’t worry. I’ve compiled a list of seed companies that sell annual cut flowers to the backyard gardener–for Canada, the US, and Europe. Being from Canada myself, the Canadian list is the most extensive, but there is enough in the other lists to get you started on your cut flower gardening journey.

How to Choose Which Flower Seed Company to Buy From

After you read my list of companies to purchase flower seeds from, you’re going to likely get overwhelmed. While it’s nice to order a little bit from everyone, it’s also the fastest way to completely blow your budget. Here’s a few of the questions I ask myself when I’m trying to choose which 2 or 3 companies I will order from that year.

  • Is the company in my geographical region? (Not a requirement, but it is a big consideration if you are buying perennials.)
  • Could I also purchase my vegetable seeds there? Sometimes it’s nice to order both your flowers and vegetables from the same place.
  • Which company has 75% or so of the items on my must-have list? I will often go with the company that has the bulk of the flowers that are on my wish list, then buy smaller orders from one or two other companies. And usually a small fall purchase of something or other makes it’s way into my online cart too.
  • If you’re ordering from a different country–Does the price of exchange make it worth buying? Sometimes that specialty flower is just not worth the 30% markup that the exchange brings.
  • Also if you’re ordering from a different country–Will the seed be allowed over the border? The laws between the Canadian and American border are tightening, and sometimes the flower company can not honour your order because it gets stopped at the border. Perennials are a no-go in general.
  • Do I really want specialty colours and varieties, or am I happy with basic cut flowers? If you’re happy with basic cut flowers, you can likely find a decent-enough selection with the company you order vegetables from. If you need the special colours and varieties, then it is 100% worth it to order the bulk of your order from a specialty grower.

There is no right or wrong answer in deciding where to purchase annual cut flower seeds for the year. I hope these questions will help you clarify your answer.

When is the Best Time to Purchase Annual Flower Seeds?

If you are reading this in April or May, it is likely too late to get the best selection. The most popular varieties of cut flowers go out of stock within days of the seed company opening the website for business. If you love a company, you must get on their email list and stalk them on Instagram. It’s the only way to ensure you will know when their shop is open for business.

If you’re looking for perennials, dahlias, or ranunculus, flowers like these will often go on sale in the fall around September/October and will be shipped out in the spring. You can still usually purchase them in the spring, but the most popular varieties are usually not available.

Want to start a backyard flower farm on the cheap? Here’s how one flower farmer did it.

Now, on to the list!!

Please know that I have not personally purchased from all of these companies, although I have from most of the Canadian companies and a few of the American ones. In the case of companies where I have not personally purchased, I have researched their site with the thought in mind, “If I could purchase from this company, does it have enough selection and specialty varieties for me to want to do so?” If the answer is yes, it made the list.

Finally, if there’s a company you think should be on this list, please let us know in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase something by after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more about it here in my Privacy Policy.

P.S. Once you’ve figured out where to order cut flower seeds from, up your bouquet making skills.

Canadian Companies

1. Incredible Seed Company

The selection may not be as large as some other companies, but what is there is very on-trend, and all seeds that the Incredible Seed Company sells are heirloom varieties, so you know you can save the seeds. The Tower Chamois Asters and Charbaud Picotee Dianthus mix are on my must have list.

Also, they stock cracker jack marigolds, which are not the most common cut flower, but one of my favourites for its versatility in both the cut flower garden and the vegetable garden. My baby also enjoyed ripping up the blooms I gave her to play with last summer. 🙂

2. Edgebrook Farm

I might be making a pretty big claim here, but I would consider Edgebrook Farm the Floret Farm of Canada. They are completely revamping their cut flower selection and I am marking my calendar for December 2nd, 2019. If you are wanting to get into flower farming for profit, the seed selection at Edgebrook can’t be beat.

I really appreciate that you can filter their cut flowers by colour or form, and that they have an extensive selection of dahlias. New to cut flowers? I highly recommend the Garden collection of dahlias. Its a small but beautiful collection that will get you hooked on the wonderful world of dahlias. No ugly big-box-store-varieties here!

3. Veseys

I personally love Veseys because it is truly one-stop-online-shopping for everything plants. The selection of vegetable seeds, cut flower seeds, and perennials is all really good. New to flower gardening? The perennial kits are a no-brainer way to start a flower bed.

Veseys is also one of the few places that has bulk quantities of seed and perennials that you can order as a gardener and not a farmer.

Last year I ordered calendula, zinderella peach zinnias, and my queen lime series of zinnias with great results.

(Slightly unrelated–if you do order flowers from there, you must hop over to the vegetable section and order yourself a packet of Sunset Orange Paste tomato seeds. Amazing fresh taste, great for making tomato sauce less acidic, each plant has TONS of tomatoes, and if you ripen them indoors they do not go bad quickly.)

4. Whistling Prairie

Whistling Prairie is a flower farm in Southern Saskatchewan and Dawn has one of the most beautiful & honest accounts on Instagram. When she opens the cart for seed, bulb, or dahlia sales, the flowers fly off the shelves. This year I was able to score two varieties of ranunculus, and I hope to purchase more if I can just get it together and get on the site immediately when it opens! It’s worth the trouble, as the tulip and dahlia varieties she carries are so gorgeous.

Related: The 36 Best Cut Flowers You Can Grow

5. Antonio Valente Flowers

I wish I new Antonio in real life, because when I read his captions on Instagram, I want to cheer for team flowers every time. And I’d love to sit down, drink coffee, and chat flowers. Oh who are we kidding, I’d want to see the farm! Anyway. . .

Antonio Valente Flowers carries a Floret-style assortment of dahlias, tulips, ranunculus, anemones, and narcissus. His offerings usually sell out fast, so get online ASAP when the shop opens for best selection. My favourites are the Cornel Bronze dahlias and Renown Unique tulips.

6. Dahlia May Flower Farm

Dahlia May Flower Farm is a family farm offering bulbs, corms, subscriptions, and bulk flower purchasing for DIY wedding flowers in the summer. The tulip bulbs always go quickly, but I was surprised to see when I was researching this post that almost all the ranunculus varieties were still available. If you haven’t grabbed any yet this season, head on over and order yours.

7. Brecks

Looking for perennials as part of your cut flower garden? Brecks is the place. You can filter the perennials be zone, exposure, colour, height, bloom time, and usage. Make sure to check the Cut Flowers box under usage to make sure the perennials you buy will have long enough stems. The Super Saks are a great deal if you have a large space to fill.

As for my favourites, the Pink Hawaiian Coral peony, October Sky dahlia, and Creme de la Creme phlox are on my must-have list.

Brecks is a Canadian company, but they also ship to the US and internationally.

8. Unicorn Blooms

Unicorn Blooms is another flower grower with a swoon-worthy Instagram account. They have large quantities for flower farmers, and smaller quantities for home gardeners. If you’re a Canadian Flower Farmer, this is one of the go-to places for Floret-style flowers in large quantities in Canada.

The offerings were quite small at the time I wrote this post, however, I know that they are continually updated depending on when its time to plant a certain flower. Get on their mailing list or check back often for availability.

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    American Companies

    As a Canadian, I am always very excited when American companies ship to Canada. I have included a note about the ones that ship here. If you are a Canadian purchasing from an American company, please note that you will not be able to purchase any perennials, some annuals, and occasionally your order will not be allowed to cross the border.

    If you are an American reading this list, I would love to know what companies you would add.

    1. Floret Flower Farm

    Due to the popularity of their small-scale flower farming book, Floret Flower Farm is the go-to seed company for beautiful, on-trend flowers. If you are planning to purchase anything from Floret, I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter so you can mark your calendar when flowers and seeds are available for purchase.

    The most popular varieties sell out FAST. So fast that if you don’t purchase on the opening day, you might not get what you want. They also ship to Canada, but some varieties are not allowed to cross the border–bread poppies & peony poppies, I’m looking at you!!!

    If you loved the first Floret book, you’ll want to get on the waiting list for the second, A Year in Flowers, and the third book about Dahlias coming soon.

    I couldn’t resist including a pic from my Floret-style photoshoot!

    2. Johnny’s Seeds

    Didn’t get your order in fast enough at Floret? Go to Johnny’s Seeds where you’ll find just as beautiful and on-trend colours and varieties. Excellent selection and good prices. Get your vegetable seeds there too, as the selection is very impressive. Johnny’s Seeds offers different quantities of seeds for flower farmers or home gardeners and they also ship to Canada!

    3. Harris Seeds & Garden Trends

    Harris Seeds has every type of cut flower seed you could possibly want in large quantities for flower farmers. Its sister company, Garden Trends, offers a similar selection in quantities more suitable for the home gardener.

    I like the Double Click Rose Bon Bon Cosmos, Larkspur Cannes Mix, and their beautiful collection of Ornamental Kale.

    Related: How to Create a Beautiful Cut Flower Bouquet

    4. Select Seeds

    Select Seeds also has an impressive variety of unusual and on-trend cut flowers. The Apricot Lemonade Cosmos are a must-have that I haven’t seen on any other seed companies page. There are over 50 varieties of zinnias and I really need the Eldarado one in my life (a double flowering salmon colour). The rare finds section is also worth a look. They also ship to Canada for a flat rate of $15

    Double flowering buttercream and apricot stock.

    5. White Flower Farm

    No annual seeds here, but a very impressive selection of beautiful perennials. If you want to focus on perennial cut flowers, White Flower Farm is an excellent mail-order option. I’ve found over the years when I’ve researched them, that the website is always up to date, and whatever is seasonal and on offer looks so good, making me wish I could order there!

    My American readers assure me that the quality of the perennials you order is second to none. I also appreciate how you can filter perennials by price, zone, growing conditions, colour, and more.

    6. Swallowtail Garden Seeds

    Swallowtail Garden Seeds is based in the US, but will ship to both Canada and Internationally for a reasonable flat fee. The selection is impressive and there are quite a few varieties that I didn’t see anywhere else in my research.

    Must-haves for me include cupcakes pink zinnias, Queen lime with blotch zinnias, Gypsy charmer sunflower, and anything in the twinny snapdragon series.

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    European Companies

    I’m sure there are many other growers whose websites are in different languages, but these are the English-language ones I could find. If you know of any good growers whose website is in another language in Europe, please let us know in the comments.

    1. Chiltern Seeds

    They have over 1000 cut flower varieties for sale. Enough said.

    2. Seedaholic

    I love that Seedaholic has separate sections for cut flowers, dried flowers, edibles, and flowers that are good for natural dyes. Also a good selection of wildflowers and bee-friendly options.

    3. Sarah Raven

    A beautiful selection of unique cut flowers in trendy colours. I especially love the cut flower garden kit, which is a selection of easy to grow cut flowers perfect for the beginner gardener. There’s just enough of each variety to keep a backyard flower gardener in bouquets all season long.

    4. Suttons

    The Cut Flower Wall Chart and Growing Guide is very helpful for trying to plan your backyard garden. Even if you don’t live in the UK and the timings don’t quite apply to your situation, its still helpful for planning out enough filler, thriller, and spiller flowers for your garden.

    Got all your flowers and looking for vegetable seeds? Here’s 20 more companies me and my readers recommend.

    There you have it, 18 different cut flower places to order cut flowers online! I’d love to hear if there’s a hidden gem I’ve missed.

    Ready to grow your own beautiful cut flower garden, without the hassel?

    I’ve taken all the guesswork out of creating a cut flower garden with my e-book, Cut Flowers Made Simple. It’s the perfect way for beginner and intermediate gardeners to start their own cut flower garden with or without seed starting.

    Click on the picture to find out more or get your copy.

    How to Overwinter Dahlias in Cold Climates

    Dahlias are arguably one of the most beautiful cut flowers to grow, but they can be one of the trickiest to overwinter in cold climates, such as my zone 3 garden in the Canadian Prairies. If not stored properly, dahlia tubers can either rot or dry out–destroying your precious dahlias!! And let’s be real, a Cafe au Lait dahlia tuber is not cheap and you don’t want that baby to die on you. In this post, I’ll show you how to take care of your dahlias over winter, so they come back again next Spring.

    P.S. A special thanks to Chantelle of City Girl Flower Farm for letting me photograph her beautiful dahlias.

    Can’t I just keep my dahlias in the Ground over Winter?

    Unless you live in zone 8 or higher, you can not keep dahlia tubers in the ground over winter. If you do, they will rot and become compost. In fact, you must dig them out before the first hard frost, and it’s better if you can get them out shortly after the first hard frost.

    Dahlias need to be stored in the darkness in a heated garage or cool (but not freezing!) basement. You’ll also need a container to store them in, such as a flat cardboard box or large plastic container.

    Label Dahlias before the First Frost

    Once there is a risk of frost in the forecast, label the plants by tying survey tape or some other label around the very bottom of the stem. You need to do this step before the first frost so you can see every dahlia and know what it is. Unless you have a large flower farm where every section is already labelled, you will not remember what dahlia is which once frost hits and they are all shrivelled up.

    Take note of what height the dahlias are if you have a bunch that are of varying heights.

    Remove dahlias shortly after a hard frost

    Once a hard frost has hit, trim off the stems, leaving 10 cm/4 inches or a bit less. Dig out the dahlia with a shovel, brush off the dirt, and let it dry for a day or two. Let them dry in a spot that gets no direct sun or frost.

    While the typical wisdom says to remove dahlias after the first hard frost (around -5 degrees Celsius), the weather in Saskatchewan and other cold climates is not typical and you should use your best judgement.

    Related: The 36 Best Flowers for a Cut Flower Garden

    There are years that we’ve had surprise -30 temperatures in October. Maybe you have a lot of dahlias to remove and are short on time. If you can’t get your dahlias out shortly after that first hard frost, it’s better to start removing them shortly after the first light frost, than risk time getting away from you and the weather getting too cold.

    How cold is too cold? There’s no simple answer, but consider this–Dahlias can survive a frost or two if the ground is still warm. I’d be worried if my dahlias were exposed to multiple nights of -4 to -10 degrees Celsius outdoors. And finally, a frozen dahlia tuber is a dead dahlia tuber.

    Again, use your best judgement and err on the side of caution.

    How to Store Dahlias So They Bloom next Year

    There are a couple of different methods for storing dahlias so they survive the winter in your basement. No method is better than another, pick one that you feel is most convenient for you.

    1. Wrap in Plastic: Place clean and labelled dahlias in a plastic grocery bag or black garbage bag. Do not tie the bag shut–you still want there to be some airflow. Place the bag in a cardboard box, making sure that the dahlias stay dark.
    2. Place the dahlias in a container with moist (but not wet!) peat moss, growing mix, or vermiculite–or a combination of all three. It doesn’t matter which one you choose. Cover loosely with a black plastic bag to keep it dark.
    3. Are your dahlias in containers? You can just trim the stem, cover the dahlia loosely so it is dark and there is still airflow, and store the whole container in the basement. You could also store it in an attached garage as long as the temperature doesn’t go below freezing.

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      Don’t set and forget–Check your dahlia tubers once a month.

      Caring for dahlias over the winter is not a set it and forget it proposition. Each month, you must uncover your dahlias to check and see if they have rotted or are starting to dry out. Ideally, your dahlia tubers should remain plump through out the winter.

      The key to preserving dahlia tubers over Winter: Darkness and Slight Moisture

      Dahlias are a bit of a diva when it comes to winter storage. They need utter darkness, and conditions that are moist, but not watery. The best way to achieve this is to mist them with water before storing them, and then to mist them again every month or two if they look like they’re starting to dry out.

      Don’t set your boxes of dahlias directly on a cement floor. The cement will steal the moisture and dry them out.

      Related: How to Grow a Floret-Style Cut Flower Garden on the Cheap

      If your dahlia tubers dry out over the winter, you can try to revive them by soaking them for an hour or two in a bowl of water, or giving them a generous misting. I’ve heard varying results on the internet about whether this works or not, but it’s worth a try.

      You can also just try and plant the dried out tuber directly into the ground in Spring. You might get lucky and it will grow.

      Get a head start on Your Dahlia Flowers in Spring

      The following instructions are best suited to my zone 3 climate in Saskatchewan, Canada, but can easily be adapted for zones 2-5. I’m assuming a last frost date of approximately May 21st.

      When you live in a place with a short growing season (90-100 days) you need to get a head start on growing your dahlias. Dahlias typically bloom from mid-to-late August and through September. If you get your tubers in late and there’s an early frost, you might not even get any blooms. (Ask me how I know!!)

      I bring my dahlias out from storage in mid to late April, mist them with water if they need it, and put them under a grow light or on a window ledge. A south facing window is best, but an East or West facing window will do. Most tubers start to get green shoots in about a week or so.

      If you have tubers that don’t get any green bits, don’t worry. You can still plant them and they will still grow once you put them outside. I would also try planting any tuber that look dried up on the off chance that they’ll survive. Don’t plant any tubers that have gone moldy.

      Once all risk of frost has past, take your tubers out to the garden and plant them. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful dahlias at the end of the season.

      Planting and overwintering dahlias is a bit of extra work, but the gorgeous blooms are well worth the effort. Will you grow dahlias this year?

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        22 Annual Flowers That Grow in the Shade

        Shade can be the bane of every flower gardener’s existence. You’d like something to brighten up that dark corner in your yard. . . but what? I’ve compiled a list of 22 annual flowers to fill up your shady flower bed, along with a few helpful hints for gardening in the shade.

        Thank you to reader Pauline Janzen for sharing this picture of her shade container.

        Partial Shade and Full Shade

        Not all shade is created equal. Partial shade is defined as an area that receives 3-4 hours of sun a day. Full shade receives less than 3 hours of sun or no sun whatsoever.

        When assessing your yard for how much shade an area gets, take into consideration any trees that currently do not have any leaves on them (if you’re doing this in winter or early spring). An annual shade plant that you’ve grown from seed may start off strong with dappled shade, (the kind made from leafy trees) only to stall out on growth once all the leaves fill in.

        A beautiful fuchsia from reader Pauline Janzen

        Bigger is Better

        If you are a beginner gardener, I recommend buying your shade plants started from a garden centre. A lot of annual flowers need to be started indoors in January and February and if this the first year in your journey, it’s a task that’s best left to someone else.

        When buying starters, buy the biggest plant you can afford–especially if you’re planting in full shade. Sure, small plants will do fine in full shade. But they won’t fill out the space the way you were hoping. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way!

        If you can’t purchase larger plants, plan on spacing your smaller ones closer together for a nice block of colour.

        I could not resist including this adorable pic from reader Shelley Lynn of her begonia and her sweet dog.

        Shade Flowers Don’t Have to Be Boring!

        If you’ve been gardening for longer, it’s easy to get bored of the same old begonias, impatients, and coleus. (Note to new gardeners: these are the pillars of annual shade plants that will work without a lot of fuss!) Hopefully this list of 24 shade loving annuals gives you some new inspiration.

        P.S: U.S. readers, White Flower Farm has a very good selection of shade plants for sale online. I wish I could order there, but alas, they do not ship to Canada.

        Looking for Shade Perennials instead? Here’s 17 Shade-Loving Perennials to fill up your flower bed.

        24 Annual Flowers that Love the Shade

        Alyssum

        Alyssum is a lovely flower for borders and makes a beautiful cut flower.

        Balsam

        Before there were impatients, there were balsam flowers. While you likely won’t find these in the garden centre, you can start them from seed approximately 8 weeks before intended bloom. The taller varieties are lovely for cut flower gardens, and a big planting of them gives your yard a cottage-garden vibe.

        Begonia

        New to gardening in the shade? Make sure you get a begonia or two (or more!) They come in many different sizes and colours. My personal favourite are the large double ones pictured below, but in a yellow with pink edges.

        Browallia

        Browallia is a lovely blue/purple star shaped flower that’s good for borders and containers. It’s also quite low maintenance and does not spread.

        Calendula

        Calendula is both beautiful to look at and is very useful in the garden. It makes a good cut flower and is an excellent companion plant in the vegetable garden. Dried calendula flowers can be used in herbal teas, tinctures, soaps, and more.

        Cleome

        Also known as a spider flower, the cleome can be a prolific self-seeder in some zones.

        Coleus

        Not sure what to add to your containers in the shade? Coleus is always an excellent choice. It’s widely available in a rainbow of colours at your local garden centre or big box store. Plus, you can take cuttings indoors before the first frost and enjoy as a houseplant over the winter.

        Fuchsia

        As a I child, I always thought that fuchsias looked like little ballerinas. I’ve loved them ever since and enjoy them as a hanging plant on my shady front porch. Be prepared to do a lot of dead-heading, but also be prepared to enjoy their lovely blooms all summer long.

        German Ivy

        German Ivy does well in both sun and shade and has been a staple in my family’s containers for 30 years. Every fall before the first frost my Mom brings a couple of cuttings indoors for the winter, and they grow enough that she can make new cuttings in the spring. She is still using cuttings every spring from the original plant she bought 30 years ago.

        Hydrangea (Sort of)

        Okay, okay, I know. A hydrangea is NOT an annual. However, in zone 3 where I garden, we are inundated with hydrangea plants that are not hardy to our area, no matter how much we wish it were so. So if you can’t resist that hydrangea that is never going to survive here, treat it like an annual, put it in a pot, and enjoy it for the summer with realistic expectations.

        P.S. There are hydrangeas that are hardy to zone 3, such as Invincibelle.

        Impatiens

        Impatiens are another practically-no-fail-flower for the beginner gardener. They also come in many colours and varieties. I personally love the double impatiens. (The ones pictured here are the most typical ones you’ll find at the garden centre.)

        Larkspur (Consolida)

        Searching for a larkspur can be a bit confusing, as you’ll wind up being shown a lot of sun-loving delphiniums. Ask for a consolida instead, and you’ll find the shade loving annual flower you’re looking for.

        Lobelia

        Lobelia is another annual that does well in either sun or shade.

        Lysimachia (Creeping Jenny)

        Lysimachia is hardy from zones 2-10 and is a great plant to grow in a shady area where nothing else will grow. However, because of it’s invasive nature, you need to check if this plant is banned in your area or not before planting it. To do that, google your province or state plus the term “invasive plants.” You should get a list of plants that are not recommended in your area.

        Planting in a container, as shown below, should be fine. (P.S. It’s the green vine, not the purple flower.)

        Monkey Flower

        I love monkey flowers, but I know from experience that this is one flower that will not grow much in full shade. Plant in part shade or even part sun if you have it.

        Nicotiana

        Nicotiana comes in many sizes in white, pink, red, and purple. They have a lovely fragrance, especially in the evening.

        Oxalis

        Oxalis will survive in the shade, but expect less blooms than if you were planting them in the sun.

        Pansy

        I love pansies and always have a few in my garden. Pansies come in so many beautiful shades of white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, and pink that you’ll find it next to impossible to just choose one colour. Pansies are also edible flowers and brighten up your summer salads.

        Polka Dot Plant

        Polka dot plants provide some beautiful colour to any shade garden, and can be brought indoors and propagated over the winter.

        Salvia

        Also commonly called wild sage.

        Snapdragon

        Have a shady spot in your cut flower garden? Consider adding some snapdragons! If you’re planting from seed, carefully check the packet that you have a tall variety (for cut flowers) or a dwarf variety (for containers).

        Planning a cut flower garden? Here’s 36 must-have flowers!!

        Sweet Potato Vine

        Sweet potato vine is easy to grow and comes in many beautiful colours. This YouTube video is a bit dated, but shows how many options there are.

        Torenia (Wishbone Flower)

        Torenia is a lovely trailing flower that works well in containers. It is attractive to hummingbirds and not attractive to deer.

        Do you have any annual shade flowers you’d add to this list? Tell me about it in the comments!

        Coming up with a flower garden design can be tricky, especially when it's in a spot with lots of shade. Here's 22 shade loving annual flowers that are great for front yards, back yards, or containers. Some even make great cut flowers!

        How to Create a Stunning Bouquet with Annuals from Your Backyard

        I recently interviewed urban flower farmer and artist Danielle Fulawka and she gave me so much flowery-goodness to work with that I needed to split up her interview into two posts.  If you haven’t read how she transformed her rocky city yard into an urban flower farm for $2000, you can read that here.  In today’s post, Danielle shares her favourite flower varieties and the rules you need to know to make a beautiful bouquet with your own homegrown flowers.

        Wish you knew how to make a Floret style cut flower arrangement like a flower farmer? Wish no more! Danielle Fulawka gives us tips, trick, and ideas for beautiful and easy bouquets from annual flowers you can grow in your own backyard flower garden. #growingflowers #bouquets #annualflowers #flowerfarmer #flowergarden
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        Welcome!

        Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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