The 10 Easiest Perennials to Start from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting perennials from seed can be a rewarding process, allowing you to cultivate beautiful, long-lasting flowers and foliage. Here, we explore the top 10 perennials that are both easy to start from seed and thrive in various environments, making them ideal for beginners or seasoned gardeners alike.

1. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies are renowned for their durability and beauty. These perennials can flourish in the harshest conditions, with trumpet-shaped blooms emerging from a vibrant sea of green foliage. Some varieties even produce re-blooms if the spent blooms and stems are promptly pruned away.

2. Candytuft (Dianthus)

Characterized by perky, pink to scarlet blooms atop compact silvery blue-green foliage, Candytuft is a perfect addition to the perennial bed border. Its colorful blooms and tidy spread make it an excellent choice for borders and garden edges.

3. Ferns

Ferns bring a touch of sophistication to your garden, especially when planted in mass or among other shade-loving perennials. They provide a lush, textured backdrop that enhances the beauty of surrounding plants. With their delicate fronds and lush growth, ferns are a must-have for any shade garden.

4. Geraniums (Pelargonium)

With vibrant violet-blue, lavender pink, or white saucer-shaped blooms, geraniums are a delight to behold. Their delicate mound of lobed foliage supports an impressive array of blooms, making them ideal for container gardens or as bedding plants. They can adapt well to a wide range of environments and can be re-planted into the landscape once the blooming season is over, ensuring continuous beauty in your garden.

5. Heliopsis (False Sunflower)

Heliopsis, also known as false sunflower, is a native, sturdy perennial that thrives in various environments. Its cheerful blooms, often a bright yellow, make it a cheerful addition to the middle of a perennial bed. Despite its sun-loving nature, it is perfectly adapted to withstand cooler temperatures, making it a versatile choice for gardeners.

6. Plumbago (Plumbago scandens)

Plumbago features cobalt blue blooms that appear in late summer or fall, along with attractive red-tipped foliage. This plant is perfect for the perennial garden border due to its ease of care, tear-shaped leaves, and non-invasive nature. It spreads easily in the landscape, filling in gaps and providing a beautiful backdrop for other plants.

7. Salvias

Salvias are known for their long bloom time, making them a favorite among gardeners. By deadheading, you can encourage re-blooms throughout the summer, ensuring a continuous display of color. Salvias are reliable performers, known for their durability and versatility, making them a staple in any garden.

Additional Tips for Seed Starting

For a variety of other perennials that are also easy to start from seed, such as nasturtiums, lobelias, cosmos, daisies, snapdragons, stock, and poppies, the process is similar. Scatter the seeds mixed in with sand or mark where they are planted using food dye. Plant in late winter or early spring as soon as the ground can be worked, following the packet instructions carefully, and lightly cover the seeds with no more than 1/8 inch of soil.

Easy Seed Starting for Vegetables

For a bountiful vegetable garden, consider starting seeds for beans, melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, radishes, beets, kale, and spinach. Germinating these seeds indoors and then transplanting them outside at the recommended time can yield quick results. The process for starting onion seedlings is similar and can be applied to many other vegetables.

Conclusion

Starting perennials and vegetables from seed is a cost-effective and rewarding way to enhance your garden. By following the tips provided here, you can cultivate a variety of beautiful and functional plants, ensuring a thriving landscape for years to come.