13 Classic Garden Flowers to Start From Seed in March
Classic garden flowers are essential in any garden, no matter the design. Many are easy to grow from seed, perfect for starting in March. Garden expert Madison Moulton shares 13 must-have flowers that bring traditional charm to any garden.
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Classic garden flowers have stood the test of time for good reason. These garden staples are often associated with cottage gardens or traditional English designs, bringing charm and color season after season. Many are also easy to grow from seed, letting you fill your garden quickly without spending too much money.
March is the perfect time to start many of these classics from seed. Some perform better sown in trays indoors, while others prefer direct sowing and hate being transplanted. Check your region’s last frost date and specific variety requirements to get the timing right.
Black-Eyed Susan
These short-lived perennials are must-haves in any classic flower garden. As native wildflowers, they not only provide impressive color and prolific blooming but also attract pollinators. Even better, their winter seed cones supply food for birds, too.
Start your black-eyed Susan flower seeds early in March (around 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date) and they may flower in the first year. In warmer climates, you can sow directly outdoors in March, about 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost. While they look good in groups, these flowers really shine when planted en masse.
Carnation
Carnations are quintessential cottage garden flowers that no traditional garden should be without. You’ll find them in a range of classic colors, perfect for cutting either on their own or combined with other blooms. They can even be dried to extend their beauty long after cutting.
If you’re into edible flowers, carnations make colorful garnishes for salads or desserts. Just keep in mind that the central disc is quite bitter and better for decoration rather than flavor.
Start them indoors around 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow one to two weeks before if that falls in March. For more color variety in your garden, try seed mixes like ‘Chabaud Blend’.
Coneflower
Coneflowers are staples in perennial and pollinator gardens. They’re incredibly beginner-friendly, blooming reliably and attracting pollinators from emergence until frost. Even after the flowers fade, those central cones will keep feeding birds through fall and winter.
These take 10 to 20 days to germinate and are best started 10 to 12 weeks before your last frost date. If you’re in a cold climate where spring arrives late, March is perfect for starting these flower seeds indoors.
Those in warmer spots can direct sow 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost, right up until two months before first frost.
Delphinium
If you want height and drama in your flower garden, delphiniums are the answer. They look stunning in groups and maintain this presence in vases, making them great for cut flower gardens. Try a blend like ‘Pacific Giant’ for a range of colors (from soft blues and purples to blush pink and white) that will catch your eye.
These flowers like things a bit warmer than the previous entries on this list. Start these flower seeds in March if your last frost date is 6 to 8 weeks away. In warmer climates (USDA zones 7 and above), wait until one to two weeks after the last frost. Those in milder spots can also start seeds later this year in midsummer for spring flowers the following season.
Foxglove
Another excellent cut flower, foxgloves have tall flower spikes in eye-catching colors with their classic trumpet shape. While they produce foliage in year one and flowers in year two, they’ll self-sow afterward to keep your beds full of color.
They prefer partial shade, making them perfect for spots near taller blooms or crops that provide some afternoon cover from harsh direct sun.
Foxgloves don’t transplant well, so it’s best to direct sow 1 to 2 weeks after last frost. For March planting, that means warmer USDA zones only. But if you’re in a cooler zone, try sowing in biodegradable pots 8 to 10 weeks before last frost to reduce root disturbance.
Hollyhocks
When I think of classic cottage garden flowers, hollyhocks are the first to come to mind. Their tall spikes have impressive large blooms in a range of colors, attracting all sorts of pollinators. That height makes them perfect backdrops in perennial beds.
Like foxgloves, hollyhocks prefer direct sowing and hate being transplanted. Plant them about 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date. If your March timing works out, you can start in biodegradable pots indoors instead 6 to 8 weeks before last frost.
Lavender
There’s no denying lavender’s place in a classic flower garden. These plants are beloved for their resilience, wonderful scent, and their ability to attract pollinators. They are endlessly useful both outdoors and indoors (and even in the kitchen if you’re feeling adventurous).
You need a little patience when growing these flowers from seed, as they take a while to germinate. Start them indoors 10 to 12 weeks before your last frost date. This should be perfect timing for March flower seed sowing in cooler regions.
Marigold
You might be surprised to see heat-loving marigolds on this list. But if you’re in a warmer climate (USDA zones 7 and above), March is a great time to start these cheerful flowers. They come in a range of warm colors to brighten up your garden. The flowers are even edible, with a pungent flavor similar to their scent.
Start them indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost date. In USDA zones 9 and above, you can direct sow outdoors in March once soil temperatures hit 70 to 80°F.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are common in vegetable gardens, serving as both edible flowers and trap crops for pests. But their large blooms and easy-growing nature make them perfect for classic garden beds too.
I like placing them along the edges of beds where their circular leaves and flowers can trail down. But watch out—they tend to take over wherever they’re planted.
Skip indoor sowing for nasturtiums, as they don’t transplant well. March planting is reserved for warm climates, sowing outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after last frost when soil hits at least 55°F. They’ll pop up within two weeks.
Poppy
Like hollyhocks, poppies are also cottage garden staples, associated with remembrance and memorial. They have thin and delicate petals, but don’t let that delicate look fool you—they’re surprisingly tough and easy to grow. Even complete beginners will have success starting these flower seeds in March.
This is another flower that hates transplanting. The good news is they love the cold and need it to germinate, so even cold-climate gardeners can sow in March. Poppies also make great candidates for winter sowing. Start them 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost or as soon as you can work the soil.
Sunflower
Sunflowers bring delight to any garden, especially classic flower beds. Different varieties offer different heights and sizes (or even colors), and they’re all wonderful for pollinators.
If you’re growing them to harvest seeds, you might have to battle squirrels and birds, but that just means you’re feeding local wildlife, too. Even if they do get to them before you do, you’ll still enjoy the ornamental value they add all summer long.
Direct sow sunflower seeds one to two weeks after the last frost. For March sowing in cooler climates, start indoors 4 weeks before the last frost in biodegradable pots you can plant directly in the ground, as they don’t respond well to root disturbance.
Sweet Alyssum
Moving from massive blooms to tiny ones, sweet alyssum produces adorable flower clusters that no garden should be without. They’re drought-tolerant, heat-resistant, and perfect between other plants in rock gardens or containers. Plus, the flowers are edible with a mild mustard flavor, perfect in window boxes or hanging baskets near your kitchen.
These tough plants perform well when started indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. For outdoor sowing, wait until one to two weeks before the last frost when the soil is over 60°F. In mild climates, try fall sowing later this year for winter flowers.
Sweet Pea
The final March flower seed on our list is a cottage garden staple worldwide. The name says it all—these delicate blooms have a wonderful sweet fragrance that’s bound to remind you of traditional gardens from your childhood. That scent stays strong in cut flowers too, making them perfect for cutting gardens.
Try varieties like ‘Perfume Delight’ for a blend of colors (purple, red, white, blue, and cream) and better heat resistance. Sow these cold-tolerant flowers 4 to 6 weeks before last frost. In milder spots that miss the planting by March, try late fall or early winter sowing for spring blooms.
