August planting of self-seeding flowers can effortlessly amplify your garden's blossoms, economically increasing them threefold without any monetary investment.
Self-Seeding Flowers to Transform Your Garden with Minimal Effort
For gardeners seeking a blooming oasis with minimal upkeep, self-seeding flowers are the perfect solution. These hardy plants not only require little care but also multiply themselves, ensuring continuous blooms throughout the seasons. Here are some of the best self-seeding flowers to plant in August for a garden that thrives with minimal effort.
Cosmos are hardy annuals that thrive in full sun and poor soil, offering a vibrant display of pink, white, and orange blooms. These reliable self-seeders are quick to germinate when sown directly into the soil.
Marigolds and calendula are other reliable quick-growers with strong self-seeding habits. Their vibrant yellow to orange flowers add a splash of colour to any garden, and they are easy to cultivate from seed.
Zinnias are another excellent choice, producing long-lasting, colourful blooms that attract pollinators and reseed easily. With a variety of colours and sizes available, zinnias are a versatile addition to any garden.
Snapdragons tolerate cooler weather and can self-sow towards fall, offering vertical colour. These flowers' unique shape and colour make them a standout addition to any garden.
In addition to these annuals, there are several perennials that self-sow and offer continuous blooms. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a low-maintenance perennial that supports pollinators like monarch butterflies. Another perennial, coreopsis, self-sows and blooms throughout the season with bright yellow flowers, requiring very little care.
Daucus carota 'Dara' is a modern-looking umbellifer flower with soft, lacy foliage and dusky pink to burgundy blooms. This ornamental carrot is hardy in zones 2-11 and adds a touch of elegance to any garden.
Verbena bonariensis is an absolute staple in gardens that self-seed, and it adds a tall, airy, and elegant spike of purple flowers. This plant is a must-have for pollinator-friendly gardens.
Aquilegia vulgaris (Columbine) is a cottage garden favourite with sky-blue, pink, or white flowers and is one of the easiest annuals to grow. This plant gradually cross-pollinates, producing enchanting surprises in colour and form every spring. Columbine seeds can be left in the pods to self-seed all around the garden, providing interest when colour starts to fade.
Finally, the state flower of California, Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy), brings a splash of gold to poor, sandy soils and is one of the fastest growing flowers. Scatter seed of Eschscholzia californica in August for it to naturalize and multiply happily.
By planting these self-seeding flowers in August, watering regularly, especially in hot weather, and allowing spent flowers to drop seeds, you can establish a self-renewing garden with minimal effort and ongoing blooms. These flowers can be found at various online retailers such as Amazon, True Leaf Market, and other gardening suppliers. Happy gardening!
[1] Gardening Know How. (n.d.). Self-Seeding Flowers: The Best Plants to Grow with Minimal Effort. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how/flowers/annuals/self-seeding-flowers-best-plants-to-grow-with-minimal-effort.htm
[2] The Spruce. (n.d.). The Best Low-Maintenance Perennials for Your Garden. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.thespruce.com/low-maintenance-perennials-for-gardens-1398635
[3] The Old Farmer's Almanac. (n.d.). Self-Seeding Flowers for a Beautiful Garden. Retrieved January 16, 2023, from https://www.almanac.com/gardening/self-seeding-flowers-beautiful-garden
By incorporating self-seeding flowers such as cosmos, marigolds, calendula, zinnias, snapdragons, butterfly weed, coreopsis, Daucus carota 'Dara', verbena bonariensis, aquilegia vulgaris (columbine), and Eschscholzia californica (California poppy) into your home-and-garden lifestyle, you can transform your flower beds into a stunning and low-maintenance blooming oasis. These fashion-and-beauty additions not only require little care but also multiply themselves, ensuring continuous blooms throughout the seasons.
