11 Best Annual Flowers To Sow In June (It’s Not Too Late!)

Amongst us gardeners, there’s always a silent consensus on which months are the best to grow certain plants. However, I often tend to have controversial and unorthodox takes that many old-school gardeners would disagree with.

One of my unorthodox takes is that annual flowers grow best when sown in June. It may sound odd to some, but I’ve seen better growth and blooms with later sowing. BUT, you can also sow these in June to keep the color going as earlier blooms begin to fade.

In today’s article, I’m going to guide you around planting annual flowers in June and why it’s probably the best month to grow these flowers. Let’s jump straight into it! 

Why June Planting Works?

Because the month of June offers higher soil temperatures, seed sprouting is sped up, and indoor seed starting becomes unnecessary. 

Thanks to longer days in June, more daylight will result in faster maturity and stronger plant development. 

Picking fast-growing, heat-loving annuals is key for growing the best flowers in June. You want to avoid slow-maturing flowers for now. 

By planting in waves, you can replace early spring flowers that are fading with fresh color that picks up right where they left off. It’s a simple strategy to keep your garden vibrant and full of life well into late summer and even fall.

Best Annual Flowers To Sow In June

1: Zinnias

Zinnias bloom fully in about 50 days of sowing. This annual loves heat, is super low maintenance, and ideal for cutting.

2: Cosmos

Bloom time for cosmos ranges anywhere between 50-55 days. These are tall, airy flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

3: Marigold

Marigolds bloom about 45-60 days after sowing. They’re super easy to grow, have a pest-repelling nature, and offer both compact and tall varieties to fit all garden sizes. 

4: Sunflowers (Dwarf Varieties)

The mighty sunflower takes roughly 55-65 days to start blooming. This is a quick-growing annual that’s perfect for planting around borders or in small to medium-sized pots.

5: Nasturtium

Fully blooming in only 45–50 days after sowing, nasturtiums offer edible flowers that are great for containers or trailing over edges.

6: Calendula

Calendulas are cool-season tolerant, but still bloom fast in early summer. Often, these annuals can be seen adding vibrant color to the garden in 45-50 days of sowing. 

7: Alyssum

Tiny alyssum blooms take about 40–50 days to begin blooming fully. They’re great for borders and containers, but can also be made a part of the garden for their fragrant properties. 

8: Cleome (Spider Flower)

Although cleomes take around 60-65 days to bloom, which is relatively longer compared to other annuals on this list, they still perform very well in June thanks to their heat-loving nature. Cleomes are also deer-resistant, making them a solid choice for gardeners who may be dealing with frequent deer visits in their gardens. 

9: Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)

Like cleomes, tithonias also take about 60 days to start blooming after sowing. They offer bold, orange flowers that attract tons of pollinators to the garden, especially in June. 

10: Portulaca (Moss Rose)

Portulacas are drought-tolerant, annual succulents with bright blooms that can add unique color and a soft, velvety texture to your garden. They’re perfect for hot, dry spots.

11: Verbena (Annual Type)

In my humble opinion, verbenas are the perfect groundcover. They’re surprisingly quick to bloom and keep going with regular deadheading. 

Tips For Success With June-Sown Annuals

Let’s Conclude

I don’t know if I’ve ever said this or not, but growing annuals is definitely more fun for me than growing perennials. There, I said it.

Even though perennials come back every year, there’s just something about the work you put into welcoming and caring for a temporary annual guest. Next year, you get to replant the same flower or maybe try sowing a different annual in the same spot. 

It’s like the difference between using a slow cooker and cooking a meal from scratch every night. One offers convenience, but the other brings a hands-on satisfaction you just can’t replicate.