10 Flowers You Can Sow In August For Next Spring Blooms (By Zone)

The month of August is typically considered “too hot” to plant anything. Gardeners will usually wait it out and opt for planting in late September or early October. 

That said, just because it’s a common practice doesn’t make it logical or correct! 

In today’s article, let’s go over a long curated list of flowers you can plant in August to achieve beautiful blooms by springtime. To make things simpler, I’ll be dividing all the different flowers by zones, so that you can pick your options and not waste time and effort on flowers that your regional climate won’t accommodate. 

What Kind Of Flowers Can You Sow In August?

August is the best time to sow hardy annuals. They’re strong and resilient enough to survive the upcoming winter period and continue growing quite well.

Biennials are another solid planting option. They’ll typically produce foliage in the first year and blooms in the second. 

Avoid planting tender annuals like zinnias or marigolds that require continuously warm soil for growth, since the transitional period after August will chill the soil and make it incompatible. 

You might be surprised to learn that August is also a great month for sowing vegetables, depending on your growing zone. Here’s a full guide by zone.

How Does August Sowing Work? It’s Very Simple!

So, one thing you should know about August sowing is that flower seeds germinate in late summer, and the month of August provides just the right amount of warmth to trigger germination. As winter sets in, small rosettes/seedlings begin to form. 

This kind of initial growth timeline results in stronger root system formation and bigger, fuller blooms that look like they’re meant to be. 

Flowers You Can Sow In August For Next Spring Blooms

1: Larkspur (Consolida Ajacis)

Larkspur flowers do really well in the fall and should be planted in zones 6-9, ideally with some mulch around their base to limit root damage in cold conditions. DO NOT deprive this annual of sunlight; it needs full sun to produce meaningful growth. 

2: Cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus)

Cornflowers are a solid flower option for zones 5-9. They need full sun for optimal growth and typically bloom in late spring to early summer. 

3: Shirley Poppy (Papaver Rhoeas)

This bright annual should be planted in mild to slightly warm zones like between 3-9. The Shirley poppy is a mid to late spring bloomer that needs plenty of light and care to do well. 

If you’re looking for blooms this year, not next, check out these annual flowers you can still plant in August.

4: Nigella (Love-In-A-Mist)

Nigellas are perfect for warmer zones like 6-9 and can be found blooming boldly in late spring, as long as they’re given enough warmth and sunlight.   

5: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea)

Plant foxgloves in milder environments, like in zones 4-6. They’re short-lived perennials that bloom in the second year, typically around late spring or early summer. Fortunately, foxgloves can tolerate part shade conditions as well, but should be given bright, indirect light for the most part. 

6: Sweet William (Dianthus Barbatus)

Sweet Williams can grow in a wide range of zones from 3-8. They’re a second-year, late spring bloomer, but, unlike foxgloves, they need full sun to thrive. 

For even more repeat bloomers, here’s a list of perennials that bloom again if you cut them back in summer.

7: Honesty (Lunaria Annua)

This self-seeding biennial does well in specific zones (plant between 4-8) and is a strong mid-spring bloomer, although it does bloom in the second year. While I suggest you plant these in part shade, there’s nothing wrong with growing them in full sun. 

8: California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica)

California poppies are the perfect candidate for extremely warm zones like 8-10, otherwise, spring sowing is better. They obviously need full sun and bloom from early to mid spring, which is a considerably short blooming period. 

9: Wallflower (Erysimum Cheiri)

Wallflowers, too, prefer warmer zones like 6-9 and should be planted in part shade to avoid leaf scorching. You’ll find them blooming beautifully from early to mid spring, and disappearing soon afterwards. 

10: Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis Sylvatica)

Forget-me-nots can thrive in a wide range of zones, be it 3 or 9. They bloom in early to mid-spring, and bright sunny conditions can help them produce even more colorful flowers. 

During extreme heat, however, it’s best to move them away from the sun and underneath some shade.

And while you’re sowing seeds, don’t forget your indoor plants. Summer is the perfect time to prune these houseplants and encourage fresh growth. 

Let’s Conclude

No matter how much somebody tries to convince you that August is a useless month for sowing flowers, DO NOT fall for it! There are plenty of hardy annuals and biennials that thrive in the warmth of August and can withstand the change in conditions that follows soon after.