Augment your garden blooms exponentially by planting these 7 self-sowing flowers in August, all without incurring any costs.
Planting Self-Seeding Flowers in August for a Vibrant and Effortless Garden
August is the perfect time to plant self-seeding flowers, ensuring a beautiful and effortless garden year after year. These flowers drop their seeds and grow on their own, requiring minimal effort after initial planting. Here are some of the best self-seeding flowers to consider:
Nigella damascena (Love-in-a-Mist)
This cottage garden favourite is known for its sky-blue, pink, or white flowers, transforming into striking ornamental seed pods once flowered. Love-in-a-Mist adds ethereal beauty to borders and dried arrangements, making it one of the best flowers to grow for drying.
Lunaria annua (Honesty)
With its papery seed pods, Lunaria annua adds an ethereal beauty to borders and dried arrangements. It is one of the best flowers to grow for drying, and is a great choice for those looking to add a touch of magic to their garden.
Centaurea cyanus (Bachelor's Button or Cornflower)
This classic wildflower is perfect for naturalistic meadowscaping and pollinator-friendly gardens. Centaurea cyanus is a delightful addition to any garden, with its bright blue flowers attracting a variety of pollinators.
Verbena bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis is an absolute staple in many gardens, and when discovered to be a self-seeding flower, brings delight to gardeners. This versatile plant produces purple pom-pom flowers and can thrive in a range of conditions, from full sun to part shade.
Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)
This fast-growing flower brings a splash of gold to poor, sandy soils. California Poppy is a great choice for those looking to add some late summer and fall color to their garden.
Aquilegia vulgaris (Common Columbine)
Aquilegia vulgaris enjoys dappled shade and has taken a shine to popping up all over the rockery in many gardens. This whimsical plant produces enchanting surprises in color and form every spring, making it a great choice for those looking to add some mystery to their garden.
Pot Marigolds and Borage
Pot Marigolds and Borage are also great choices for self-seeding flowers, adding a splash of color and attracting pollinators to your garden.
If you are gardening in Zone 7 or similar climates, perennials that self-seed effectively and bloom in August include echinacea, larkspur, and other cottage garden favourites that can return year after year with natural reseeding.
To maximize natural reseeding success, plant these self-seeders in well-drained soil with appropriate sunlight (often full sun to part shade depending on the species), and allow some flowers to go to seed without deadheading them.
Other fast-blooming annuals that can be planted in August and help fill the garden with late summer and fall color, though not always strictly self-seeding, include Cosmos, Zinnias, Marigolds, Calendula, and Snapdragons. These flowers may require some replanting effort, but their bright colors and pollinator-friendly nature make them worth considering.
Overall, planting a mix of these self-seeding flowers in August will give you an effortless and vibrant garden with blooms that return year after year, saving you time and money. Happy gardening!
[1] Marigolds, Calendula, and Snapdragons may require some replanting effort. [2] Echinacea, larkspur, and other cottage garden favourites that can return year after year with natural reseeding. [3] To maximize natural reseeding success, plant these self-seeders in well-drained soil with appropriate sunlight (often full sun to part shade depending on the species), and allow some flowers to go to seed without deadheading them. [4] If you are gardening in Zone 7 or similar climates.
- Incorporating home-and-garden favorites such as Marigolds, Calendula, and Snapdragons, in addition to self-seeding flowers like Nigella damascena, Lunaria annua, Centaurea cyanus, Verbena bonariensis, Eschscholzia californica, Aquilegia vulgaris, and pot Marigolds, can enhance your home-garden lifestyle and lifestyle by creating a vibrant and effortless garden.
- For those who enjoy gardening and want to effortlessly maintain their home-and-garden, self-seeding flowers like echinacea, larkspur, and other cottage garden plants are excellent choices, as they can naturally reseed year after year in well-drained soil with appropriate sunlight.
