It's not just bulbs that can be planted in the Fall. September is a great time to plant certain seeds too.
In Colorado, fall is an excellent time to plant certain seeds that can thrive in the cooler temperatures and establish roots before winter sets in. All of the seeds below can also be direct sown in Spring.
Bachelor Buttons (also alled cornflowers) - periwinkle blue, bloom Spring right through Fall. Hardy and thrives even in poor soils. Full sun.
Scabiosa (also called pincushion flowers) - butterflies love these; long bloom time with long stems perfect for cutting for bouquets.
Meadowfoam (also called poached egg plant due to its yellow center with white surround) - sow seeds indoors in Autumn and plant out in the Spring. These low-growing plants self-sow and naturalize in the garden, making them good for suppressing weeds. Adapted to poorly drained soils.
Nigella (also called love in a mist) - hardy annual that blooms in Spring when planted in September. Flower are surrounded by a lacy leaf structure, giving them an appearance of being surrounded by a mist. These have a short flowering time, so remember to succession plant.
Sea Holly - striking flower that bees and butterflies can't ignore. Stunning in bouquets and dried floral arrangements. Hardy, likes full sun in soil with good drainage. May not flower first year.
Black Eyed Susan (also called rudbekia) - blooms from June to August, often blanketing spaces with golden-yellow flowers with black centers. Full sun.
Wildflower mixes - mid- to late Fall is a good time to sow wildflower seed because subsequent winter cold and snow (moisture) will promote seed germination the following spring (a process called stratification). If sowing in spring or summer, check with the seed company if they have pre-treated (stratified) the perennial seeds.
Photos in gallery above are in order of flowers as listed in the text.
Bachelor Buttons (also alled cornflowers) - periwinkle blue, bloom Spring right through Fall. Hardy and thrives even in poor soils. Full sun.
Scabiosa (also called pincushion flowers) - butterflies love these; long bloom time with long stems perfect for cutting for bouquets.
Meadowfoam (also called poached egg plant due to its yellow center with white surround) - sow seeds indoors in Autumn and plant out in the Spring. These low-growing plants self-sow and naturalize in the garden, making them good for suppressing weeds. Adapted to poorly drained soils.
Nigella (also called love in a mist) - hardy annual that blooms in Spring when planted in September. Flower are surrounded by a lacy leaf structure, giving them an appearance of being surrounded by a mist. These have a short flowering time, so remember to succession plant.
Sea Holly - striking flower that bees and butterflies can't ignore. Stunning in bouquets and dried floral arrangements. Hardy, likes full sun in soil with good drainage. May not flower first year.
Black Eyed Susan (also called rudbekia) - blooms from June to August, often blanketing spaces with golden-yellow flowers with black centers. Full sun.
Wildflower mixes - mid- to late Fall is a good time to sow wildflower seed because subsequent winter cold and snow (moisture) will promote seed germination the following spring (a process called stratification). If sowing in spring or summer, check with the seed company if they have pre-treated (stratified) the perennial seeds.
Photos in gallery above are in order of flowers as listed in the text.