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Over the next few weeks I am rebuilding two of our flower beds that got neglected this past year. One will be all sunflowers, as they do well and just fits that particular bed. The other had some tulips but we enlarged it a bit and I plan to add a bit more this fall.

I have been using the "broadcast" method of planting annual seeds. Just sprinkle the seeds, lightly rake it over and water. Zinnias have done really well and they flower for what seems like forever. I've read that shasta daisies and black-eyed Susan's make for good companion flowers (which I understand may actually be a perennial??) . I want to keep this simple.

Are there any other flowers I should be considering for this project? I typically have my seeds ordered not long after the new year, so we have some time.

Marigolds are a simple annual that can reseed themselves that come in a variety of sizes and colors. They keep blooming until they freeze in the fall.

JimFoxvog wrote:Marigolds are a simple annual that can reseed themselves that come in a variety of sizes and colors. They keep blooming until they freeze in the fall.

Can marigolds be direct seeded? I always knew them to be started indoors.

My wife is the flower expert so I consulted her. She likes to plant daffodils and grape hyacinths with her tulips. The daffodils and hyacinths will bloom earlier and the tulips later. She amends the soul with some bone meal after the blooms of the tulips die. This provides nutrients for the underground bulbs to multiply.

She likes to direct seed her marigolds near the tomatoes and squash. If you will look up companion planting you can find out why she does that.

steve-in-kville wrote: Can marigolds be direct seeded? I always knew them to be started indoors.

Yes, but they'll be earlier if you start them inside. One marigold plant gives you lots of seeds, so don't worry about poor germination; you'll probably get plenty.

I picked up some boxes of wildflower seed when the store had it reduced to get rid of them after the season. Now I'm not quite sure where to put them. I wonder if they'd do alright on a bank / slope where its too steep to mow?

Also, it says to plant them after all danger of frost is past in the spring or 8 - 10 weeks before first frost. We had our first frost here already. So does that mean we need to wait till spring? Or could we direct sow them now? If they had blossomed, the seeds would be dropping now.

One of the boxes is marigolds - I think we'll try direct seeding some of those too!

in our area wildflowers will grow quite well on banks.

I would wait til spring though. Winter can go either way.....

Your planting zone is important.
Some perennials in warmer climates are annuals in colder areas.

i love perennials, they are slower to establish, usually 2-3 years or more, planting annuals with new perennials brings color, fills in quickly, to bridge the gap.

Black-eyed Susans are native in my location, i love them; they self-seed, i consider them perennials because they self-seed so well. There are different varieties.

Zinnias and Morning Glories are so easy from seed, i planted them as a child and was not disappointed. We once used Morning Glories to shade a west-facing bay window. Worked beautifully. They grow and climb quickly from seed.

Marigolds are similar, and the varieties! Drought-resistent, too. i do not get the self-seeding from any of these better than the B-E Susans, which i count on.

Russian Sage does well, it’s a perennial here, i buy small plants, not seed. It’s a graceful companion plant for lots of uses. Bumble Bees love it in August.

Ornamental grasses are often perennial. Many varieties.

Bulbs are a favorite. However, the last planting i did, white tulips, bloomed beautifully the first year, not a one the next year! - i believe moles got to the bulbs. Next time i plan to use wire/screen to protect the bulbs underground. (i have not been able to find that same bulb variety.)

Years ago, i planted some Iris that came up well first year. They thrived, increasing blooms and bloom size every year, spectacular display.

Marigolds are thought to have a natural pest repellent, are often planted in vegetable patches, and near entryways. i have had some reseeding, but i do not count on it.

Annuals are fun, perennials make life easier.

We had some Four O'clocks that self seeded and Moon flowers. Both very fragrant, and evening flowering.

Thanks for the replies. Not sure why I thought Morning Glories were considered more of a weed, unless there is another variety I'm not aware of. I repurposed a wooden trellis in my rebuilt bed for something that climbs. Perhaps Morning Glories will fill that need?