It’s Not Too Late! 12 Summer Flowers You Can Plant in June
A beautiful garden full of colorful blooms is one of the joys of summer. There are lots of flowers that enjoy the summer heat, and it’s not too late to get them planted from seed. With warm soil and sunshine, June is the perfect time to plant these flowers.

For me, a summer garden means flowers! I love cutting them to bring inside as well as spending time outdoors in the morning and evening to enjoy their beauty. These flowers are some of our favorites to plant in June because they germinate quickly in the warm soil. You can direct sow from seed and still have time to enjoy beautiful blossoms.
Choose your favorite flowers for an attractive border, low-maintenance cottage garden, or to attract more butterflies and hummingbirds.
Flowers to Plant in June
1. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are my number one choice to plant in June. If you think it’s too late to grow flowers, you need to plant sunflower seeds. These heirlooms are fast-growing and heat-loving. Sunflower seeds will germinate in 7 to 14 days. Sunflowers can take 50 to 60 days to mature, depending on the variety.
An added bonus of growing sunflowers is you can leave the seeds for the birds.
There are many heirloom sunflower varieties to try. You can grow bright yellow Lemon Queen, Autumn Beauty, Velvet Queen, or a variety mix.
Planting tip: Sow sunflower seeds in full sun. Closer spacing results in smaller sunflowers, so plan accordingly.
2. Zinnias

Zinnias are truly one of our favorite flowers to grow, and they thrive in hot weather. Seeds can be direct sown in the garden, and zinnias will soon be blooming nonstop.
Another huge plus for zinnias is that they come in a wide range of colors. From white to bright pink and even peppermint stripes, you can create the perfect color combination for your garden.
If you need zinnias for a container, choose smaller sizes like the Thumbelina variety.
Not only can you enjoy colorful zinnias outdoors, but they also make excellent cut flowers. Pinch back the plants when they are small and keep cutting flowers, and the plants will keep producing new blooms until the first frost.
Planting tip: Likes well-drained soil and deadheading for more blooms.
3. Marigolds

Marigold seeds are big enough to easily space them when you plant, and they come up quickly in warm soil. You should see them germinate in 5 to 10 days.
Your vegetable garden will appreciate a border of marigolds. Known for deterring pests, the flowers will also encourage beneficial pollinators.
There are different varieties of marigolds, and some grow very large while others, like our French Dainty Marietta, will stay small.
Planting tip: Don’t overwater marigolds; they love the sun and drier soil.
4. Cosmos

Cosmos germinate best in warm soil and don’t like having their roots disturbed, so June can be the perfect time to plant seeds. Pick a location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, and you should have flowers in 50 to 60 days.
Once the seedlings are established, they don’t need continuously moist soil. This makes cosmos a low-maintenance summer flower. You can plant seeds close together so that the plants will hold each other up.
You can cut cosmos flowers for indoor display. Regularly cutting flowers will encourage more flower growth. At the end of the season, you can allow flowers to go to seed, and they will self-sow for a new round of blooms.
Cosmos come in a range of pinks. The Sea Shells variety has trumpet-shaped petals that are a favorite for butterflies and hummingbirds.
Planting tip: Cosmos tolerate poor soil but need full sun.
5. Cornflower (Bachelor Buttons)

Bachelor Buttons have been a favorite flower in gardens for ages. This charming heirloom comes in cool-toned blues and pinks. It has papery petals and is a popular filler flower for arrangements.
If you’re feeling adventurous, the petals are edible.
Keep sowing seeds every two weeks to have a continual production of blooms until the first frost.
If the flowers are allowed to go to seed, they will self-sow, and you’ll have a low-maintenance return of blossoms next year.
Planting tip: Direct sow. These are not picky about soil, but they need full sun.
6. Asters

Asters are late-summer bloomers that will extend your flower garden into fall. They look like chrysanthemums but are less fussy and easy to grow from seed.
The Powder Puff variety has a range of colors from purple to pink.
Planting tip: Needs full sun and consistent moisture early on
7. Strawflowers (Helichrysum)

Strawflowers have papery blooms that have a long vase life. They also keep their color and are perfect for drying.
Once strawflower plants start growing, they love the heat and sunshine and are drought-tolerant.
Cut the center stalk to encourage more side branches.
Cut flowers before they are fully open for a longer vase life.
Planting tip: Strawflowers need light to germinate.
8. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

Blanket flower is a showstopping perennial. Its unique color pattern is beautiful in cut flower arrangements. You can also let the seed heads develop and dry for added texture and interest in dry and fresh floral bouquets.
This tough, drought-tolerant native will easily thrive in poor soil. It will grow in those hot, sunny spots where other flowers wilt.
Planting tip: Lightly cover seeds; prefers sandy soil.
9. Nasturtium

Nasturtium is an incredible companion flower. You can use them as a trap crop to keep aphids and cabbage worms off your vegetables.
This fast-growing annual doesn’t like extreme heat and is perfect for growing in cooler climates.
Nasturtium has edible flowers and leaves and can be grown in containers.
Planting tip: Soak seeds before sowing to speed up germination
10. Calendula

Calendula blossoms are beautiful and useful. This fast-growing flower can start blooming in as little as 6 to 8 weeks.
Keep picking calendula flowers to encourage more blooms. If the plants stop blooming, wait until fall, and they will start blooming again.
Calendula flowers are used fresh and dry for all kinds of medicinal uses. One of the most popular uses is topical skin soothing.
Planting tip: Plant seeds ¼” deep. They need darkness to germinate.
11. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum is a fast-growing and fragrant bedding flower. It is a popular choice for containers and borders.
Seeds germinate in 5 to 14 days. Once the seedlings start growing, they will produce flowers and start blooming in 45 days.
Sweet Alyssum prefers cooler temps but can still be planted in early June. Growth will slow down in high heat, but the plant can be cut back and rebloom in the fall.
Planting tip: Seeds need light to germinate.
12. Morning Glory

Morning Glory is the perfect summer flower to cover a trellis and offer shade. Blossoms will open in the morning sun, and the vines will grab whatever is available to climb.
Warm soil (65-85ºF) is perfect for germinating morning glory seeds.
Planting tip: Scarify and soak seeds before sowing to speed up germination
Tips for Successful June Flower Planting
Choose a sunny location with well-prepared soil.
Water deeply after sowing and keep the soil moist until germination.
Mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Deadhead regularly for extended blooms.
Don’t forget, you can also sow seeds in June for flowers that need a headstart to bloom next year. Plant hollyhocks, bergamot, blue sage, yarrow and other perennial flowers now to enjoy next year.
June is not too late to plant! This list of flowers includes those that will germinate quickly and grow to give you summertime blooms. Don’t wait any longer to start enjoying colorful flowers in your garden.
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