By request — and because July really is one of the most exciting months in the seed calendar — here are 15 cool-season flowers worth sowing right now in New Zealand. The cold is your friend, and these varieties know it.
The List
1. Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
One of the best winter sowers going. Scabiosa loves the cold and rewards you with delicate, long-stemmed blooms that are exceptional as cut flowers. Sow now and let winter do the work.
2. Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
Cold stratification helps these feathery beauties germinate beautifully. Direct sow or winter sow in trays — either way, they're a joy from seed to vase.
3. Snapdragon
Start in trays now for strong, bushy spring transplants. Snapdragons benefit from the extra lead time and will reward you with earlier, more robust flowering.
4. Lupin
Sow into deep pots now — lupins have a long taproot and hate root disturbance later. Get them established early and they'll put on a spectacular show.
5. Foxglove
Slow and steady, but the wait is absolutely worth it. Foxgloves are biennials that benefit from an early start; sow now for towering spires next season.
6. Larkspur
Direct sow now while the soil is cold — larkspur actually prefers it. Scatter seed where you want it to grow and resist the urge to transplant.
7. Poppy
Scatter on the surface and let the winter rain do the work. Poppies need light to germinate and cold to stratify — July ticks both boxes perfectly.
8. Hollyhock
A cottage garden classic. Sow now for towering summer blooms; hollyhocks are another one that benefits from an early, unhurried start.
9. Aquilegia (Columbine)
Needs a cold period to break dormancy, making July ideal. These nodding, spurred blooms are a cottage garden staple and surprisingly tough once established.
10. Achillea (Yarrow)
Tough, reliable, and a brilliant filler for the cutting garden. Cold sowing improves germination rates and gives you strong plants ready to hit the ground running in spring.
11. Queen Anne's Lace
Delicate and dreamy, with that classic wildflower charm. Cold sowing gives great results — scatter now and expect a beautiful haze of white come summer.
12. Orlaya (White Lace Flower)
A florist favourite for good reason. Sow now for early summer stems — Orlaya is worth every bit of patience it asks for.
13. Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
A perennial powerhouse. Cold stratification is key to good germination, so July sowing sets you up perfectly. Long-lived and low-maintenance once established.
14. Gypsophila (Baby's Breath)
A classic filler that never goes out of style. Sow into trays now for spring planting out — it fills gaps beautifully and adds lightness to any arrangement.
15. Feverfew
Cheerful little daisy-like blooms that self-seed freely once established. Surface sow and keep cool — they're wonderfully unfussy and great for cutting.
Get sowing this weekend
Save this list, grab your seed-raising mix, and make the most of July. These varieties are all available at chbotanics.co.nz — and if you're new to winter sowing, check out our guide on how to winter sow for tips on getting the best results. 🌱
0 comments