Annual Flower Seeds — Zinnia, Nasturtium, Marigold & More
74 open-pollinated annual varieties including 8 Zinnia cultivars, 8 Nasturtium varieties, and rare cottage garden species. Sow in spring, fill the garden with colour by summer.
Annual flowers complete their full life cycle — germination, growth, flowering, and seed set — within a single growing season. They are the fastest route from seed packet to colour in the garden, and the most versatile: sown in gaps between perennials, in containers, in cutting patches, or broadcast across bare ground. Because they are open-pollinated and non-hybrid, all 74 varieties in this collection can be saved and re-sown year after year.
The Zinnia selection covers the full range of the genus — from the dwarf pom-pom Thumbelina (C89, 20-25cm) to the tall cactus-flowered mix (C87, 70-90cm) with rolled quill petals up to 12cm across. Envy Zinnia (C92) produces unusual lime-green flowers that are rarely found in UK or European retail seed displays. All Zinnias germinate in 5-7 days at 22°C and bloom within 10-12 weeks of sowing.
Summer Adonis (Adonis aestivalis, C126) is one of the more unusual inclusions: a scarlet-flowered annual from the buttercup family, native to Mediterranean Europe and traditionally associated with arable field margins. Its finely cut foliage and vivid crimson flowers make it one of the most architectural annuals available. It prefers sowing in situ in autumn or early spring and dislikes transplanting.
All annual seed lots are packed in heat-sealed moisture-proof foil. Germination rates are batch-tested at recommended temperatures before packing. Dispatch within 2-3 business days; see full growing notes at oreshka-seeds.com/about.
Growing Tips — Annual Flowers from Seed
When and How to Sow Annual Flower Seeds
Hardy annuals (Cornflower, Calendula, Poppy) can be sown outdoors from March in most temperate zones. Tender annuals (Zinnia, Dahlia, Snapdragon) need indoor sowing 6-8 weeks before last frost at 20-24°C. Surface-sow fine seeds like Lobularia (Alyssum) and press gently — they need light to germinate. Cover larger seeds (Nasturtium, Dahlia) by 1cm.
Thinning and Spacing for Maximum Flower Production
Overcrowded seedlings produce fewer flowers per plant. Thin Zinnia to 25-30cm, Marigold to 20-25cm, and Nasturtium to 30cm spacing. Thinning is best done when seedlings reach 5-7cm. Removed thinnings of hardy annuals like Cornflower and Calendula can often be transplanted to fill gaps rather than discarded.
Deadheading to Extend the Flowering Season
Removing spent flowers before seed sets extends blooming by 4-8 weeks on Zinnia, Marigold, Calendula, Cosmos, and Snapdragon. Remove the entire stem back to a leaf node for the cleanest result. Leave a few seed heads to mature in September if you want to collect seed for next season — all 74 varieties in this collection will come true from saved seed.
Watering and Feeding Annual Flowers in Containers
Container-grown annuals dry out faster than border plants — check daily in warm weather and water when the top 2-3cm of compost is dry. Begin feeding with a potassium-rich liquid feed once the first flower buds appear (typically 6-8 weeks after sowing). Feeding every 14 days sustains heavy flowering through the season in pots of 20cm diameter or smaller.
Frequently Asked Questions — Annual Flower Seeds
What types of annual flowers does Oreshka Seeds offer?
Oreshka carries 74 annual flower varieties including 8 Zinnia cultivars, 8 Nasturtium varieties, 7 Aster varieties, 4 sunflower cultivars, Marigold, Cornflower, Calendula, Cosmos, Dahlia, Snapdragon, Scabiosa, and cottage garden favourites. All are open-pollinated, non-F1 varieties.
Which annual flower is easiest to grow from seed?
Nasturtium (C25, C24, C66-C72) is the most forgiving for beginners — it germinates in 7-10 days at 18-20°C, tolerates poor soil, and flowers within 8 weeks. Marigold (C11, C12) and Calendula (C20, C26) are similarly reliable and bloom within 10-12 weeks from a direct outdoor sowing.
Can I sow annual flower seeds directly outdoors in Zone 5?
Hardy annuals like Cornflower (C13-C15), Calendula (C20, C26), and Poppy (C127, C132) can be sown directly in autumn or early spring — they tolerate light frosts to -4°C. Tender annuals like Zinnia (C87-C93) and Dahlia (C53, C54) should be started indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost and planted out when night temperatures stay above 10°C.
What is the difference between Zinnia Cactus Flowered (C87) and Zinnia Thumbelina (C89)?
Zinnia Cactus Flowered Mix (C87) produces large 10-12cm blooms with rolled quill petals on 70-90cm plants, suited to cutting gardens. Zinnia Thumbelina (C89) is a compact dwarf, 20-25cm tall with 4cm pom-pom flowers, ideal for container edges and exposed sites. Both germinate in 5-7 days at 22°C.
Can annual flowers be grown in pots or window boxes?
Yes — compact annuals are among the best container plants available. Alyssum (C108, C119), dwarf Marigold (C12), Nemophila (C75), and Zinnia Thumbelina (C89) thrive in 15-20cm containers. Nasturtium varieties (C25, C66-C72) are excellent trailing plants for window boxes. Feed fortnightly once flowering starts.
How long does it take from sowing to flowers for annual varieties?
Fast bloomers like Marigold (C11, C12) and Nasturtium flower within 8-10 weeks of sowing. Mid-range bloomers — Zinnia, Cornflower, Cosmos — take 10-14 weeks. Dahlia from seed (C53, C54) typically takes 12-16 weeks. Indoor sowing in February under lights accelerates timelines by 3-4 weeks versus outdoor sowing.
Why buy annual flower seeds from Oreshka vs a supermarket rack?
Supermarket racks stock mainly F1 hybrid varieties that cannot be saved true-to-type. Oreshka's 74 annual varieties are all open-pollinated — seeds can be collected and re-sown each year. The range includes Black Velvet Nasturtium (C71), Envy Zinnia (C92 — green-flowered), and Summer Adonis (C126) which are never found in retail seed displays.
Explore All Annual Flower Seeds
74 varieties in stock · Worldwide shipping · Open-pollinated seed lots
View Full Collection →oreshka-seeds.com · Sealed packets · 2–3 day dispatch