Wallflower Seeds

An early season bloomer, wallflower can brighten gardens and containers in early spring by shaking off those restless winter blues! The key to getting that bright pop of color that all gardeners are hungry for is planting wallflower seeds in large groups. Heavily sowing wallflower seeds will give you enough plants to enjoy their velvety, fragrant dense clusters of petals both inside and outside your home.

• Vivid clusters of red, pink, violet, and orange
• Thrives in full sun or partially shaded areas
• Fragrant pollinator attractor with early-season spring blooms
• Drought tolerant and perfect for container gardens

While a person referred to as a wallflower might be seen as shy and retiring, the flower of the same name is anything but. Showy and brilliantly colored, these 12 to 18 inch tall biennials will be the center of attention in any spring garden. Anyone can plant and maintain these cheery little blooms, because—perhaps unsurprisingly for a plant that earned its title by clinging to cracks and crevices in stone—wallflower is not difficult to grow. The only thing that might surprise you about this flower is to find out that, like cauliflower, cabbage, and mustard, it's a member of the brassicaceae family. Additionally, in the Middle Ages, wallflowers were popular for festival bouquets.

To grow wallflower seeds, direct sow them in fall or early spring and press gently down into the soil. They need light to grow and shouldn't be covered too heavily. They prefer sunny locations, and do spectacularly in rock gardens. They also grow beautifully in containers with very little work, and their old-fashioned charm makes them a strong candidate for a cottage or meadow garden. Just be sure not to overwater, as wallflower can drown. Dry soil, however, won't phase it a bit, and drought-hardy wallflower isn't going to be shut down by a little heat either. Wallflower is hardy and evergreen in USDA zones 6 through 9, and can be grown and overwintered even in colder climates. Just prune down close to the soil when the wallflower is done blooming and the weather cools off, and the plant will return again in spring for a second season. Wallflower typically blooms from April through June, attracting pollinators emerging from winter hibernation with its bright show.

Snapdragon makes a lovely garden companion for the wallflower, sharing its bold colors and early blossoms, but tall enough to stand over the smaller wallflower. Try interspersing with alliums or tulips for a riot of early spring color that will delight anyone lucky enough to catch a glimpse. Eden Brothers' Fairlady Wallflower Seed Mix and Passion Wallflower Seed Mix can offer even more color options.

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for wallflower seed, see our Wallflower Seeds Planting Guide.