10 Cool-Season Flowers That Love Mild Winters

• In zones 7 and warmer, there are two planting windows — late fall and again in late winter or early spring. For zones cooler than zone 7, plant in the spring after danger of frost is passed. 

When to plant ranunculus in Arizona: October – November & February – March

(Presprout corms if planting in February – March)

• Blooms from February through early May.

• Ranunculus is grown from corms. Order corms early to have them in time for fall planting.
• Ranunculus grows best in rich, healthy, well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight.
• Plant corms 2-3 inches deep and about 6 inches apart.

• Look for large corms; they will have larger blooms.
• Soak corms before planting.
• Corms may be dug up at the end of the season.

You can grow lobelia from seed, but I have had the best luck with young transplants. 

Start seeds indoors:

July – October

Plant transplants outside:

September 15 – December Do not plant if temperatures are still hot. 

Blooms from March through early June.

• Prefers part sun.
• Needs regular water.
• Wait until hot temperatures subside to plant transplants.

Are you looking for more information about how to grow lobelia? Read this blog post.

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

• Sweet peas grow best from seeds. Click here for sweet pea seeds. 
• Plant in areas with full sun to shade.
• Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 2-3 inches apart. Thin to about 5 inches apart when seedlings are 2-3 inches tall.

In mild winter areas (zone 8-10) like the low desert of Arizona, plant in the fall from October through February.

Blooms from February through early May.

In the low Desert of Arizona:

Start seeds indoors:

September – January

Plant seeds or transplants outside:

October – February

• Put trellises in place before you plant so as not to disturb the roots. 
• Once blooms begin, harvest at least every other day to encourage blooming.

Looking for more information about how to grow sweet peas? Read this blog post.

Larkspur grows best from seeds started directly in the garden. Click here for larkspur seeds.

• In mild winter areas (zone 8-10) like the low desert of Arizona, plant in the fall from late September through November.
• Blooms from March through May.

• Seeds may be difficult to germinate. Freeze seeds for a week or so before planting to encourage germination.
• Harvest larkspur when about 1/3 of the blooms are open for the longest vase life. 

• Can be difficult to start from seed; plant transplants for best results.
• Prefers part sun; needs regular water.

Start seeds indoors:

July – August

Plant transplants outside:

September – October

Blooms from: March through May.

• Choose an area with afternoon shade. Can be difficult to grow.
• All parts of the plant are poisonous; dispose of them in trash, not compost.
• Good cut flower; harvest when just a few bottom blossoms are open.
• Attracts hummingbirds.
• Read this article for more information about how to grow foxglove.

• Plant seeds from October through December.
• Blooms from March through early May.

• Thin seedlings to 6” to 9” apart (depending on the variety) to maximize air circulation and reduce powdery mildew. 

• Poppies reseed easily year after year. 
• Save seeds at the end of the season from your favorite blooms.

Looking for more information about how to grow poppies? Read this blog post. 

• Nasturtium grows best from seed. Click here for nasturtium seeds. 
• Plant seeds ½ to 1 inch deep and 5-6 inches apart.

• Plant nasturtium seeds from October through January.
• Nasturtium blooms from February through May.

• Nasturtiums prefer cooler weather, so in warm climates grow plants in the shade to prolong their growing season. 

Looking for more information about how to grow nasturtiums? Read this blog post.

• Calendula grows best from seed. Click here to buy calendula seeds.
• You can use transplants. When choosing transplants, smaller is usually better. 
• Plant calendula seeds ¼ inch deep. 
• Thin seedlings to 6 to 12 inches apart. 

In hot summer areas like Arizona, calendula grows best throughout the cooler months of late fall and spring.

In the low desert of Arizona:

Start calendula seeds indoors:
August – September
Plant seeds or transplants outside:
September 15 – November

Calendula blooms in Arizona from December through May.  

• Succession plant calendula seeds every 2 or 3 weeks for a continual harvest.
• Calendula needs regular water; do not let the plant dry out. 
• Keep flowers cut back to encourage more blooms. 

Looking for more information about how to grow calendula? Read this blog post.

• I usually purchase snapdragons as transplants. 
• You can also start seeds indoors.  Do not cover seed with soil, it needs light to sprout. Click here for snapdragon seeds.

Start seeds indoors:
June – December
Plant transplants outside:
September 15 – February 15

Blooms from November through early May.

• Support large varieties with netting for straight stems. 
• Cut central stem back to ground level to encourage branching. 
• Keep deadheaded to encourage blooms.

• Bachelor buttons grow best from seed. Click here for bachelor button seeds.
• Plant bachelor button seeds directly in the garden. Cover lightly with soil. 

• Plant seeds in your garden from late September through November.
• Blooms from February through June.

• Good cut flower. Cut stems when the flower is just beginning to crack open. 
• Cut the central stem at ground level to encourage strong, tall stems.  
• Keep deadheaded to encourage blooms. 

• Many colors available. 
• Easy to grow.

Looking for more information about how to grow bachelor buttons? Read this blog post.

Arizona annual flowers planting guide helps you learn when to plant flowers in Arizona, and whether to plant seeds or transplants.

10 Flowers that Love Hot Summers shares my favorite heat-loving plants that grow well in hot Arizona summers.