6 Hardy Annuals To Sow In April Before It's Too Late, Including Beautiful Cornflowers

1Cosmos pink potted flowers blooming in summer Westend61//Getty Images

Light, airy and endlessly elegant, cosmos are a firm summer favourite for many.

“As a starting point, I begin to sow hardy annuals under cover… choose reliable varieties like cosmos… for best success,” explains Sarah.

Top tip: Best started indoors or on a bright windowsill, they can be planted out once the soil warms, bringing months of soft, fluttering blooms.

2Cornflowers mixed cornflowers centaurea cyanus David Burton//Getty Images

A cottage garden classic, cornflowers bring vibrant colour and a relaxed feel.

“Flowers like cornflowers can be sown directly into borders or pots, and they’ll reward gardeners with weeks of colour from early summer onwards,” adds Eve.

Top tip: They’re ideal for filling gaps in borders and are loved by pollinators.

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3Sunflowers sunflowers! gorgeous sunny blooms on a sunny summer day. Katrin Ray Shumakov//Getty Images

Few flowers make an impact quite like sunflowers. “They are one of the easiest and most rewarding annuals to sow in April,” says Ezgi Sumen, manager at Plant Warehouse.

Top tip: Choose dwarf varieties for pots or taller types for borders, and sow directly outdoors as the soil warms.

4Zinnias beautiful multi coloured zinnia, summer flowers, in an english cottage garden Jacky Parker Photography//Getty Images

If you’re after bold, long-lasting colour, zinnias are a brilliant choice. “Zinnias flower for months with very little fuss,” Ezgi says.

Top Tips: Start them indoors in April and plant out once temperatures rise.

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5Sweet peas sweet pea flowers in the garden Flavia Morlachetti//Getty Images

Fragrant and romantic, sweet peas are a spring staple.”If you haven’t sown sweet peas yet, April is still a great time,” she continues.

Top tip: They love a sunny position and benefit from support, with regular picking encouraging more blooms.

6Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’ cerinthe major (honeywort) flowers. annual plants of the boraginaceae family native to europe. undefined undefined//Getty Images

For something a little different, cerinthe offers striking, dusky tones.

“Great varieties include Cerinthe major ‘Purpurascens’ – with its shrimp-like, dark purple-blue flowers,” says Nick Hamilton, owner of Barnsdale Gardens.

Top tip: It works beautifully in borders or containers and will thrive in most soils in full sun – allow plants to gently seed before cutting back.

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