13 Hardy Annuals to Sow in February

Hardy annuals bring a burst of color to the cool season, transforming the winter garden into a warm-season spectacle. They tolerate frost and thrive in the mild conditions of spring and fall. In warm climates, they perform all winter. In cold climates, they may bloom all summer or take a break and resume in fall. Hardy annuals to sow in February are durable and resilient, able to withstand the transition between late winter and early spring.

Cold-hardy annuals lengthen the bloom display for weeks or months. They bring an early show in spring to welcome the season before heat-loving bloomers emerge. They supply pollen and nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when many other plants aren’t yet in flower.

Winter sowing gives seedlings a jumpstart on warm-season growing. Direct sowing, even in snow, or seeding outdoors in mini homemade “greenhouses” allows exposure to natural elements, where seeds germinate as conditions are most suitable. With exposure, seedlings develop strong roots for easy transplanting with no hardening-off period. Winter sowing in containers offers a protective method suitable for the hardy annuals on our list.

Indoor seed starting gives a more controlled environment to warm seeds and nurture seedlings before moving them outside to their optimal temperatures. This is ideal for many hardy annuals so they’ll be ready to flower soon after planting.

Timing

Most cool-season flowers are ready to plant four to six weeks before the final frost date in the spring. Direct sow or transplant seedlings. To start seeds indoors, allow eight to ten weeks before frost, depending on the variety. Harden off seedlings for several days up to two weeks outside before in-ground planting. If subfreezing conditions creep up, use frost cloth, burlap, or sheets to protect young seedlings until they establish.

For the winter sowing method, plan for six to eight weeks before transplanting into beds or containers. Climate and temperature naturally impact germination.

Check the varietal information or seed packet on days to maturity (DTM). DTM is the amount of days it takes from seeding or transplanting to flowering. Count out the days to maturity related to your frost dates to determine sowing times.

In zones 7 and lower, winter protection like hoops or row covers may be necessary, especially for late freezes. To help plants tolerate cold snaps, provide even moisture according to cultural requirements. Use mulch for insulation to regulate soil temperatures and retain moisture. 

Calendula

	botanical name Calendula officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Calendula is a frost-tolerant with yellow, orange, pink, and bicolor daisy-ray flowers. Its single or double blooms bring warmth to chilly days and have an extended bloom time. Leaves and flowers are edible and beautiful in fresh or dried florals.

Calendula grows best in fall and spring. In warm climates, it performs over the winter. The flowers emerge from spring through frost in cool climates, taking a break in high summer heat. It flowers quickly from seed, with buds opening in about 30 days. 

Try winter sowing in containers or start seeds indoors, especially in cold climates. Transplant as soon as soils are workable. Provide mulch for the fast-growing seedlings as protective insulation. Calendula may self-sow for another round of future blooms.

Snapdragons

	botanical name Antirrhinum majus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

Snapdragons are hallmarks of the cool season, with bloom spikes in tones from antique to neon that complement any display. In mild winter climates, they bloom all winter long. In colder climates, snaps flower in spring, summer, and fall.

Snapdragons take 60 to 80 days to mature from seed. For the best germination and earliest flowering, start them indoors eight to ten weeks before the first frost date. February is ideal for many of us to sow these classic, hardy annuals indoors or with protected winter sowing. Wait to direct sow until four to six weeks before the frost (or when the soil is workable).

Once established, snapdragons are hardy to 25°F (-4°C) and perhaps lower with mulch and protection. Remove spent blooms to keep them from going to seed to promote continued blooming.

Violas & Pansies

	botanical name Viola spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Pansies and violas survive winter in mild climates and withstand seasonal transitions in colder climates. In northern climates, grow them for a fall or spring display. Like snapdragons, they flower reliability in chilly weather and tolerate frost. 

Use pansies and violas to brighten the front of the border in a mass, or tuck them into containers and window boxes for multi-season appeal. Opt for trailing pansies like ‘Cool Wave’ for delicate blooms that spill over a pot.

These hardy annuals tolerate temperatures in the 20s (about -7°C) and sometimes lower, making them suitable for February growing. Leaves may turn gray during cold snaps but recover as temperatures warm. Violas are easy to grow in well-draining soils. They benefit from deadheading to promote more blooms (pansies, especially), channeling energy into further flowering.

Feverfew

	botanical name Tanacetum parthenium
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-36”
	hardiness zones 5-8

Feverfew brings a blanket of petite daisy flowers from early summer through frost. Foliage is feathery and aromatic with numerous herbal uses, including drying for teas.

Winter sow in February in protective containers, or start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Or, direct sow four to six weeks before the final frost. Seeds need exposure to sunlight to germinate; scatter them and lightly tamp them without covering them.

Feverfew is a short-lived perennial that grows for about two to three years, though it reseeds readily for annual blooms. Use it in naturalized areas, rock gardens, and borders where it can reseed freely or deadhead spent blooms to prevent unwanted spreading.

Sweet Peas

	botanical name Lathyrus odoratus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-10’ vines
	hardiness zones 7-10

Ornamental sweet peas carry a heady scent and enchanting blooms on stems that cling and climb. The intensely sweet perfume accompanies petals in pink, mauve, red, blue, peach, and white.

The frost-tolerant beauties grow quickly from seed. The winter sowing method works well, where those sown this month germinate as conditions suit. Direct sow or start them indoors four to six weeks before the last frost. Ideal growing temperatures are between 55 and 65°F (13 and 18°C).

For best growth, sweet peas need a support structure like a tripod or trellis. Use them as a container focal point for vertical interest. For a quick grower that doesn’t need support, look for ‘Little Sweetheart,’ pretty in pots and hanging baskets.

Stock

	botanical name Mathiola incana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Stock is an old-fashioned annual or tender perennial with fragrant, jewel-tone flowers on stiff stems. With single or double white, pink, red, purple, ivory, and copper flowers, it makes a lovely cut flower with a sweet perfume.

Stock is hardy to 25°F (-4°C), but it doesn’t withstand hot summers or frigid winters. It grows easily from seed, usually germinating in seven to ten days. Indoor-sow these hardy annual seeds in February, about 8 to 10 weeks before transplanting. In mild climates, treat them as early spring or fall annuals with a winter sow.

Stock does best in rich, organic, and well-draining soils, though it withstands occasionally wet soils.

Sweet Alyssum

	botanical name Lobularia maritima
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-10”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Sweet alyssum perennializes in zones 5 and warmer but often grows as an annual to retain a tidy form. While petite, they’re big on the number of blooms, with a profusion of white, pink, or purple pincushions. The showy, fragrant clusters attract pollinators.

The dainty annuals are tough and hardy down to 20°F (-7°C) once established. Try the winter sow method; since sweet alyssum self-seeds, it’s a good candidate for an early spring emergence in insulated containers outdoors. Protect tender seedlings from late freezes.

In the heat of summer, the narrow green leaves turn yellow and fade. Plants may rebound aand resume blooming with fall’s cooler temperatures (at least in northern climates).

Love-in-a-Mist

	botanical name Nigella damascena
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Love-in-a-mist has delicate, feathery foliage and airy flowers surrounded by bracts that give a misty appearance. The deeply cut petals are blue, pink, white, or lavender, and long, dark seed pods extend interest post-bloom.

Nigella performs best as a fall or spring annual and wilts in hot conditions. Winter sow to establish sturdy roots earlier-flowering. For next spring, direct sow seeds in the fall for a spring display.

Love-in-a-mist spreads readily (sometimes too readily) via self-seeding. Deadhead spent blooms and remove seed pods before they drop to prevent the spread.

False Queen Anne’s Lace

	botanical name Ammi majus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 36-50”
	hardiness zones 2-11

Ammi isn’t invasive like its Queen Anne’s lace relative but produces similar domed umbel blooms with sprays of white florets. False Queen Anne’s lace adds airy appeal as border filler and for fresh or dried arrangements. The annual performer holds Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit status.

Look to ‘Dara’ for a mauve, burgundy, and crystal pink shimmer. The tall stems reach three to four feet on well-branched, slender stems. ‘Green Mist’ starts a verdant light green and opens to crisp white. 

Typically sown one to two weeks pre-final frost, winter sowing the hardy annuals in February gives them a headstart. Once established, Ammi is relatively drought tolerant, though it flowers best with regular moisture. Deadhead spent blooms for faster reflowering and to prevent self-seeding. This is an invasive species in some areas of North America.

Larkspur

	botanical name Consolida regalis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-4’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Larkspur is elegant, with large, deep blue bell flowers on tall stems. They stand out in the back of the border and make a striking display in a group. In climates with mild summers and cold winters, larkspur flowers through fall. Otherwise, it thrives in the spring’s cool conditions.

‘Shades of Blue’ cools the display in a range from dark to sky-blue blooms. Direct sow as soon as the soil is workable, or start indoors six to eight weeks before the last heavy freeze. Roots are sensitive to disturbance at transplanting, so opt for pulp pots that can go in the ground at planting.

Scabiosa

	botanical name Scabiosa atropurpurea
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-30”
	hardiness zones 10-12

Scabiosa, or pincushion flower, carries a faint, sweet scent that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Periwinkle, violet, pink, white, or red flowers appear on long, wiry stems and cut flowers bring bold contrast and depth to arrangements.

‘Black Knight’ is a moody heirloom that punctuates the arrangement with burgundy-chocolate pincushion blooms and light lavender-white stigmas. Deadhead spent blooms and harvest regularly to prolong flowering. Let some go to seed to extend the interest with unique seedheads.

Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the final frost, or give the winter sowing method a go.

Bells of Ireland

	botanical name Moluccella laevis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Bells of Ireland have tall bloom spikes loaded with bells in shades from pale lime to candy apple. The unique annuals make rich additions to fresh and dried flower arrangements, where they fade to strawy tones. Their tall blooms serve the back of the border and contrast beautifully with dark-leaved foliage and bold flowers. 

An heirloom, Bells of Ireland grow easily from seed. Winter sow the annuals in February to provide chill time, or start indoors six to eight weeks before the average final frost date. Cold stratification may improve germination rates.

Leave spent bloom spikes to dry and scatter naturally for reseeding in successional seasons. Bells of Ireland don’t thrive in hot and humid summers.

Sweet William

	botanical name Dianthus barbatus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18-36”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Annual dianthus shows domed clusters full of colorful petals. Sturdy stems hold the flowers above narrow, lanced foliage and carry a delicate fragrance. The blossoms have flat, open faces with fringy edges.