14 flowers and seeds to plant right now for a garden that blooms all summer

If you plant the right flowers now, you'll have a garden full of colour, blooms and bees and butterflies all summer long. From showy dahlias to pretty lilies, these beautiful flowers are easy to grow from seed in April and May.

We asked Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, which plants to get in the ground this spring – and these 14 picks are easy to grow, thrive in heat, and deliver big results.

Dahlias

Get the tubers in the ground this month, and you'll have flowers from July right through to the first frosts. They're one of the hardest-working and showiest plants in the summer garden.

The blowsy bloom can flower through the first frost

Gladioli

Get these in the ground straight away at the back of borders. Brilliant for cutting, and they bring real height and drama that nothing else quite matches.

Gladioli can bring a bit of height to your borders

Lilies

Plant these now while you still can. They're low-maintenance once they're in; they are worth every bit of the wait.

Lilies are low-maintenance and lovely - what’s not to like!

Crocosmia

A great flower to plant in April. The sword-like leaves look great from the start, then from midsummer you get vivid orange, red flowers, and they come back year after year without any fuss.

These bright blooms thrive in full sun

Canna lilies

If you want your garden to look lush and a little exotic, cannas are the answer. Huge leaves, bold flowers, and thrive in both borders and containers.

Bring a burst of exoticism to your garden with canna lilies

Begonias

Plant now, and they just keep going all summer without complaining. Begonias are a solid choice if you want reliable colour without much effort.

There are over 2,000 varieties of begonia to choose from

Seeds to sow now

Cosmos

Possibly the easiest thing to grow from seed. Sow now, and they'll be flowering in about 12 weeks with their delicate, airy blooms.

Cosmos bring some flower power to your garden, growing until the first frost

Sweet peas

There is still time to sow outside this month. Get your wigwam or supports in now so they've got something to climb from the start.

Sweet peas are great climbers on trellis or pergolas

Marigolds, lobelia, petunias

You can still start these off under cover or in a propagator and don't rush them outside until the nights are reliably warm.

Bring a burst of sunshine to your borders with marigolds

Perennials

Geraniums, astrantia, oriental poppies

Don't write off perennials just because spring is well underway. As long as the plants look healthy with strong green shoots, they'll settle in fine. Just make sure the soil is well prepared before you put them in.

It’s not too late to plant perennials like poppies

Lisa Cericola

Freelance Writer

Lisa Cericola (she/her) is a writer and editor who specializes in travel, food, and culture. A South Florida native, Lisa lived in New York City for 15 years and now resides in beautiful Birmingham, Alabama. She has been an editor at Southern Living and Food Network Magazine and writes for numerous publications including Garden & Gun and Late Checkout. When she’s not working on a story, or planning her next trip, Lisa is likely making and selling small-batch olive oil granola at her local farmers market.