June is the new January - Biennials & Perennials to Sow Now to get a head start

The Gardening Year Starts Right Now

You’re here thinking summer means you’re late. But here’s the truth: you’re early — early for next year. June is where the smart growers quietly steal the lead. Sure, you can still squeeze in a few fast-growing annuals right now, but the real magic happens when you start thinking long-term.

This is the sweet spot for sowing biennials and perennials — those slower-burn crops that reward you with earlier blooms, stronger plants, and a whole lot less faff when next spring comes round. By sowing now, you’re not just filling trays — you’re future-proofing your plot.

Every flower farm should run on a rhythm, but that rhythm rewards the forward-thinkers. While everyone else is out there deadheading tired bedding plants or moaning about slugs, you’ll be sowing the future.  By sowing now you’ll have sturdy young plants establishing over the summer and autumn, ready to romp away the minute spring returns.

Annuals will always have their place — they’re the flashy, fast-turnover favourites of any cutting patch. But they’re high-maintenance: sow, prick out, harden off, plant, pinch, repeat. They keep you busy. And when you're trying to scale or just claw back a bit of breathing room, you need a backbone.

That’s where perennials come in — the low-effort, high-reward legends that anchor your patch and your sanity. If you want a flower farm that doesn’t burn you out by July, it starts now — with a tray of Hesperis seeds, a bit of patience, and a whole lot of foresight.

What to Sow in June — Your Power List - Biennials & Perennials to Sow Now

Foxglove

A biennial classic. Towering spikes of pollinator joy. Sow now in seed trays or a seed bed for even less maintenance, plant out in autumn, and enjoy those dreamy cottage garden vibes come May.

Rudbeckia

Bright, bold, and brilliant for bouquets. Germinates fast in warm soil, establishes well before winter.(Top pick: 'Sahara' for those dusky tones everyone wants.) Its a short lived Perennial so you'll get a few seasons out of it before needing to sow more.

Dianthus

Fragrant, charming, and cut-flower gold. It's a Perennial so will reward you year after year with very little effort on your part.

Echinacea

Perennial powerhouse. Takes time to establish but rewards you with years of high-value stems.(Also: bees go mad for it.)

Hesperis (Sweet Rocket)

Lightly scented and wildly underrated. It's an excellent filler, establishes quickly and blooms early the following spring. It's also a cut & come again so you get a lot of value from the investment here..... and the bonus - it loves a bit of shade so great for a back corner you're not sure what to do with.

Achillea (Yarrow)

Flat-topped, long-lasting, and a great foil for showier blooms. A Perennial which prefers full sun. Sow now, and it’ll settle in like an old friend by spring.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Tiny daisy blooms that add sparkle to arrangements. Fast-growing, low-fuss, self-seeds like it’s going out of fashion.(Sow now, and you’ll never be without it again.)

Lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus)

Sow in modules or trays. They’ll bulk up through summer and autumn, ready to plant out in Autumn for flowers the following year. They are a cut and come again so will keep pumping out the blooms and bring serious drama to bouquets.

Perovskia

Technically a woody perennial, but sows beautifully in early summer. Scented, structural, and drought tolerant. Perfect for hot, exposed plots.

The Payoff: Planning Ahead Like a Pro

By sowing in June, you become the kind of grower who’s not scrambling — you’re strategic. You’ve got hardy seedlings in the ground come autumn, blooms in the bag by spring, and less stress when everyone else is just getting started. This is how we scale smarter. This is how we grow with intention.

Biennials & Perennials to Sow Now. Check out our curated June Sowing Collection