Here are some of the best perennials that bloom in their first year from seeds and give you stunning hues without too much wait!
Some gardeners think that perennials take years to bloom, but these standout plants defy the norm by bursting into color in their very first year. Know more about their care and other aspects to enjoy long-lasting blooms without the long wait.
Perennials That Bloom In Their First Year From Seeds
1. Gaillardia
Botanical Name: Gaillardia grandiflora
USDA Zones: 3-10
You can start it from seed indoors in late winter, and in the very first year, you will see blooms by midsummer! Its fiery shades of red and yellow make it a magnet for pollinators.
What makes Gaillardia special is its tolerance to heat, poor soil, and drought once established. It keeps going, blooming from summer into fall with very little fuss. Even better, it self-seeds generously, so you will have a “blanket” of new plants the following year without lifting a finger.
Pro Tip: Deadhead spent blooms regularly to extend flowering and encourage an even longer blooming period in the first year.
2. Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Botanical Name: Coreopsis lanceolata
USDA Zones: 3-8
If you love cheerful daisy-like flowers, coreopsis is your go-to perennial. You can start it indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, and it will bloom in as little as 3–4 months from sowing. Its golden-yellow petals and compact habit make it ideal for cottage gardens, borders, or pollinator beds.
The coreopsis plant is loved for its low maintenance, and if you are new to gardening, this is the perfect plant to start from seeds. Plus, it thrives in poor soil and can withstand hot, dry spells like a champ.
3. Purple Coneflower
Botanical Name: Echinacea purpurea
USDA Zones: 3-10
Echinacea is usually seen as a patient bloomer. Still, it surprises many gardeners by flowering in its first year when seeds are started early indoors; sow them by January or February indoors with some cold stratification. They will reward you with blooms by midsummer.
Purple coneflower is a tough perennial that can handle poor soil, drought, and baking sun, making it popular in low-maintenance gardens. If you leave the seed heads standing, the blooms also serve as winter food for birds.
4. Shasta Daisy
Botanical Name: Leucanthemum superbum
USDA Zones: 5-9
Shasta daisies might seem like a second-year bloomer, but if you start them early, they can flower in as little as 4–5 months from seed. Their classic white petals and golden centers will help you create a traditional garden treat.
These daisies prefer full sun and well-drained soil but can handle some neglect once established. When grown in the garden, they attract butterflies and beneficial insects, helping your garden thrive without chemical sprays.
Pro Tip: Pinch back early seedlings when they are 4 inches tall to encourage bushier growth and more blooms in the first year.
5. Penstemon
Botanical Name: Penstemon digitalis
USDA Zones: 3a-8b
This clump-forming perennial is a hummingbird favorite, and it doesn’t make you wait long for its tubular blooms. Sow the seeds early in the season, and you will have tall spikes of purple, pink, or white flowers by summer.
Penstemon is a great addition to pollinator gardens and pairs beautifully with grasses and other wildflowers. It thrives in sunny spots with well-draining soil and doesn’t mind a bit of drought. We suggest going for the ‘Husker Red’ variety, which is vigorous and blooms reliably in the first year from seed.
6. Black-Eyed Susan
Botanical Name: Rudbeckia hirta
USDA Zones: 3-9
Don’t be fooled by its bold, sunflower-like blooms because it is one of the easiest perennials to grow from seed and blooms reliably in its first year. If you start it indoors or sow early outdoors, you will have flowers from summer through fall.
Black-eyed Susan is highly adaptable and performs well in formal beds and naturalized meadows. Its rough-textured leaves deter deer and rabbits, while its pollen-rich centers attract bees and butterflies nonstop.
7. Salvia
Botanical Name: Salvia nemorosa
USDA Zones: 3-9
Salvia doesn’t waste time, especially when you start indoors in late winter. Within the same year, it will burst into spires of violet-blue blooms on full display by summer.
Salvia is your solid pick for low-maintenance landscapes or herbaceous borders. It also releases aromatic oils that repel pests like mosquitoes and aphids. You can also snip the first flush of blooms back to the base when fading, and a second wave of flowers will quickly follow. Cool, right?
Start these perennials that bloom in their first year from seeds, and you won’t have to wait years for flowers—just a few months of care, and your garden will reward you early!
