21 Perennials You Can Winter Sow for a Gorgeous Garden
Winter Sowing Perennials
Winter sowing has become one of my favorite ways to start seeds, especially for perennials. There’s something magical about planting them in the middle of winter, tucking them into containers, and leaving them outside to let nature do the work.
I’ve watched these hardy seeds brave the cold and sprout into strong, healthy plants come spring. Over the years, I’ve discovered a fantastic list of perennials that thrive with this method, and I’m excited to share them with you. If you’re ready to get a head start on your garden, try winter sowing perennials with these 21 reliable choices!
Winter Sowing Perennials
1. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Why Winter Sow? Seeds require cold stratification, making them perfect for winter sowing. This tall, pollinator-friendly plant adds drama to any garden.
2. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Why Winter Sow? Easy to grow, feverfew seeds benefit from cold exposure, ensuring robust germination in spring.
3. Verbascum (Mullein)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Why Winter Sow? A biennial or short-lived perennial, verbascum produces towering flower spikes that thrive after winter stratification.
4. Heliopsis (False Sunflower)
- Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Why Winter Sow? Tough and drought-tolerant, heliopsis seeds need a chilling period to sprout.
5. Geums
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Why Winter Sow? This vibrant perennial appreciates the cold, producing bright orange-red blooms.
- Note: Be patient with geums, they don’t become very big until the second year but they are worth the wait.
6. Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Why Winter Sow? These biennials are cold-hardy and love stratification, resulting in bell-shaped flowers in their second year.
7. Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)
- Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Why Winter Sow? Cold stratification improves germination rates for this charming foliage plant.
8. Agastache (Hyssop)
- Hardiness Zones: 5-10
- Why Winter Sow? Seeds respond well to cold, producing fragrant, pollinator-attracting blooms.
9. Veronica spicata (Speedwell)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Why Winter Sow? This perennial loves a chill and rewards gardeners with spiky, colorful blooms.
10. Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Why Winter Sow? Self-seeding and hardy, this silver-foliaged beauty thrives with winter sowing.
Grow Vibrant Rose Campion
11. Delphinium elatum
- Hardiness Zones: 3-7
- Why Winter Sow? Delphiniums require cold stratification to break dormancy, ensuring strong germination.
How to Grow Delphiniums
12. Gaura (Oenothera lindheimeri)
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Why Winter Sow? Seeds benefit from winter sowing, producing delicate, butterfly-like blooms.
13. Sea Holly
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Why Winter Sow? These drought-tolerant perennials require stratification to germinate. They come in shades of steel blue and white.
14. Meadow Rue (Thalictrum spp.)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Why Winter Sow? Winter sowing ensures germination of these airy, woodland favorites.
15. Echinops (Globe Thistle)
- Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- Why Winter Sow? Globe thistle thrives after cold exposure, producing spiky, steel-blue blooms.
16. Hardy Geraniums (Geranium spp.)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Why Winter Sow? Seeds germinate well after stratification, and the plants are reliable and low-maintenance.
Easy to Grow Hardy Geraniums!
17. Jupiter’s Beard (Centranthus ruber)
- Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- Why Winter Sow? These drought-tolerant plants thrive after winter sowing, producing clusters of pink or red blooms.
18. Verbena bonariensis
- Hardiness Zones: 7-11 (treated as an annual in cooler zones)
- Why Winter Sow? Seeds require cold exposure for better germination, creating tall, airy blooms.
19. Armeria (Sea Thrift)
- Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Why Winter Sow? Seeds need a cold period to germinate, resulting in tufted, grassy plants with dainty blooms.
20. Blue Flax
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Why Winter Sow? Perfect for naturalizing, these seeds germinate best with cold stratification.
21. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Known for its vivid red flowers, cardinal flower is a magnet for hummingbirds and prefers moist, partially shaded spots. - Note: this flower comes in shade of purple and bright pink as well
Get All the Winter Sowing Instructions
Tips for Winter Sowing Perennials Success
- Use clean, ventilated containers such as milk jugs.
- Label your containers with a permanent marker.
- Place the containers outdoors in late winter or early spring.
- Check periodically to ensure moisture levels are adequate.
- Transplant seedlings when they are sturdy enough to handle.
By winter sowing these hardy perennials, you’ll enjoy a garden bursting with beauty, lower maintenance and longevity.
Happy gardening!
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Hi, I’m Pamela
With 45 years of hands-on gardening experience, I love sharing practical tips, proven techniques, and inspiration drawn from my own gardens. My goal is to nurture your confidence, spark your passion, and help make every step of your gardening journey more enjoyable.
