By planting flowers that reseed themselves, you’ll have a natural and beautiful garden that practically takes care of itself. These 10 varieties all do well in New England.
Do you love the natural and free-flowing look of wildflowers and meadow flowers? One of the reasons that these flowers are carefree and widespread is that most of them reseed themselves. The same effect can be created in a home garden by simply choosing plants that reseed, practically taking care of themselves growing season after growing season. Read on to learn about ten favorite flowers that reseed themselves and thrive in New England.
10 Favorite Flowers That Reseed Themselves
Flowers That Reseed Themselves | Nasturtiums Photo Credit : Pixabay
Nasturtiums
Another delicate flower with a papery appearance, nasturtiums are usually yellow, orange or red.
Lupine
These flowers can be invasive and are known to take over an area, however, their beautiful hues of pastel pink, blues and white make them hard to resist in a summer field.
Viola
Also known as Johnny jump-up, this is one of the first flowers to to be seen in spring (after crocuses) and are the last to die off in the fall. These delicate blue violets have been known to bloom after a light snow and will reseed in almost any area, including between rocks and in gravel driveways.
Flowers That Reseed Themselves | Morning Glory Photo Credit : Pixabay
Morning Glory
This blue climbing beauty will reseed and spread. They do best when there is a support such as fencing, garden stakes, and trellis or poles to wind itself around.
Forget-Me-Not
Another blue beauty with tiny flowers, these grow in loose clusters and can show up almost anywhere as their tiny seeds are easily spread by the wind.
Hollyhock
Growing upwards of 4 feet tall with flowers that can show in a variety of colors, these plants lend height and balance in gardens, yet may require the use of a stake to keep them upright until stems strengthen.
Flowers That Reseed Themselves | Marigolds Photo Credit : Pixabay
Marigolds
These compact, bright blooms are found in shades of yellow, orange and gold that accentuate autumn beautifully.
Foxglove
Another tall reseeding flower, these plants have bell shaped blooms and are usually light purple in color.
Flowers That Reseed Themselves | Pansies Photo Credit : Pixabay
Pansies
Very similar to violas, pansies are a bit larger and may show up in a variety of colors including white, blue, purple, dark maroon or speckled.
Sunflowers
It’s always a treat to see sunflowers popping up unexpectedly—especially around bird feeders. These happy summer and fall flowers are all-around favorites for people and birds, not to mention the squirrels.
How do you encourage flowers to reseed themselves? Do not deadhead! The one key piece of information when it comes to reseeding plants is that these flowers must be left to die on their own in order for the seeds to mature and dry naturally before they are released and reseeded naturally.
This post was first published in 2013 and has been updated.
Shelley (Fleming) Wigglesworth is an award-winning freelance journalist from Maine and a certified Maine Master Gardener who writes gardening articles on a regular basis for NewEngland.com. Her work can be found in the following publications: The Village Magazine, York County Coast Star, Yankee Magazine (online), National Fisherman Magazine, Commercial Fisheries News, Points East Magazine, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Maine Lobstermen's Association's "Landings."
