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A tall sunflower in bloom against a blue sky

When to plant · 13 plants

Flowers

Cut flowers, easy annuals and spring bulbs that thrive here. Pick one for its dates in your town and how to grow it.

Planting order

When each one first goes in around Portland, starting indoors where that comes first. Colder towns run later.

Late winter
Snapdragons
Early spring
Sweet peas, Cosmos, Marigolds, Calendula, Ranunculus
Late spring
Dahlias, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Nasturtiums
Fall
Tulips, Daffodils, Peonies

Planting windows at a glance

Main planting window in five reference towns. Each plant's page has every town.

PlantPortlandSeattle and TacomaBend and RedmondSpokaneBoise and Meridian
DahliasMay 15 – Jun 12May 15 – Jun 12Jun 9 – Jul 7May 20 – Jun 17May 1–29
SunflowersMay 10 – Jun 21May 10 – Jun 21Jun 16 – Jul 28May 15 – Jun 26May 1 – Jun 12
ZinniasMay 10 – Jun 21May 10 – Jun 21Jun 16 – Jul 28May 15 – Jun 26May 1 – Jun 12
Sweet peasMar 1 – Apr 5Mar 1 – Apr 5Apr 28 – Jun 2Apr 1 – May 6Mar 20 – Apr 24
TulipsOct 1 – Nov 15Oct 1 – Nov 15Sep 20 – Oct 20Sep 25 – Oct 31Oct 1 – Nov 1
DaffodilsOct 1 – Nov 15Oct 1 – Nov 15Sep 20 – Oct 20Sep 25 – Oct 31Oct 1 – Nov 1
PeoniesOct 1 – Nov 15Oct 1 – Nov 15Sep 20 – Oct 20Sep 25 – Oct 31Oct 1 – Nov 1
CosmosMay 10 – Jun 21May 10 – Jun 21Jun 16 – Jul 28May 15 – Jun 26May 1 – Jun 12
NasturtiumsMay 10 – Jun 21May 10 – Jun 21Jun 16 – Jul 28May 15 – Jun 26May 1 – Jun 12
MarigoldsMay 15 – Jun 19May 15 – Jun 19Jun 9 – Jul 14May 20 – Jun 24May 1 – Jun 5
CalendulaMar 15 – May 3Mar 15 – May 3May 12 – Jun 30Apr 15 – Jun 3Apr 1 – May 20
SnapdragonsMar 15 – Apr 26Mar 15 – Apr 26May 12 – Jun 23Apr 15 – May 27Apr 1 – May 13
RanunculusMar 15 – Apr 19Mar 15 – Apr 19May 12 – Jun 16Apr 15 – May 20Apr 1 – May 6

Growing flowers in the Northwest

Flowers fall into three groups by timing. Spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils are planted in fall, once the soil cools. Dahlias are tender tubers planted in spring once the soil warms and dug or mulched for winter. Annuals like zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers and sweet peas grow from seed each year, and ranunculus grow from small corms planted in early spring.

Sweet peas are a cool-season flower that does especially well in the Northwest; sow them early in spring. Zinnias and sunflowers are the opposite and want warm soil, so wait. Dahlias are a regional favorite, but their tubers rot in cold, waterlogged ground, which is why west-side gardeners often wait until the soil has warmed and lift the tubers in heavy soils for winter.

Most cut flowers bloom more the more you cut them, and deadheading spent flowers keeps annuals going. Slugs love young dahlia and zinnia shoots, so protect them early. Daffodils and sunflowers are the easiest places to start; deer and rodents leave daffodils alone.

Common questions

When should I plant tulips and daffodils?

In fall, once the soil cools, usually October and November on the west side and a few weeks earlier east of the Cascades. They need winter chill to bloom.

When can I plant dahlias?

After the soil warms in spring, usually May on the west side. Tubers rot in cold, wet soil, so don't rush them.

Which flowers are easiest to grow from seed?

Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, calendula and nasturtiums. Sow calendula in spring while it's still cool; wait for warm soil for the others.

Guides for these plants

Other plant types

Plants for your conditions