11 Seeds to Plant Outside Before it Snows for Spring Blooms

Though it may seem damaging to plants, snow is actually protective! Snow acts like mulch over the winter, insulating and protecting the soil. It’ll keep seeds, seedlings, and perennials safe from frost damage. 

Some plants need cold weather to sprout. Through a process called cold stratification, their seeds prepare to germinate only after they receive cold temperatures for a sufficient amount of time. When you sow their seeds before it snows, you give them enough time to go through the stratification period and germinate.

Others are frost-hardy, and the earlier you plant them, the earlier they’ll grow. Sowing them in the fall will lead to early spring blooms. They’ll grace the landscape before your other plants wake up from dormancy. 

Here are the ideal fall or winter-sown seeds to plant for spring blooms.

Mikado California Poppy

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Mikado California Poppy Seeds

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True Hyssop

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True Hyssop Seeds

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Wild Bergamot

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Wild Bergamot Seeds

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California Poppy

	botanical name Eschscholzia californica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 6-10

California poppies are native plants of the western U.S. and northern Mexico. They fill wild fields and roadways with orange, red, and yellow flowers that look like poppies. Below the blooms sprout lacey, frilly green leaves with an attractive gray-blue hue under direct sunlight.

These poppy look-alikes grow best under direct sunlight in open spots. They won’t grow well in the shade, as they prefer sunny, dry conditions to thrive. 

Sow California poppy seeds in the fall for early spring blooms. Do so well before it snows, when the weather is cool and mild but not freezing. Scatter the seeds on the soil, rake them in lightly, and moisten them to help them settle. 

Douglas Aster

	botanical name Symphyotrichum subspicatum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Another U.S. native plant, the Douglas aster, is a lovely perennial for western U.S. gardens. It survives cold winter weather, and it’ll thrive if you plant its seeds for spring blooms before it snows. The seeds will overwinter well under cover, and they’ll sprout into seedlings when the weather warms.

Douglas asters are members of the American aster genus, Symphyotrichum. If you live outside of this species’ native range, try growing an American aster that grows wild in your region. Plant types like New York, New England, and smooth asters. 

These perennials spread with seeds, and you’ll see seedlings pop up if you leave the spent blooms standing. The seeds fall to the ground in the fall and winter, and you’ll see volunteer seedlings grow in late winter and spring. 

Forget-Me-Not

	botanical name Myosotis sylvatica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-1’
	hardiness zones 3-8

Forget-me-nots are hard to forget! Their bright blue blooms fill landscapes with color and charm in the late winter season. They bloom early, and planting them before it snows will give the seedlings a head start. 

Be careful, though, as these perennials are invasive in some regions of the U.S. Plant them in areas where they’re not a problem, where cold winter weather prevents them from spreading out of control. 

If you want a different colored plant, try the pink-blooming cultivar ‘Victoria Pink.’ The flowers grow on a compact mound that stays shorter than eight inches tall.

Goldenrod

	botanical name Solidago spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-8’
	hardiness zones 2-8

Goldenrods are perennial wildflowers, and many are native to North America. Their bright yellow blooms are full of pollen and nectar, and they attract dozens of pollinators at the end of the growing season. Plant their cold-tolerant seeds in fall or winter to help them establish in the garden.

Goldenrods bloom at the end of summer alongside purple asters. In combination, the two create a lush display of royal purples and bright, golden yellows. A winter sowing won’t give you a head start on the blooms, but it will let the plants establish themselves so they flower well in late summer and fall. 

Many different species exist, and gardeners in some regions have multiple species to choose from! Pick a type that thrives in your garden’s climate. They tend to prefer direct sunlight, well-drained soil, and infrequent irrigation. 

Hyssop

	botanical name Dracocephalum officinale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 3-11

Perennial herbs often benefit from a fall or winter sowing. Many need cold stratification, and some are cold-hardy and appreciate the early start. Hyssop seeds sprout in the spring if you sow them in fall or winter before the snow falls. 

True hyssop is an aromatic herb that sprouts a profusion of rich violet blooms throughout the summer. Use the flowers and leaves to flavor savory dishes, as the herb imparts a delicious flavor that blends well with sauces, marinades, and soups. 

If you sow the seeds before hard freezes arrive, your seedlings will sprout at the end of winter when the weather warms. They’ll bloom their first year, and they’ll have twice as many blooms the next year!

Large-Leaf Avens

	botanical name Geum macrophyllum
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Large-leaf avens is native to large swaths of the U.S., from the West Coast east towards the northern states, and northwards through Canada. It’s an understated perennial that deserves more love than it gets. It’s cheery, stately, and tough!

Plant this unique specimen to attract small pollinators hungry for pollen and nectar. The sunshine-yellow blooms light up the early spring landscape. 

Sow the avens seeds in autumn to increase the chances of first-year blooms. The early planting helps the seedlings mature in time for the blooming period. 

Lupine

	botanical name Lupinus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-4’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Lupines are annual, biennial, or perennial, with hundreds of species and many varieties in cultivation. Many are native to the U.S. Their seeds often need cold temperatures to sprout, and a fall or winter planting gives them the weather they need to germinate.

Sow lupine seeds this fall for spring blooms, or find potted plants in the spring. Many garden centers and plant nurseries offer hybrid lupine cultivars with flashy colors and tall bloom spikes. You can wait for those to appear, or get a head start on the season and plant seeds now for spring and summer blooms. 

Penstemon

	botanical name Penstemon spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-6’
	hardiness zones 5-8

Penstemons, or bearded tongues, are perennials with varying degrees of hardiness. They’re native to North America, and there are many flashy varieties to choose from. Hybrids, native species, and unique cultivars are available in seed catalogs and nurseries throughout the states. 

Choose a penstemon that grows well in your region and that you like looking at. Their seeds need a long growing period to germinate; sow the seeds at the end of summer when they’d naturally fall off the plants. 

The next fall, after the seedlings sprout, insulate their roots with mulch to help them survive the winter. Some species are incredibly cold-hardy, while others are frost-tender. Use compost, straw, or fallen leaves to protect the roots. 

Rose

	botanical name Rosa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-20’
	hardiness zones 4-11

Rose seeds need cold temperatures to germinate. You’ll need to either refrigerate the seeds and plant them in the spring, or sow the seeds before snow falls for early spring germination. Find seeds online, or gather them from hips you collect from your favorite plants. 

Rose seeds are genetically variable, and they’re often different from their parent plant. It’s a fun experiment to plant them and wait to see the surprising results. Wait for unique colors, flower shapes, and aromas.

Most roses stay under eight feet tall, though climbing types can extend upwards of 20 feet. Collect seeds from climbing types if you’d like a tall plant, or collect them from shrubby types if you’d like a rose shrub. 

Showy Milkweed

	botanical name Asclepias speciosa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Showy milkweed is one of the best milkweeds out there! It’s a U.S. native species that thrives in the western states. It needs little moisture and lots of sunlight to thrive, making it a perfect plant for hard-to-grow locations. 

Showy milkweed seeds require a cold stratification period to sprout. Sow seeds during the cold months, let snow fall to cover them, and wait for seedlings in the spring. 

Milkweed blooms are essential for monarch butterflies. Plant local milkweed species in your garden to help them thrive. Larvae hatch on the plants and eat the leaves, while the adult butterflies drink nectar from the flowers.

Wild Bergamot

	botanical name Monarda fistulosa
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-4’
	hardiness zones 3-9

Wild bergamot sprouts lovely lavender flowers that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. They’re nectar-rich and incredibly aromatic, making them pleasing additions to the herb garden. The plant is a tough herbaceous perennial that’ll grow well in many regions of North America, from open grasslands to urban sites.