With winter slowly giving way to the promise of spring, many UK gardeners are wondering what steps to take next in their plots. The mild February weather offers a perfect window to begin sowing and planting for a spectacular season ahead. Whether you’re looking for instant colour or long-term perennials, the variety of flowers UK available makes it easy to create a garden that delights year-round.
What Flowers Can I Plant Right Now in February?
February is an exciting time in the UK garden calendar. While it’s still too cold for most outdoor sowing, you can get a massive head start indoors and plant several hardy options directly outside. Here’s exactly what you can plant this month for beautiful results later in the year.
Seeds to Sow Indoors in February
Start these under cover now for strong plants ready to go outside in spring:
- Petunias – For cascading colour in hanging baskets
- Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) – Shade-loving and incredibly reliable
- Nicotiana (Tobacco plant) – Fragrant evening scent
- Sweet peas – Classic climbers with heavenly perfume
- Begonias – Perfect for pots and window boxes
- Geraniums – Long-flowering and drought-tolerant
- Lobelia – Trailing blues and whites for baskets
Perennials to Plant Outdoors in February
These hardy plants can go straight into the ground as soon as the soil is workable:
- Lupins – Towering spires in every colour
- Globe thistles (Echinops) – Architectural and bee-friendly
- Japanese anemones – Elegant late-summer flowers
- Acanthus (Bear’s breeches) – Dramatic foliage and flowers
- Hellebores – Winter-flowering beauties that will bloom for years
Other February Planting Opportunities
- Bare-root roses – Plant now while dormant for the best establishment
- Hardy shrubs – Including winter-flowering varieties
- Spring bulbs (if not already planted) – Crocus and dwarf irises
Plants That Are Flowering Now in the UK (February)
Want instant colour? These plants are already blooming beautifully in February gardens:
- Helleborus niger (Christmas rose) – Pure white flowers
- Helleborus orientalis (Lenten rose) – Stunning shades of pink, purple and green
- Sarcococca (Sweet box) – Tiny white flowers with incredible fragrance
- Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ (Perennial wallflower) – Non-stop purple blooms
- Iris reticulata – Delicate early irises
- Snowdrops – Still going strong in many areas
UK Flower Planting Calendar – Month by Month
Here’s your at-a-glance guide to what to plant throughout the year, based on the best UK gardening practices.
March
The real start of the outdoor season:
- Cosmos, Gazania, Marigolds, Dahlias
- Sweet William, Cornflowers, Primroses
- Hardy annuals directly into the ground
April
Half-hardy annuals and more perennials:
- Rudbeckia, Clarkia, Monarda
- Nigella (Love-in-a-mist)
- Nasturtiums for edible flowers
May
The busiest planting month:
- Summer bedding plants
- Tender perennials
- All remaining annuals and vegetables
June
Fill gaps and plant for late summer:
- Alstroemeria, Achillea, Coreopsis
- Canterbury bells, Erigeron
- Night-scented stock
July
Last chance for some late performers:
- Foxgloves (for next year)
- Forget-me-nots
- Pansies and wallflowers for autumn/winter
August
Plant for autumn and winter interest:
- California poppies
- Potentilla
- Cyclamen hederifolium
September
Sow hardy annuals for next year:
- Calendula, Poppies, Wildflowers
- Aquilegia, Phacelia
October–November
Focus on structure:
- Bare-root roses and hedges
- Spring-flowering bulbs
- Hellebores and early perennials
December–January
Indoor sowing and planning:
- Sweet peas (early January)
- Winter containers with pansies and cyclamen
Top Tips for Successful Planting in the UK
- Check your local conditions – The south of England is usually 2–3 weeks ahead of Scotland.
- Soil temperature – Use a soil thermometer; most seeds need 10°C+ to germinate well.
- Weather protection – Keep fleece handy for sudden cold snaps.
- Buy quality plants – Look for strong, bushy specimens rather than tall and leggy.
- Mulch after planting – It saves water and suppresses weeds.
Whether you’re planting your first window box or revamping a large border, February is the perfect time to start. The flowers you plant now will reward you with months of colour, scent and wildlife value. Get out there and enjoy the fresh air – your garden is waiting!
