When to sow winter flower seeds in Pakistan

Sow in nursery trays from late August through September, then transplant to beds and pots in late October and November for blooms from December to March. In Islamabad and the north, start two to three weeks earlier; in Karachi, wait until late September or October. Tiny seeds such as petunia and snapdragon should be surface-sown and misted, never buried — burying them is the single most common reason they fail.

What to grow

For beds and borders: petunia, pansy, viola, dianthus, snapdragon (dog flower), calendula, phlox, alyssum, stock and cornflower. For height and cutting: sweet pea, larkspur, hollyhock and carnation. For shade and verandas: primula, cineraria and daisy bellis. Gardeners in Islamabad and the hills get the best results of anyone — ranunculus, anemone and sweet pea all prefer a properly cold winter.

Every packet here is grown as a test tray before we pack it, the way our family has done since 1932. Plan your season with our guide to what to sow in September in Pakistan, the Lahore gardening calendar, or the Islamabad frost guide. Also browse winter vegetable seeds and the full garden seeds range.

Winter flower seeds — frequently asked questions

When should I sow winter flowers in Pakistan?

Late August to September in trays, transplanting in late October. Sown on time, they flower from December right through March. Sowing in November still works but delays flowering and shortens the display.

Which winter flowers are easiest to grow?

Calendula, alyssum, dianthus and nasturtium are the most forgiving. Pansies and violas are nearly as easy and flower straight through frost, which makes them the best choice for Islamabad and the north.

Why are my petunia seeds not germinating?

Almost always because they were buried. Petunia, snapdragon and lobelia seeds need light to germinate — press them onto the surface of a moist, light mix and mist rather than water. Our guide to why seeds fail to germinate in Pakistan covers the other common causes.

Can winter flowers survive frost in Islamabad?

Yes — most of them prefer it. Pansies and violas flower through frost, and larkspur, hollyhock and sweet pea produce their tallest spikes after a genuinely cold winter. Only cover them on the hardest clear nights.

Will these grow in pots on a rooftop or balcony?

Very well. Use a 10 to 12-inch pot with a light mix (half garden soil, a quarter rotted gobar khaad, a quarter coco peat) and place it where it catches the weak winter sun — in smog season, two extra hours of light makes a visible difference to flowering.