As the first green shoots of spring emerge, gardeners everywhere are eager to discover which seeds are setting trends and capturing hearts this season. Southern Seeds is excited to unveil the Top 10 Most Popular Seeds for Spring 2024, a list curated from our sales data and customer feedback, highlighting the varieties that have truly resonated with gardeners. From the enchanting blooms of Pompon Dahlias to the creamy sweetness of Peaches & Cream Corn, each of these seeds has earned its place as a gardener's favorite through unparalleled beauty, flavor, and garden performance.
This selection reflects not just the plants that are thriving in our gardens but also those capturing the imagination of the gardening community. As we explore the unique characteristics and growing tips for each of these beloved varieties, we invite you to join us in celebrating the seeds that have become the stars of the spring gardening season. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting your first plot, these top picks are sure to inspire and elevate your garden in 2024. Let's dive into the world of this season's most sought-after seeds and discover the perfect additions to your spring garden.
1. Pompon Dahlias (Dahlia variablilis)
Pompon Dahlias have soared in popularity, captivating gardeners with their intricate, ball-shaped flowers that offer a kaleidoscope of colors. These charming blooms stand out for their meticulous symmetry and plush texture, making them a standout addition to any garden design. Ideal for both borders and as cut flowers, their enduring bloom period from midsummer into the first frosts of fall ensures a garden filled with vibrant colors and dynamic textures for an extended season. Easy to grow and maintain, Pompon Dahlias appeal to novice and experienced gardeners alike, promising a spectacular garden show with minimal fuss.
2. Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda citriodora)
Lemon Bee Balm has surged in popularity among gardeners this season, not only for its strikingly beautiful purple-pink whorled flowers, but also for its delightful lemony scent that enhances any garden ambiance. This herbaceous perennial is highly sought after for its dual role in attracting a plethora of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, thereby promoting garden health and biodiversity. Easy to grow and maintain, Lemon Bee Balm thrives in a variety of conditions, making it accessible to gardeners with different levels of experience. Its leaves are cherished in herbal tea blends, adding a layer of utility to its ornamental value, which has solidified its status as a must-have in both culinary and flower gardens this spring.
3. Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
Lemon Grass has become a staple in gardens this spring, not only for its aromatic leaves that are essential in culinary dishes, but also for its tall, graceful foliage that adds structure and movement to the garden landscape. This tropical herb is celebrated for its versatility, serving as both a practical culinary ingredient and an ornamental plant that can create natural borders or add texture to garden beds. Gardeners appreciate Lemon Grass for its ease of growth in pots or directly in the ground, where it can thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Beyond its kitchen uses, Lemon Grass's citronella-like scent is reputed to naturally repel mosquitoes, making it a popular choice for outdoor living spaces.
4. Wild Red Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Wild Red Strawberry, or Fragaria vesca, has seen a surge in popularity this spring for its delightful, sweet-tasting fruits and decorative appeal in garden settings. Unlike their cultivated counterparts, these hardy perennials offer a charming, wild-grown aesthetic with smaller, intensely flavorful berries that can be harvested throughout the summer. Their compact growth habit and attractive white blossoms make them ideal for border edging, container gardening, or even as a ground cover, adding beauty and functionality to various garden designs. Gardeners treasure Wild Red Strawberries for their low maintenance requirements and their ability to attract pollinators, enriching garden biodiversity while providing a tasty treat straight from the garden.
5. True Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
True Comfrey is consistently one of the first seeds to sell out each spring, underlining its popularity and valued position in both medicinal and permaculture gardens. This perennial herb, known for its broad, hairy leaves and bell-shaped purple flowers, is sought after for its deep-rooting ability that helps improve soil structure and fertility. Gardeners prize True Comfrey for its dynamic use as a natural fertilizer, with leaves that can be composted or used as mulch to enrich garden beds. Its historical use in herbal medicine, particularly for its potential in treating bruises and sprains, adds to its allure, making it a must-have for those interested in both the healing and ecological benefits it brings to the garden.
One of the questions we get most frequently is whether we carry Bocking 14 which is a cultivar of Russian Comfrey. Bocking 14 is sterile and will not grow from seeds.
6. Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris)
Self Heal, also widely recognized as Heal All or All Heal, consistently ranks among the most sought-after seeds each spring, valued for its medicinal properties and versatility in the garden. This perennial herb, cherished for its compact purple flower spikes, is not only a magnet for pollinators, but also a staple in traditional herbal medicine, used in remedies spanning from sore throats to minor wounds. Its resilience and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, make it a favorite among gardeners seeking both aesthetic appeal and practical uses. The frequent inquiries we receive about Self Heal underscore its enduring popularity, with gardeners often curious about its benefits and how best to incorporate it into their garden's ecosystem.
7. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Feverfew has become a must-have in gardens this spring, not only for its daisy-like blooms that add a delicate charm to any setting, but also for its well-documented medicinal properties. Known for its ability to naturally alleviate migraine headaches, Feverfew is as practical as it is beautiful. This perennial herb thrives with minimal fuss, preferring well-drained soil and a sunny spot where it can flourish. Its popularity is also due to its self-seeding nature, which allows it to gracefully populate garden spaces year after year, providing both a visual feast and a natural remedy at hand. Gardeners are drawn to Feverfew for its dual role as a garden aesthetic enhancer and a go-to herbal remedy, making it a top choice for those looking to blend beauty with wellness in their garden landscapes.
8. Lavender, English (Lavandula angustifolia)
English Lavender remains a perennial favorite, swiftly selling out each spring due to its timeless beauty and myriad uses. Revered for its fragrant purple spikes and silvery-green foliage, Lavandula angustifolia is the quintessential addition to any garden, offering both visual appeal and a rich, soothing aroma. This versatile herb is not just a feast for the eyes and nose; its flowers are used in everything from culinary recipes to homemade skincare, making it a garden staple for those who cherish natural, homegrown products. English Lavender's popularity is further bolstered by its ease of cultivation and drought resistance, appealing to gardeners in search of low-maintenance yet highly rewarding plants. Its ability to attract pollinators while deterring deer and rabbits makes it an invaluable asset in creating a harmonious and thriving garden ecosystem.
9. Luffa Gourd (Luffa cylindrica)
Gardeners are falling in love with the Luffa Gourd, or Luffa cylindrica, for its unique gardening journey and the eco-friendly sponges it produces. Known for its charming yellow blooms, this vine turns into something quite unexpected - natural scrubbing sponges perfect for home use. It’s not just the novelty that attracts garden enthusiasts, but the appeal of growing something both ornamental and practical. Luffas need warmth and plenty of time to grow, making it best to start them early in spring indoors. This plant is a top pick for those looking to add an environmentally friendly and conversation-starting element to their garden.
10.Peaches & Cream Corn (Zea mays)
Peaches & Cream Corn, with its sweet and tender kernels, is quickly becoming a garden favorite. This variety of Zea mays stands out for its bi-colored kernels, offering a delightful blend of creamy texture and sweet flavor that's perfect for summer barbecues. It's a hit among gardeners not only for its delicious taste, but also for its relatively easy cultivation, making it a rewarding choice for both new and experienced growers. The plant thrives in full sun and appreciates fertile, well-drained soil, embodying the essence of summer in every bite. As a fast-growing crop, Peaches & Cream Corn allows gardeners to enjoy the fruits of their labor by mid to late summer, adding a staple to the home garden that's as tasty as it is beautiful.
And There You Have It!
As we wrap up our journey through the top 10 seeds for Spring 2024, it's clear that the world of gardening offers an endless palette of colors, flavors, and experiences. From the intricate blooms of Pompon Dahlias to the sweet, bi-colored kernels of Peaches & Cream Corn, each plant on our list brings its own unique contribution to the garden, promising a season filled with beauty and bounty. These selections represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the diverse and vibrant offerings available to gardeners eager to explore and cultivate their own slice of nature.
At Southern Seeds, our passion for plants goes beyond these top 10 favorites. We pride ourselves on curating a wide array of high-quality seeds to suit every gardener's needs, whether you're looking to create a culinary garden, a pollinator paradise, or simply add a splash of color to your landscape. With our commitment to supporting American farmers and promoting sustainable practices, we invite you to explore the many more amazing selections available at Southern Seeds. Let us be your guide and companion on your gardening journey, offering the seeds, knowledge, and inspiration you need to grow a thriving, vibrant garden. Here's to a fruitful Spring 2024 and the many gardening adventures that lie ahead!
