It may feel early (and way too hot) to think about spring flowers, but in North Texas, the best spring cutting gardens begin now.

For years, many gardeners assumed that cool-season cottage flowers such as snapdragons, larkspur, poppies, and sweet peas couldn’t be grown successfully in North Texas.

The problem wasn’t the flowers. It was the timing.

Gardeners were following generic advice and planting them too late. Here in North Texas, the key is to start or plant these flowers in fall. They spend the cooler months developing strong, deep root systems, then burst with flowers in early spring.

But each flower follows a slightly different schedule, which is where it can get confusing.

Some varieties should be started indoors at the end of August. Others perform best when direct-sown. Some benefit from a second succession, and some need protection during severe winter weather.

This Wednesday, I will show you exactly what to plant and when.

The first session of Cottage Cut Flowers with Cold-Hardy Annuals begins Wednesday, August 19, at 6:30 p.m., live on Zoom.

I will teach you:

• Which cottage flowers grow best in North Texas
• Which varieties to start indoors and which to direct-sow
• When to plant for the earliest, healthiest blooms
• How to prepare the soil before planting
• When and how to protect plants during winter weather
• How to plan successions for a longer cutting season

The class continues with a second live session on August 26. Recordings and class materials will also be available to enrolled students.

The annual plan is the best way to join us.

With Annual Enrollment, you’ll receive access to both live sessions, the complete on-demand class library, ongoing gardening help, and all upcoming Dallas Garden School classes.

Annual Enrollment also includes the 2027 North Texas Garden Handbook & Planner when it is released this fall.

The class will teach you how to grow the flowers. The planner will keep the important dates in front of you throughout the season.

Choose the annual plan at checkout to receive the 2027 Handbook & Planner with your enrollment.