Seattle flower growing advice for urban gardeners

I grow flowers on about 450 square feet in West Seattle, so everything on this page has been tested in a small, rainy, urban yard by someone who has made most of my flower screw ups.

This is where I keep what I've learned about growing flowers in Seattle: when to plant ranunculus corms, how to get dahlias through a wet spring, and which cool-hardy annuals like poppies and snapdragons can handle a Pacific Northwest winter.

The posts below are the real-time version, failures included. If you'd rather start with the full guide, check out how to grow ranunculus in Seattle.

Growing Flowers in Seattle

Bright cheery tulips blooms

Tulip Fire Disease in Seattle: How a Tarp and an Instagram Reel Wrecked My Tulips

I saw a reel from Ontario about tricking tulips into blooming early with a tarp and frost cloth, and I fell for it. I ended up with a squirrel buffet, Tulip Fire, and no earlier blooms at all.

Tulip Fire Disease in Seattle: How a Tarp and an Instagram Reel Wrecked My Tulips

I saw a reel from Ontario about tricking tulips into blooming early with a tarp and frost cloth, and I fell for it. I ended up with a squirrel buffet, Tulip Fire, and no earlier blooms at all.

What to Grow Besides Dahlias (If You Want Better Bouquets)

What to Grow Besides Dahlias (If You Want Better Bouquets)

Dahlias are the star of summer, but these are the flowers that make the whole bouquet work: texture, depth, and color.

What to Grow Besides Dahlias (If You Want Better Bouquets)

Dahlias are the star of summer, but these are the flowers that make the whole bouquet work: texture, depth, and color.

A bouquet of deep red, magenta, pink, and white ranunculus blooms

When Do Ranunculus Bloom in Seattle? A Succession Planting Update

When ranunculus bloom in Seattle depends on when you plant. A succession planting update: what worked, what didn't, and what's next.

When Do Ranunculus Bloom in Seattle? A Succession Planting Update

When ranunculus bloom in Seattle depends on when you plant. A succession planting update: what worked, what didn't, and what's next.

Six Years and Hundreds of Dahlias Taught Me the Same Three Lessons on Repeat

Six Years and Hundreds of Dahlias Taught Me the Same Three Lessons on Repeat

Six years of growing dahlias in a small Seattle yard taught me the same three lessons on repeat: sun, water, and food.

Six Years and Hundreds of Dahlias Taught Me the Same Three Lessons on Repeat

Six years of growing dahlias in a small Seattle yard taught me the same three lessons on repeat: sun, water, and food.

Rows of potted ranunculus transplants in small pots

Growing Ranunculus in Seattle (Plus an Unpleasant Visit From a Hungry Rat): February Update

My February ranunculus update after planting 1,000+ corms through winter: what's thriving, what's not, and one very hungry rat.

Growing Ranunculus in Seattle (Plus an Unpleasant Visit From a Hungry Rat): February Update

My February ranunculus update after planting 1,000+ corms through winter: what's thriving, what's not, and one very hungry rat.

A handful of dried, spidery ranunculus corms

How Not to Kill Your Ranunculus (Learn From My Mistake)

The Great Ranunculus Massacre of 2025/26 was entirely my fault. Here's how to presprout ranunculus without rotting the corms.

How Not to Kill Your Ranunculus (Learn From My Mistake)

The Great Ranunculus Massacre of 2025/26 was entirely my fault. Here's how to presprout ranunculus without rotting the corms.

Quick answers about growing flowers in Seattle

  • When should I plant dahlias in Seattle?

    Late March, historically our last frost, through mid-May. I usually plant in the first two weeks of April and have blooms by mid to late July.

    Dahlia planting advice 

  • Can I plant poppies and snapdragons in winter in Seattle?

    Yes, cool-hardy annuals like poppies and snapdragons do well planted in November or December or even January.

    Winter planting advice for poppies and snapdragons 

  • Do I need a big yard to grow cut flowers?

    No. My grow space for my flower farm is about 450 square feet of raised beds, and I grow hundreds of flowers a year on it.

    About West Seattle Flower Farm