The 'dreamland' zinnias from Park's blooms in about 6 weeks for me.

Alyssum is an early bloomer and I've had Dianthus the 'ideal' series bloom in May.

I've winter sown Malva'zebrina' and had blooms even when the plant was very small.
Winter sown Nicotiana 'perfume purple' and various poppies and Batchelor buttons were blooming by mid- June.

That's all I have had experience with in Z4.

I'm confused - what do you mean by "quick blooming"? By nature, annuals *are* quick blooming - they germinate, flower, set seed in one season. So, really, you've got a whole range of plants from which to choose.

Some easy ones from seed that I'm fond of: Vinca, petunia, browallia, impatiens (a little tricky from seed but not difficult, per se).

Also, zinna, cosmos...oh gosh the list goes on.

Geraniums (the annual variety) are really easy from seed, but you won't get those big, lush plants you'll see for sale the first year (though they will flower). Good thing is you can dig them up and store them each year, and believe me you will have *HUGE* plants in subsequent years for an el cheapo initial investment.

We can help you narrow down the choices if you let us know what type of flower you're looking for (height, color) and the growing conditions you have. :0)

i started impatiens in the house once ...

ken

Starting from seed is "iffy" at best for me (and it's not for lack of attempts over the years) so I buy flats or market packs from a local nursery specializing in annuals. They're ready to bloom as soon as planted and someone else has done all the hard work.

Might not fit in with the new frugality, but it's my insurance policy against failure. My gardens are largely perennial, but I wouldn't be happy without a scattering of annuals - and I like giving my business to this lovely little Mom & Pop outfit.

I've never started them from seed, but Pansies are one of the first annuals to show up in nurseries in the spring.

Thanks for all your replies.

mxk3, by "quick blooming" I was looking for relative short time to bloom among annuals, like some annuals might take 10 weeks from germination to bloom, while some others might only need 6 weeks. I was looking for the quick ones.

Actually I will plant the slow ones too, but it's just that if I know some are quick, I would like to plant those to so that at least I will get some flowers early in the spring/summer.

Impatiens usually start blooming in the flats for me while hardening off before Memorial Day. I usually sow mid March.