why not try ... its two weeks before i can even plant them in MI ... ken

What kinds of flowers are you wishing to grow? Were you thinking of sowing in situ? What is your general location...your zone doesn't really tell us a whole lot.

You can always try it, but some zone 8 locations are getting a bit hot these days! That can make it a challenge unless you're prepared for it.

Some annuals, like zinnias for instance, can tolerate quite a lot of heat as long as they have enough moisture.

And some zone 8s are still too cool for sowing things like Zinnia or Cosmos outside ;-) In fact it's almost always too cool.

Your location is important to answer your question helpfully.

the issue is ... can a babe seedling.. put down enough of a root mass in time .. to make it thru the onslaught of the hot season ...

ken

I was wondering same. I'd like to plant some cleome to fill in my new garden and I also have zinnia, and nigella.

It largely depends on the soil temperature Kaillean and the likely future temperatures. Ken is concerned that the weather will get too hot. In my climate I am concerned that the weather won't be hot enough. Cleome, for example, has to be started undercover here. So you need to find out what is suitable for your climate. Maybe the Canadian Forum can help on that if no one here is in your area.