Trusted Seed Companies We Love at 19 Birch Lane: Sourcing the Best Flower Seeds for Zone 6 Gardens
At 19 Birch Lane, a boutique botanical garden and wedding venue in Mid Coast Maine, our growing season begins not in the soil, but in the seed trays under lights. Each year, we carefully select and sow over 50 varieties of flower seeds—many of them cold-hardy annuals and perennials ideal for Planting Zone 6a.
Whether you’re creating your own cut flower garden, starting a cottage-style border, or looking to fill raised beds with vibrant blooms, choosing the best seed companies is essential. Not all seeds are created equal—and with today’s wide array of catalogs and online shops, knowing where to source high-quality, reliable seeds can make all the difference.
In this post, we’re sharing our favorite trusted seed companies for Zone 6 gardens and flower lovers—plus why buying from reputable sources matters more than ever.
Why Quality Seeds Matter in Zone 6
Gardening in USDA Zone 6 means working with a shorter growing season, unpredictable frost dates, and the need for hardy, well-adapted plants. Choosing reliable seed companies ensures:
✅ Higher germination rates
✅ Disease-resistant plants
✅ Accurate variety labeling
✅ Better bloom timing and plant vigor
✅ Success with cool-season seed starting and warm-season transplants
At 19 Birch Lane, our success with flowers like snapdragons, zinnias, delphiniums, pansies, eucalyptus, petunias, and Bells of Ireland depends entirely on starting with quality flower seeds for Zone 6 climates.
Seed Catalog
With so many seed company's it sometimes can be hard to find a good one.
Our Favorite Seed Companies for Zone 6 Flower Gardens
🌱 Johnny’s Selected Seeds (Maine)
Best for: Professional-grade seeds, tools, and high-performance flower varieties
Why we use it: Based right here in Maine, Johnny’s Seeds is our go-to for dependable varieties adapted to the Northeast. From cold-hardy perennials to heat-loving zinnias, their flower seed catalog is packed with Zone 6-friendly options for both hobbyists and professionals.
🌸 Floret Flower Farm (Washington)
Best for: Boutique flower varieties and high-demand cut flower seeds
Why we use it: Floret’s cut flower seed collections are legendary. Though availability is limited, we always try to snag specialty flower seeds like heirloom zinnias, rare cosmos, celosia, and poppies.
🌿 Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (Missouri)
Best for: Rare heirloom seeds and global flower varieties
Why we use it: At 19 Birch Lane, we like mixing modern favorites with unique, old-world charm. Baker Creek provides access to hard-to-find heirloom flowers that add character and story to our garden rooms.
🌼 Park Seed Company (South Carolina)
Best for: Easy-to-grow flower seeds and garden staples
Why we use it: Park Seed is ideal for reliable annuals like petunias, vinca, and pansies—especially useful in our early seed-starting schedules. Their flower seed packets are consistent and beginner-friendly.
Best for: Bulk seeds for large plantings and professional growers
Why we use it: For our botanical venue gardens and wedding displays, we need big, dependable color. Harris Seeds offers bulk cut flower seeds like lisianthus, cosmos, coreopsis, and marigolds—ideal for Zone 6 landscaping and large-scale beds.
🌷 Territorial Seed Company (Oregon)
Best for: Organic, non-GMO flower seeds and sustainable gardening
Why we use it: With increasing interest in organic flower farming, we turn to Territorial Seed Company for eco-conscious selections and non-GMO seeds. Their catalog also includes Zone 6-compatible natives and perennials that thrive in naturalistic plantings.
Some of our favorites
Seed Starting at 19 Birch Lane: Our Process
Each January, we kick off our Zone 6 seed-starting schedule in a dedicated grow room outfitted with LED grow lights, heat mats, and humidity domes. Some varieties we start early include:
Delphiniums
Columbine
Snapdragons
Eucalyptus
Geraniums
Petunias
Pansies
Vinca
Zinnias
Verbena
Coreopsis
Bells of Ireland
We typically grow 50+ varieties of annual and perennial flowers each season, gradually transitioning them to our greenhouse to harden off before planting in beds, containers, and event spaces.
Final Thoughts: Start with Good Seeds and Grow from There
If you’re creating a cut flower garden in Zone 6, designing a wedding venue landscape, or just want to add beauty to your backyard—start with seeds you trust.
At 19 Birch Lane, we consider our seed choices to be one of the most important decisions we make each year. They shape the season ahead, from the tiniest pansy bloom to the tallest snapdragon stem. And when sourced from companies who value quality, performance, and stewardship, they lead to gardens that thrive.
📍 Come see how it all grows! Visit our botanical gardens in Mid Coast Maine, follow our greenhouse updates, and discover how flower farming and seed starting shape the story of 19 Birch Lane.
Ready to grow? Drop us a comment with your favorite seed company or variety—we’re always planning the next bloom.