Wow! It already feels like summer in Southern Oregon. The warmer and longer days had me feeling way behind in my garden. But then I checked the calendar and remembered we are still lingering in the last few days of winter. Our last projected frost date is not for about 8 weeks luckily. Big exhale!

There is still plenty of time to pick seeds out and to start things indoors. Once I get all of my seeds planted in the greenhouse, I make a plan for the crops I want to direct sow once the days and the soil are truly warm enough. Like sunflowers, cucumbers and green beans!

Today I am planning on starting some flower seeds after I pot up my tomato babies. I started thinking about what colors are bringing me calmness and joy right now. I settled for soft pinks and peachy hues, just like my blush palette, which hopefully I will not be using once I get a few more sunny days in the garden under my belt.

Colors have a pretty strong impact on my mood and I am searching for some softness in life these days. Hopefully, my garden will provide food, joy and a little more softness to my life this year.

Happy Spring! I hope you enjoy these 5 perfectly blushing flowers for the Equinox.

#1. Celosia, Flamingo Feather

An excellent border or bedding plant with wheat like pale pink spikes. It is truly gorgeous in fresh bouquets but really shines in everlasting wreaths, flower crowns and other dried arrangements. I like the soft ethereal air it gives to the garden and my home. Think fairies. Celosia likes some warmth so start these tiny seeds indoors. Cover seed gently with a little vermiculite or perlite as they do better with a bit of light. 

#2. Cosmos, Double Click Mix

In my opinion every garden needs a Cosmo, or two even. They are such playful flowers and truly bring me joy when I walk through my flower beds. They also make beautiful additions to bouquets, working great as filler flowers. Double Click Mix has a range of double blooms in colors from fuchsia to pale pink to white. With a long lasting vase life this is a great choice! You can start your cosmos indoors or you can direct sow them in late April.

#3. Marigold, Kilimanjaro White

I love this new variety we got in for 2026! The seeds come from one of our favorite flower-farmer-florist friends Stacy Denton. She has a great eye and chose this adorable soft variety with blooms the color of grass fed butter. This variety only grows to 18” so it is great for inter-planting and just so cute! I can’t wait to grow it myself. Starts seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

#4. Strawflower, Apricot Mix

To be honest I might just be growing this because of the name! I can not wait until I get to eat fresh fuzzy apricots off of the tree. However, while I wait for deep summer fruit I am going to start by seeding some of this strawflower variety. I will start these beauties indoors and transplant them out in may. The blooms should come on a little before the apricots do. I love these everlasting flowers, this mix comes in colors ranging from peach to coral. Yum.

#5. Zinnia, Queeny Lime Blush

I am quite obsessed with the colors of these flowers! Peach with lime green undertones.They are absolutely delightful. Excellent as a cut flower but they also look so cool when you dry them. I grow these every year. We also have 'Queeny Lime Red' and 'Queeny Lime Orange' if you want to try them all! Zinnia can be started indoors to jump start your season or you can direct sow once your last frost date has passed.