Am I too late to sow hardy annuals?

Just started sorting out my seed tin and found various packs of hardy annuals. Is it worth sowing half the pack in the cold frame this weekend? Most were freebies so not much too lose. I'm in Sussex.

Yes and they say sow in early spring. But I seem to remember hearing you could get an earlier flowering by sowing early autumn...

I sow mine in spring even sweet peas which can be grown in autumn and overwintered but mice love them so now I don't bother

The packets says "spring" so stick with the instructions and you won't go far wrong 

I love annuals and use them widely both at home and on the plot as they attract bees and just look gorgous. My fave is a red Californian Poppy called Red Chief, cheap as chips, easy to grow but stops you in your tracks 

It's worth checking out Sarah Raven's website as she swears by sowing lots of hardy annuals in the autumn and gives some good advice.  Best get your skates on though!

I think her books are great.  Since reading them i've set aside a quarter of my allotment to grow cut flowers and the greenhouse is bulging with hardy annuals ready for next year.  I'm fast running out of space.  God only knows where i'm going to put the spring sown veg & flowers!