Cutting gardens provide a wonderful source of fresh flowers to use in flower arrangements. Annuals like sunflowers and sweet peas work well in cutting gardens, while perennials such as delphiniums can also thrive here. Plan your planting in rows for easy harvesting!
Choose plants that complement each other – soft pink dahlias provide an elegant contrast against purple sweet peas, while bright orangey-yellow rudbeckias stand out among an arrangement of yellow flowers.
Location
The optimal location for a cut flower garden depends on why and how you wish to cultivate flowers. If your objective is selling bouquets, your garden should be situated where it will attract customers; otherwise a raised bed might provide more convenient access to blooms for personal or home use.
Site requirements for flower gardens require full or partial sunlight and well-drained soil, with morning sun providing maximum heat and light for optimal flower growth. Beds should also be protected from winds that might disrupt taller blooms.
An ideal cutting garden should include both annual flowers that repeat-bloom, such as zinnias and sunflowers, as well as perennials like larkspur, sweet peas, and yarrow that bloom all season long from seeds. They make ideal starter plants because their care requirements are relatively straightforward.
Soil
An effective garden bed begins with rich, loose soil that drains quickly. Add plenty of organic matter, weed-proof it thoroughly before starting planting. Raised beds are best, but existing ground may require you to work the soil to improve drainage and moisture retention.
Annuals like zinnias and sunflowers form the cornerstone of any cut flower garden. You can add more color with perennials, such as larkspur, garden phlox and dahlias; or hardy annuals that bloom throughout the year like cosmos, sweet peas and scabious.
Determine each plant’s needs for successful growth and group them accordingly when planting them in groups. This will prevent accidental over- or underwatering of your plants, and may also help group taller flowers under shorter ones as they mature.
Sunlight
Cut flower gardens require plenty of light. Although planting in full sun would be optimal, at least ensure that their flowers receive plenty of sunshine throughout the day.
Succession planting should also be taken into consideration; once your spring bulbs have completed their blooming period, you can replace them with plants such as cosmos and sweet peas that provide cuttings.
Focus on creating a harmonious garden by including focal flowers, fillers and textures in equal proportion. You can add visual interest by planting unique foliage varieties or tall floral arrangements featuring these types of blooms.
Don’t be intimidated to experiment when it comes to arranging flowers. Use non-traditional vessels such as mugs or milk jugs as vessels for your bouquets! Be sure to change out the water every few days in your vase as well as adding a flower preservative so your blooms stay beautiful for as long as possible!
Water
Cut flower gardens make great investments. From filling every surface in your home with armloads of zinnias to adding one hellebore blossom in winter, a cut flower garden adds cheery blooms that create cheerful indoor spaces and make great presents.
Before planting your cutting garden, prepare the area by weeding and amending with organic matter to improve water retention. Add several inches of compost or leaf mold before beginning planting activities.
If possible, select a spot with full sun; most cut flowers thrive when exposed to full sunshine. Make note of any trees or structures that might cast extra shade during summer and plan accordingly. After planting your flowers, group them by their individual growing requirements (this is especially helpful when dealing with tall annuals such as sunflowers and zinnias) and consider spacing them closer than suggested on their seed packet for longer stems.