An ornamental cut flower garden is an attractive feature of any yard. A combination of annual blooms such as zinnias and sunflowers with perennial varieties like larkspur or garden phlox will guarantee an abundance of blooms throughout the season.
To create an effective mix, group plants according to their bloom times and heights – this allows you to ensure each flower receives exactly what it requires.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are easy to cultivate in any garden and make beautiful cut flowers. The optimal time and place for sowing sunflower seeds is in late spring, about two weeks post your last frost date.
Be certain that the location you have selected receives full sunlight; few cut flowers thrive under conditions other than full exposure to light.
Once the seeds germinate and start growing, be sure to regularly weed them, guarding against birds and other critters until they have reached 3 to 4 inches (7-10 cm).
Indoor sowing or starting seedlings is an easy and quick way to start growing seeds or seedlings for outdoor cultivation. Starting indoor seedlings early is also beneficial in expanding your selection, as you can access varieties not readily available through garden nurseries. When cultivating branching sunflowers, pinch the plants periodically until 6-8 long straight stems appear with buds on each.
Sweet Peas
Be sure to include a variety of annuals and perennials when planting an array of colors, heights and textures in your garden plantings; the more varieties there are to work with the easier it will be to create garden bouquets and arrangements!
Plant a selection of cold-season flowers such as sweet peas in spring, then follow up with warm-season varieties like zinnias that thrive in summer heat to guarantee you have plenty of blooms all summer long. This way you will ensure a steady supply of blooms all through summertime!
Deadheading regularly to extend flowering is key to prolonging flowering. To do this, pinch off faded blooms just above healthy leaves or buds using clean and sharp garden shears in order to limit trauma to the plant. Sugar or flower preservative can also extend vase life for harvested stems.
Zinnias
Zinnias are an integral component of many gardeners’ cut flower arrangements, offering a range of colors, sizes and shapes for creating stunning arrangements. Grown both annually as annuals as well as perennially in certain climates.
Pinching young zinnia plants is an effective way to encourage branching and lengthened stems. Use either your fingers or clean pruners to pinch off their growing tip when the plants reach 8 to 12 inches tall – usually just above a set of leaves – at 8-12 inches high.
Regular deadheading of zinnia plants is also essential to their wellbeing. A pair of sharp pruning shears should be used to cut away faded blooms from their base just above healthy leaves on stems that have formed buds, thus keeping their vitality.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are popular starter plants for cutting gardeners. Easy to grow from seed, these flowers produce long blooming periods.
Pinching nasturtium plants encourages them to branch and produce more flowers, while simultaneously encouraging long stem development which extends vase life for cut blooms.
Plant nasturtiums in well-draining soil and add in compost or well-rotted manure for extra nutrition. However, avoid overfertilization as too much nitrogen could inhibit flower production.
Marigolds
Once the ground has become workable in spring, it’s time to begin your cut flower garden. Select an area in your yard which receives at least 6-8 hours of sun per day; full sunlight would be preferable. Also make sure this area is free from grass and clearly demarcate its edges before beginning planting.
Consider companion planting when cultivating cut flowers. Planting vegetables and herbs such as dill, basil and marigolds together attract pollinators while simultaneously improving growth, deterring pests and adding color to your garden.
Deadheading or pinching faded blooms is essential to prolonging their beauty in a vase and encouraging new growth. Always use clean shears when deadheading to avoid any damage to plants, and to keep their water clean; acidic environments are best suited for roses, tulips and hydrangeas while sweet peas, carnations snapdragons and sunflowers need alkaline conditions for best blooms.