Cut flowers typically need full sunlight to thrive, so be sure to plant yours in an area where there will be plenty of direct sun. Or place them among vegetables, perennials and shrubs in existing beds or gardens.
Many flowers require staking or support, with others needing regular pinching, pruning or deadheading. To facilitate easy care of these varieties, raised beds or locations with accessibile locations should be chosen for cultivation.
Design
Cut flower gardens can take the form of separate beds or scattered throughout your existing landscape, but both types should be designed for ease of harvesting, weeding and watering. Select perennial varieties with long vase lives that you can plant in groups to extend the enjoyment of each bloom in its time of blooming.
Bring color, height and texture into the garden with annuals such as Alyssum or Gypsophilia which add additional height and colors.
Plan your cutting garden to facilitate easy access by creating wide rows with plenty of paths between them. When selecting taller flowers such as dahlias and peonies, keep in mind they may require supports to avoid flopping over as they grow. Furthermore, pay attention to what conditions each species prefers in terms of sunlight exposure and wind direction exposure; annual plants like sweet peas and climbing nasturtiums often grow on vines that need to be netted or trellised in order to thrive.
Soil
Before starting to plant your cut flower garden, ensure the soil you’re using is free from weeds and provides adequate nutrition. Consider adding organic compost or slow-release fertilizer – especially to clay or sandy soils.
Stagger your planting of flower varieties so they bloom at different times, helping prolong their lives and prolong bloom. When cutting flowers, always use a clean tool instead of your hands as dirt spreads bacteria that causes rapid wilt. Cutting flowers early or late in the morning or evening ensures their stems have enough water stored up so as to not quickly wither away.
Keep in mind that taller plants require supports as they grow. Be sure to plant these near or in your garden so you can easily add stakes if necessary; perhaps consider growing flowers in raised beds for easier control of soil quality?
Seedlings
Plant seedlings specifically intended for cut flowers in beds dedicated to them, away from other parts of your garden, to easily access them when creating bouquets. This also makes weeding and watering simpler as no competing plants vie with each other for soil, sunlight, or nutrients.
Assemble an arrangement that showcases all your colors, heights and textures with perennials and annuals planted together. Perennials provide consistent blooms from year-to-year; annuals allow you to experiment with new varieties each year.
Before planting, conduct a soil test and amend as necessary. Organic material like rich compost may help with drainage; full sun areas are best. Also make sure each species receives their required space – usually found on its seed packet or tag.
Watering
Cut flower gardens require full sun and well-draining soil; therefore it is wise to conduct a soil test regularly in order to maximize growth potential.
Plan your beds with flowers in mind, limiting the number of plants to what fits into the space available to you. This makes for easier picking and can help prevent gaps or empty spots in your arrangement.
Consider companion planting as a strategy to repel pests; herbs such as marigolds and lavender act as natural insect deterrents, for example.
Group your plants based on their cultural needs and bloom times for more effective watering; this will reduce any instances of over- or underwatering them.
Zinnias and sunflowers require support in the form of a trellis to keep them from flopping over as they grow, harvesting your flowers either morning or evening to minimize wilting, and be sure to add floral preservatives as necessary.