To maximize vase life, choose perennials with long stems and an abundant flowering period, adding some annuals for color and texture.
Ideal conditions for planting a cut flower garden include sun exposure and soil that drains well, rich with organic matter. Water frequently and add a slow-release organic fertilizer as part of your watering regime.
Location
An ideal location for growing cut flower gardens requires full sun; choose an area which receives at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. A shady area will severely limit how many flowers can be grown; annuals and biennials with long vase lives and blooming periods should be selected, while seed catalogs usually feature these plants with special icons.
Your cutting garden could include adapting an existing perennial bed or creating an entirely new one specifically dedicated to cutting flowers. When selecting a design for this, make sure that it allows easy access for weeding and harvesting; additionally, try spacing out your flowers rather than clustering them together.
An effective drain is essential, and an annual application of organic matter such as compost or rotted leaf mulch will help retain soil moisture during dry summers, encouraging healthy root development and helping prevent weeds while simultaneously improving soil condition, as noted by PepperHarrow Farm co-owners Jennifer and Adam O’Neal.
Soil
An essential component of a cut flower garden is well-draining soil. If yours is poor, amend it with organic compost which gradually breaks down but helps retain moisture and nutrients, as well as adding slow-release fertilizer in springtime.
An assortment of perennials and annuals provides you with an ideal array of colors, heights, textures and heights when creating bouquets. Include flowers suitable for drying like sunflowers and hydrangeas as well as aromatic herbs with interesting foliage for maximum impact.
If you don’t have extra gardening space, try spreading out the flowers you are cultivating for cutting around existing beds rather than clustering them together so you will enjoy an uninterrupted supply of blooms throughout the season. That way you won’t leave noticeable gaps when taking them out to be cut for bouquets.
Planting
“To find an ideal location, select full sun with well-draining soil,” according to Dani, and conduct a soil test before beginning your cut flower garden. She suggests mixing rich organic material such as compost or well-rotted manure into existing soil to prepare it for your cut flower patch.
Mix vegetables and herbs with cut flower beds if you like, which will increase pollination of both plants and flowers, according to Summer Skye Gardens blogger Dani. However, having dedicated cut flower beds will be easier to manage and provide superior results.
Leigh suggests planting your flowers either in rows, close together depending on their species and conditions of growth, with focal flowers and fillers included in both groups. She further advises including self-sowing flowers such as Achillea (available in various colors with a three week vase life).
Care
An ornamental cut flower garden requires proper care in order to provide a steady supply of blooms throughout the season. A combination of perennial and annual varieties should help guarantee fresh blossoms throughout the growing season.
Be sure to water your flowers regularly and deeply so that the soil stays moist but not saturated; overwatering can lead to root rot and nutrients being washed away, while under-watering leaves plants wilted. Water early morning to minimize evaporation and plant stress; adjust your schedule based on weather conditions and the needs of individual flower varieties.
Support tall, fast-growing plants with stakes or trellises as necessary to prevent tall stems from growing unchecked. When selecting supports that will not damage the stems of cutting flowers for cutting, do it in the morning cool to reduce wilting; use sharp knife or scissors instead of shears which crimp ends closed and inhibit water absorption.