Beginning a cut flower garden from seeds can be truly magical. To increase productivity even further, incorporate vegetables and herbs.
Select a sunny spot with morning and evening sunlight, and prepare the bed by loosening the soil, adding compost, and slow-release fertilizer.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are often the first flowers we think of when planning a cut flower garden, making a cheerful statement in any arrangement.
Sunflowers are easy and quick to cultivate. Select single-stem varieties that produce one top-quality bloom per plant, and harvesting should be simple–simply pinch off where their head meets their base of leaf and pinch off!
Sunflower seeds germinate quickly from seed, making sunflowers an excellent choice for sowing from May to August in your garden or raised bed, or in containers around your home. Be sure to select an area with ample sunlight and well-draining soil – sunflowers require lots of direct sun light in order to open their blooms properly; as such, keep any weeds under control so the flowers receive enough direct light exposure.
Zinnias
Once thought to be outdated and droopy, zinnias are back on trend thanks to their vibrant colors and shapes. A staple in any cut flower garden, these bright blooms require full sunlight with sandy, well-draining soil for optimal performance. Deadheading zinnia plants regularly is key so they can redirect their energy toward creating new flowers rather than going to seed and pollination.
Growing Zinderella Peach Rose, Zinderella Queen Lime Orange and Oklahoma Salmon varieties is now possible! When planting them close together for more flowers per plant or further apart for taller stems and better branching. No matter your chosen spacing option, be sure they pass the “wiggle test,” meaning their necks remain stiff enough when cut off, as per this article by TWC.
Petunias
Petunias are among the workhorses of cut flower gardens, as they quickly sprout from seed. Furthermore, their wide array of colors makes them simple to grow in cutting beds if grouped by similar hues.
Keep in mind that most flowers bloom for only a short period of time each year, such as early summer perennials such as peonies, iris and sweet william. In such instances, their beauty often fades quickly in the harsh heat.
Keep in mind that certain plants (dahlias in particular) require staking (like dahlias) or netting (sweet peas and climbing nasturtiums) in order to remain upright without collapsing over. Many also require regular pruning for optimal appearance.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas add delicate flowers to bouquets, and are easy to grow. Climbers love this beauty; when planting outdoors after frost risk has passed it’s best to start indoors or use a trellis as these lovely blooms don’t tolerate being touched (they actually open their flowers if disturbed!).
To maximize cold-season flowers, sow seed in a grid pattern rather than straight rows to ensure even blooming and pinch them to encourage branching; this will produce additional blooms that you can pick later if allowed to mature and set seed.
When planting out, select perennial and annual flowers that bloom at different times to provide continuous supply and extend cut life while giving more options in arrangements.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas add vibrant pops of color to cut flower arrangements, are easy to grow, and long-lived in a vase. All it takes to keep them blooming beautifully is keeping their stems moist!
To preserve fresh flowers, it’s best to cut them in cool morning temperatures and immediately place them in lukewarm water. Use sharp pruning shears so as not to crush any stem ends prematurely.
Another tip for growing herbs successfully is to dip the stems in a jar of alum powder (available at most grocery stores in the spice aisle), which seals their ends so they can absorb water more readily and prevent leaves from sucking it up too fast. You should also remember to replace old water every few days with new, cool water so as to maintain optimal growth conditions for your stems.