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There is something about planting a cut flower garden that just feels right. It builds hope for the future and creates an image that your days will be filled with bouquets and peaceful toil in the summer sun. Most people find what they love early in life, and it’s true that my first job was at the florist down the street from my house. So, this year I’ve rented a space to grow flowers for no specific purpose— except perhaps to reconnect with that early love for cut flowers. Maybe I will keep them, give them away, or sell some flowers. I’ll report back on that in July. Today, I am going to share five flowers that are perfect for a cut flower garden. You can set aside a separate plot for these flowers, or add them to a row in your existing vegetable garden.

Zinnias

Zinnias are easy to grow and produce sturdy, prolific  blooms all summer that are perfect for filling a vase. They are warm weather staples and can be planted in succession about 4 weeks apart to extend your harvest period. Zinnias come in a full rainbow of colors, so you will have a lot of options on what to grow. 

Zinnias are great for a new gardener since they are easy to grow and forgiving. You could skip all the other plants on this list and just grow a plot of Zinnias to great success. Zinnia’s can be started indoors early, but they are also easy to direct sow. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds has a good selection of Zinnia varieties to choose from. 

Cosmos

Cosmos are airy, prolific bloomers that bring movement and a lighter texture to arrangements. They thrive in average to poor soil and too much fertility will reduce flowering, so it is best not to overfeed them. Like zinnias, they benefit from frequent cutting, which encourages longer stems and more blooms over time. Harvest when the flowers are just opening since fully open blooms tend to shatter quickly in the vase.

The light an airy texture are why I added Cosmos to this list. They can bring a carefree feeling to most arrangements.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are the epitome of joy in a cut flower garden. Sunflowers are fast growing, high impact stems that add structure and bold color to any bouquet. Most varieties are best direct seeded, and you can succession plant every one to two weeks for a steady harvest instead of one large flush. Choose branching varieties for cut flower production rather than single stem giants, which only give you one bloom per plant. Harvest just as the petals begin to lift to avoid pollen drop and extend vase life.

Johnny’s Seeds has a nice collection of sunflowers for cut flower gardens.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons are a cool season standout that produce tall, elegant spikes perfect for early and late season bouquets. Start them indoors well before your last frost and transplant out early since they can handle light frost and prefer cooler temperatures. Pinching young plants encourages branching and more usable stems instead of a single central spike. Harvest when the lower third to half of the florets are open and they will continue opening in the vase. Photo below is from Johnny’s Seeds.

Amaranth

Amaranth is a standout foliage and flower crop that adds dramatic texture and movement to arrangements, especially the trailing types. It thrives in heat and full sun, and like many productive cut flowers, it is best direct seeded after the last frost. Give plants plenty of space since they grow quickly and can become large and busty. Harvest when the tassels or plumes are fully developed but still vibrant, since overly mature stems can shed and lose their impact.

About the Author

Ken Welch is a garden writer with a very serious degree in Horticulture. When his city lacked a community garden, he helped build one. He teaches new gardeners how to grow their own food.

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Cibus Est Imperium | Food is Power