Gorgeous Blooms from My Garden: Best Cut Flowers to Grow Yourself

Tired of pricey bouquets? Growing your own cut flowers is a rewarding and budget-friendly way to enjoy stunning blooms all season long. With a few seed packets and some basic gardening know-how, you can transform your garden into a personal floral paradise.

For me, the satisfaction of bringing an armful of flowers in from my garden is worth more than any florist’s arrangement. I love heading out to my garden with my clippers in one hand and a basket in the other to fill with garden flowers.

First off, what is a cut flower garden?? A cut flower garden is planted with cutting the flowers during the season in mind. You want to enjoy your flowers in arrangements and bouquets instead of just leaving them in the garden to admire.

Usually, It is annual flowers, some greenery or filler plants, and sometimes a few perennial options.

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Why Should I Grow Flowers Myself?

There are so many reasons to plant a cut flower garden this year! For me, there is nothing better than heading outside early on a Summer morning and cutting a fresh bouquet to bring in! Gardening is also my therapy, a day working in the dirt has a way of clearing your head.

If you don’t want to have a huge garden, even a single raised bed can grow enough flowers for you to enjoy.

Starting Your Cut Flower Garden

Let go over the basics for starting a cut flower garden and my resource with more details.

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My Favorite Cut Flowers That Never Disappoint

Zinnias

• Description: Zinnias are the stars of any summer garden! They come in an incredible range of colors (hot pinks, vibrant oranges, soft pastels, and more) and flower forms. You’ll find everything from simple daisies to dramatic pom-pom flower heads.
• Basic Growing Tips: Zinnias adore full sun and thrive in the heat. Ensure well-draining soil and water them regularly, especially during dry spells.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Zinnias are cut-flower powerhouses! Their stems are sturdy with long vase life. Plus, the more zinnias you cut, the more they produce – win, win!

Dahlias

• Description: Dahlias are true showstoppers in the cut flower garden! Their blooms come in a spectacular range of sizes, from adorable pom-poms to the giant ‘dinner plate’ varieties. You’ll find a dazzling array of colors and incredible flower shapes – spiky petals, fluffy balls, and intricate waterlily forms.
• Basic Growing Tips: Dahlias need full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. They are heavy feeders, so regular fertilizing will contribute to bountiful blooms. Water deeply, especially during hot weather. Note: In most climates, you’ll need to plant dahlia tubers in spring after the last frost.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Dahlias are long-lasting in bouquets and add remarkable variety to arrangements. Their strong stems make them easy to work with. Many types have fantastic vase life, and their diverse sizes and textures give plenty of design options.

Tip: For more blooms, don’t be afraid to cut dahlias often! It stimulates new growth and extends their flowering season.

Cosmos

• Description: Cosmos are the epitome of cottage garden charm. Their delicate, daisy-like flowers dance on tall & airy stems They come in a lovely range of colors from classic white and pink to bolder oranges and chocolatey browns.
• Basic Growing Tips: Cosmos are incredibly easy to grow and remarkably drought-tolerant. They enjoy full sun and well-draining soil. One of the bonuses of Cosmos is that they generally don’t need much fertilizing.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Cosmos are ideal for adding delicate texture and movement to bouquets. The lacy foliage creates a beautiful filler. While individual blooms don’t have the longest vase life, plants produce nonstop flowers to replace older ones you clip.

Celosia

• Description: Celosias make a statement like no other flower! They come in two main types: those with feathery plume-like blooms and those with the brain-like shape known as “cockscomb.” Their vivid colors of fiery reds, hot pinks, oranges, and yellows demand attention.
• Basic Growing Tips: Celosias thrive in heat and humidity. They love full sun and well-draining soil. While somewhat drought-tolerant, they’ll produce the most impressive blooms with regular watering.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Celosias add instant drama and a striking textural element to bouquets. They have a good vase life and are even lovely dried for long-lasting arrangements. Their bold colors act as a vibrant focal point or complement softer blooms.

Strawflowers

• Description: Strawflowers have a unique charm with their papery, bract-like blooms. They come in a beautiful range of colors, from warm yellows and oranges to pinks, whites, and even purples. The texture is almost otherworldly, adding a delightful whimsical quality.
• Basic Growing Tips: Strawflowers love full sun and well-draining soil. They are drought-tolerant, making them a great low-maintenance option.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Strawflowers have a fantastic vase life and are also ideal for drying. Their unique texture adds interest to bouquets both fresh and dried. Plus, their bright colors hold exceptionally well when dried, giving you endless crafting possibilities.

Fun Fact: Strawflowers are also called “everlasting flowers” because they retain their shape and color so well when dried.

Snapdragons

• Description: Snapdragons are a beloved cottage garden staple. Their tall spikes are densely packed with blooms resembling little dragon faces – hence the name! You’ll find them in almost every color imaginable, from pastels to bold jewel tones.
• Basic Growing Tips: Snapdragons thrive in cooler temperatures, making them an excellent choice for Spring and Fall blooms. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Regular watering keeps them producing their showy flower spikes.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Snapdragons add both vertical interest and cheerful color to arrangements. Their sturdy stems and decent vase life make them reliable. The delightful blooms have a slightly sweet fragrance, which is a bonus for bouquets.

Tip: Choose from dwarf, medium, or tall varieties of snapdragons to create varied heights in your garden and arrangements.

Sunflowers

• Description: Sunflowers are the icons of summer! Their bold, sunny faces on tall stalks offer instant joy. Beyond the classic yellow with a dark center, there are varieties in shades of red, orange, and even white with stunning bi-colors.
• Basic growing tips: Sunflowers are incredibly easy to grow and a fantastic choice for beginner gardeners. They adore full sun and will tolerate less-than-perfect soil. Water during dry spells, especially while young.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Sunflowers add cheer and drama to bouquets. There are two main types: single-stem varieties produce one large flower per plant, while branching types will produce multiple smaller blooms across the season. Both have decent vase life if harvested while buds are just starting to open.

Pollen vs. Pollenless: Some modern sunflower varieties are bred to be pollenless, which benefits those with allergies and keeps arrangements cleaner. Making them perfect for cut flower bouquets!

Fun Fact: Sunflowers are heliotropic, meaning their flower heads track the movement of the sun throughout the day!

Statice

• Description: Statice, also known as sea lavender, boasts clusters of tiny, papery flowers on delicate branching stems. It comes in a range of colors from classic lavender and white to pinks, yellows, and blues. The blooms exude a lovely airy feel.
• Basic Growing Tips: Statice loves full sun and thrives in well-draining, even sandy soil. It has fantastic drought tolerance and even enjoys a touch of salt, making it a good choice for coastal gardens.
• Why They Are good For Cut Arrangements: Statice adds an ethereal touch and delicate texture to bouquets. This flower works beautifully both fresh and dried. Dried statice maintains its vivid color, making it a popular choice for everlasting arrangements. Statice has a remarkably long vase life.

Sweet Peas

• Description: Sweet peas are climbers adorned with delicate, butterfly-like blooms in an enchanting array of colors. Pastel pinks, blues, and purples are classic, but you’ll also find bold hues and stunning bi-colors. Their intensely sweet fragrance is their hallmark.
• Basic Growing Tips: Sweet peas prefer cooler temperatures and thrive in full sun with rich, well-draining soil. They need support like a trellis or netting to climb on. Regular watering is important, especially when flower buds are forming.
• Why They Are Good for Cut Arrangements: Sweet peas are an absolute must for a cut flower garden! Their heavenly scent and romantic ruffled blooms bring charm to any bouquet. Harvest stems with at least a few unopened buds for the best vase life. The more you cut, the more they bloom!

Important Notes About Sweet Peas

• Start early: In many climates, sweet peas do best when seeds are sown in very early spring, as they prefer cool temperatures for optimal growth.
• Sweet pea seeds are poisonous: Keep seeds and pods out of reach of children and pets.

Calendula

• Description: Calendula (also known as pot marigold) has sunny, daisy-like flowers in vibrant shades of yellow and orange. The edible petals have a slightly resinous, tangy flavor. It’s an adaptable plant with varieties ranging from compact to taller, bushier forms.
• Basic Growing Tips: Calendula is incredibly easy to grow and will even tolerate somewhat poor soil. It appreciates full sun but can handle some light shade. Water regularly, especially during hot spells.
• Why They Are Good For Cut Arrangements: Calendula adds bold color and a whimsical touch to bouquets. The flowers have a decent vase life.

Easy Cut Flowers to Grow from Seed

Starting flowers from seed is a fun and cost-effective way to grow a gorgeous cut flower garden.

There are so many flowers that you can just sow the seeds directly in your garden bed and watch them grow. This is perfect if you are a beginner and want to keep it easy.

• Zinnias
• Cosmos
• Sunflowers
• Calendula
• Sweet Peas
• Celosia (I’ve had good luck with starting indoors and direct sowing)

**Dahlias are tubers that need to be planted after the danger of frost has past. **

Recommended To Start Indoors

• Snapdragons
• Strawflowers
• Statice

My go-to websites to order seeds: Select Seeds & Johnny’s. There are plenty of other online seed sites but I have had fantastic luck with both of these retailers for multiple years.

Tips for a Fabulous Cut Flower Garden

A few extra tips to get your cut flower garden off to the right start!

Deadheading

Even if you aren’t cutting every flower to bring in to fill your vases make sure you take the time to deadhead your plants. Deadheading is when you regularly remove the spent flowers off the plant to encourage more blooms.

I just go out to the garden in the morning with my snips and take a walk around to clean up the dead flower heads.

Even if you aren’t cutting every flower to bring in to fill your vases make sure you take the time to deadhead your plants. Deadheading is when you regularly remove the spent flowers off the plant to encourage more blooms.

Best Time to Harvest

Also, the best time of day to harvest your flowers is in the morning when the flower is the most hydrated. Hydrated flowers will have a longer vase life for you. If you can’t get out there in the morning then the second best time is at dusk. Try not to cut flowers in the heat and sun of the day.

How to Cut

• Use sharp, clean pruners or garden shears for a precise cut. Dull tools can crush the stems, hindering water uptake.
• Cut stems at an angle to increase the surface area for water absorption.
• For flowers with multiple blooms per stem (like zinnias), make your cut just above a leaf node to encourage new growth and more flowers.
• Immediately place cut stems into a bucket of fresh, cool water.

Longer Vase Life

• Always remove any leaves that will be submerged in the vase water to prevent decay.
• Use a commercial flower preservative (available at florists or with your grocery store bouquets) to extend the lifespan of your blooms.
• Change the vase water every couple of days, and recut the stems by an inch or so with each water change.

Simple Arranging

Start with a clean vase. Select a size and shape that compliments the size and style of your blooms.

Consider the “thriller, filler, spiller” design rule:

Thrillers: Tall, bold focal flowers (sunflowers, snapdragons, dahlias)

Fillers: Medium blooms adding texture and color (cosmos, zinnias, calendula, celosia)

Spillers: Delicate trailing foliage or blooms for a cascading effect (greenery, sweet peas)

One of my favorite greens to add to my cut flower vases is mint, it adds such a nice scent to your home and if you grow mint then you know there is always plenty to cut!

Don’t overcomplicate it! Even a simple gathering of a few varieties can look stunning.

Growing your own cut flowers is an incredibly rewarding experience. With a little planning and some sunshine, you can transform your yard into a haven of color and fragrance. Don’t hesitate – choose a few easy-to-grow varieties, prepare a sunny spot, and get ready to experience the joy of bringing bouquets from your garden to your table this Summer.

xo, Jennifer

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Grow With Me Gardening Series

This is part of the Grow With Me Gardening Series here at Cottage On Bunker Hill. I want to teach you ways of starting, maintaining, and enjoying gardening. I will share all the tips & tricks that I have learned over the years growing both vegetable and flower gardens here in the Northeast.

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