How to Grow an Amazing Cut Flower Garden

Who doesn’t love a fresh, beautiful bouquet of flowers? What if you could grow your own flowers to use in bouquets and centerpieces around your home? Today I want to talk with you about how to grow an amazing cut flower garden.

Despite the small size of my garden, over the past few years, I have delightfully discovered that there are several types of long-stemmed flowers that grow well in containers. Since I only have room for containers on my balcony garden, I am only going to discuss flowers that can grow in containers, although most of these can grow in the ground as well.

Popular Cut Flowers to Grow

The most popular flowers to grow in cut flower gardens are roses, tulips, daffodils, sunflowers, and daisies. These types of flowers all have long stems which make them perfect for cutting and using as decoration around your home or garden.

When planting a cut flower garden, it’s important to choose flowers that will bloom throughout the summer. Here are some plants that are great to grow in a cut flower garden and that can also grow in containers, for those of you who have small spaces like me:

• Sunflowers
• Zinnias
• Hydrangeas
• Roses
• Ranunculus
• Daisies
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Dahlias
• Sweet Peas
• Larkspur
• Gladiolus
• Snapdragons
• Bells of Ireland
• Celosia
• Dianthus
• Cosmos
• Echinacea
• Peonies
• Black Eyed Susans

Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a perfect addition to any cut flower garden because it comes in so many different sizes. They come in single, double, and triple blooms with long stems that can grow up to six feet tall! The most popular variety of sunflower is the “mammoth” type which has been cultivated for centuries and produces large yellow flowers with black centers.

I grow these from seeds just about every year now. They were really fun to watch grow and bloom! I have several varieties that bloom yellow, orange, and red flowers.

Zinnias

Zinnia plants produce beautiful flowers in pinks, red, white, orange, and yellow. I just started growing these in pots, and they get tall enough to fit into a nice-sized bouquet. Mine are about a foot and a half tall already, so the perfect size to be cut for a display.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are great to add to bouquets since they add depth and dimension with their many bunches of flowers close together. They come in many colors to choose from as well.

Roses

Roses are one of the most common cut flowers because they come in so many different colors! These popular flowers also come in several varieties, such as climbing roses, miniature roses, hybrid tea roses, and floribunda roses. Hybrid teas make perfect cut flowers due to their long stems.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus are a favorite cut flower because they come in so many different colors and sizes. They come in single, double, and triple blooms with long stems that can grow up to six feet tall!

The most popular variety of ranunculus is the “Buttercup” type which has been cultivated for years because it produces beautiful flowers in all kinds of colors.

Daisies

Daisies are used in bouquets and centerpieces all the time. They are inexpensive, easy to grow, and come in a variety of types and colors. They also grow well in pots.

Tulips

Tulips come in a variety shapes and sizes, and they come in both single and double blooms. There are also hundreds of different tulip varieties to choose from, so you’re sure to find the perfect type of tulip for your cut flower garden.

Daffodils

Daffodils are one of the earliest flowers to bloom in the springtime, and they come in a wide variety of colors including yellow, orange, white, pink, and red. They have long stems which make them ideal for cutting, and their cheerful colors will add brightness to any room.

Dahlias

Dahlias are another favorite cut flower because they come in so many different colors and sizes. They come in single, double, and triple blooms with long stems that can grow up to five feet tall!

The most popular varieties of dahlia include “Ballerina” (single bloom), “Duchess” (double bloom), or the new hybrid variety called ‘Kaleidoscope’ which produces beautiful pink flowers.

Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are a great addition to any cut flower garden because they come in so many different colors and sizes. They come in several varieties with long stems that can grow up to six feet tall! You might want to grow these on a stake or trellis for extra support.

Larkspur

Larkspur is a favorite cut flower because they come in a variety of colors and sizes. They grow on long stems that can grow up to five feet tall! The most popular variety of larkspur is the “Delphinium” type which has been cultivated for years because it produces beautiful blue flowers.

Gladiolus

Gladioli are a favorite cut flower and the birth flower for those born in August. They also grow on long stems that can grow up to six feet tall! Grow these in your cut flower garden to add height to your bouquets once they are ready to cut.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons bloom in so many different colors and sizes. They grow flowers long stems that can grow up to six feet tall! They are similar to larkspur and gladioli for their height, but you can never have too many flowers growing in your garden!

Bells of Ireland

Bells of Ireland bloom green flowers on tall, green stalks. They make great fillers for bouquets and if you want more green in your cut flower garden and centerpieces.

Celosia

These cut flowers are also known as “Cockscomb” because they produce beautiful red, orange or yellow flowers in the shape of folded combs. These will add great variety in shape and texture to your cut flower garden.

Dianthus

These cut flowers are also known as “Pinks” because they bloom flowers in different shades of pink. Some varieties bloom flowers on short stems, while other varieties reach several feet tall, making them great cut flowers.

Cosmos

Cosmos are one of the easiest cut flowers to grow. They bloom well in pots or flower beds. The most popular types bloom red, pink, and white flowers, although they also come in different colors.

Echinacea

If you’re looking for something a little different, why not try growing Echinacea? These cut flowers are also called the “Coneflower” because they produce beautiful purple, pink or white flowers with a cone-shaped center.

Peonies

Peonies look like beautiful, fluffy roses. These cut flowers are also called the “Queen of Flowers” because they produce beautiful white and pink flowers with petals that form a cup shape. You can also grow other varieties for a colorful bouquet.

Black Eyed Susans

Black Eyed Susans produce beautiful yellow flowers with a black center. Add these to your cut flower garden for a bright addition to your outdoor space. They can also cheer up your indoor space once cut.

There are other types of flowers that are great to grow in a cut flower garden as well, but I want to keep this list fairly short. Below is more information on how to grow and prepare cut flowers.

Growing Cut Flowers

Here are several tips to successfully grow your own cut flowers. Be patient, since you may go through some trial and error before things go smoothly (like with my experience). I started by getting a small plant at a local garden store (my favorite is Home Depot). You can also start by growing from seeds.

Pick flowers as much as you can. Picking flowers are similar to pruning. The more you pick, the more flowers will grow back. If you have too many flowers to use as bouquets and centerpieces, give them away to friends and family. I’m sure they would appreciate them!

Use fertilizer to keep your plants blooming. I am currently using Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food but would like to try organic fertilizer once I run out of the Miracle-Gro. So, if you have an organic alternative that works great, let me know!

Something else to consider is keeping the stems nice and tall. Flower stakes don’t cost much at all and can keep their stems from bending over due to the weight of the flowers.

If you have a large enough area, you can always grow your cut flowers in one area. I have mine in several pots but can move them around if I need to. Make sure the plants get enough water and sun as well.

Cut Flower Garden Plan

To plant your cut flower garden, follow these steps:

• Choose a location where there’s plenty of sunlight throughout the day. It should be within reach so you can easily water it when needed without having to stretch too much over other plants nearby. You’ll also want to make sure the soil is fertile and has good drainage.
• Choose your flowers. The best flowers for a cut flower garden are those that have sturdy stems, come in a variety of colors, and last a long time once they’re cut. Some popular varieties include snapdragons, zinnias, bells of Ireland, celosia, dianthus, cosmos, sunflowers, echinacea and peonies.
• Draw out a plan for your garden so you can visualize how it will look when it’s finished. Make sure to leave enough room for each type of flower to grow fully without overcrowding.
• Plant your flowers according to their height and width. For example, plant taller plants towards the back of your garden so they don’t block out shorter ones in front. You should also consider how long each type takes before it blooms or grows to its full size; this will help determine where you might want them planted too!
• Water your seeds according to the instructions on their packaging. Some need more moisture than others, while some can survive with less frequent watering schedules.”

Cut Flower Care Tips

Once your flowers have started blooming, it’s important to take care of them properly so that they stay healthy and look their best. To care for your cut flower garden, be sure to water the plants regularly and fertilize them every few weeks. You can also deadhead (remove) the old flowers to encourage new blooms.

Here are a few tips once you are ready to cut your flowers for bouquets:

• Make sure to cut the flower stem at an angle using sharp scissors or a knife. This will help the flower absorb more water.
• Place your cut flowers in a vase with cold water and add floral preservative (available at most florists or garden stores).
• Replace the water and preservative every other day to keep your flowers looking fresh.
• If you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time, ask a friend or neighbor to check on your flowers regularly and change their water if needed.”
• Now that you know how to plant and care for your cut flower garden, it’s time to get started! With a little bit of work, you’ll have beautiful blooms growing right in your own backyard.

Grow a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners

Before you know it, you will have beautiful flowers to use in bouquets and centerpieces. How are you planning to grow your amazing cut flower garden? Or do you have one already? Let me know in the comments section below.

Happy gardening!