Cut Flower Recommendations

Handout-Cut Flower & Veggie Recommendations

Download the PDF above for all my recommendations for a cut flower garden. The information is reprinted below.

Cut Flower Recommendations (In Order by Season)

Daffodil

Plant bulbs in fall
Cut or pull it at the “gooseneck state” when it is showing color and the neck is bent
Can be placed with other flower but need to change water to avoid daffodil ‘slime’

Tulip

Plant in November as an annual
Pull up the bulbs so you have a longer stem for arranging and cut where the stem meets the bulb
Can be planted in soil-filled milk crates outside over winter

Corn Flower

Mostly blue, but whites, pinks, and dark almost black
Direct seed in fall or early spring; will reseed
Fizzles in heat, cut down once seeds form and it will reseed
Cut at the base of plant for arranging

Snapdragon

Fall or spring planted; transplants recommended
In spring, start the seeds indoors in March to plant out in April; seeds slow to germinate
Cut stem at base of plant, right above branching stem just as a couple of bottom flowers have started to open
Long lasting cut in arrangements

Nigella (Love in a Mist)

Direct seed in late winter, or early spring
Flowers in May and June, flowers aren’t long-lasting
Grown for the seed pods and feathery foliage
Yank up entire plants when seed pods start to form and place in a vase or hang up to dry
Reseeds easily

Anemone

Plant in Fall from tubers; soak first before planting
Plant in soil filled crates and place outside under plastic tunnels or in a cold greenhouse
Grows all winter, just be sure they don’t freeze
Blooms in early spring, cut at base for arranging
Long vase life of a week

Bells of Ireland

Direct seed in fall or late winter; seeds needs to be stratified with cold; I plant these in old milk jugs that make mini-greenhouses in mid-February
Flowers in May and June and has wonderful foliage
Long vase life and can be dried
Needs support
Cut at the base of the stems; reseeds

Larkspur

Direct seed in late winter or fall
Needs support
Long lasting in vase and dries well
Doesn’t like heat and excellent reseeder

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Perennial that can be planted in early spring
Sends up foliage in early April followed by trusses of blue bell-like flowers
Cut at the base of the stem and use to drape over the edge of a container
Disappears when warm weather hits and you can plant annuals it its place

Feverfew (Matricaria)

Direct seed or transplant in fall or early spring
No support needed
Flowers in June, and fades with heat
Long lasting in vase
Cut when flowers are developed and open at the base
Great filler like baby’s breath but better

Yarrow

Annual or perennial
Direct seed or transplant in fall
Flowers in June
Long lasting in vase
Cut at low branching stem when flowers are almost open
Great filler
Varieties suggested: Colorado Mix, Colorado Sunset

Rudbeckia

Direct seed or use transplants in spring
Flowers June until frost
Long lasting in vase of week+
Cut at base just as petals start to open
Suggested Varieties: ‘Indian Summer’, ‘Cherry Brandy’, ‘Cherokee Sunset’

Strawflower

Direct seed or use transplants in early spring
Support netting helpful and will flower June until frost
Long lasting in vase and dries nicely by hanging upside-down in cool dark space
Cut at base as soon as the yellow centers appear; flowers last for weeks in a vase

Nasturtiums (Vining and bush)

Direct seed outside 2 weeks before last frost or in peat pots a month before last frost
Scarify and soak seeds, needs dark to germinate in 7-10 days
Cut low at a branch to remove several stems of flowers
To remove for edible blossoms, cut at base of flowers
Trellis taller varieties

Hot Peppers (Mirasol)

Sow inside 6-8 weeks before last frost
Transplant outside when weather is warm
This pepper turns red very fast and the peppers are held up and outwards, so they make great cuts in arrangements
Cut an entire branch of peppers off and insert in flower arrangements; dries nicely

Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum ‘Tulsi’)

Native to Southeast Asia, this leafy basil is not like the usual culinary basil
Start in early spring indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost and set outside when warm; the warmer the better
This basil grows into a shrubby mound and spikes long racemes of violet flowers; the entire plant is extremely fragrant
Cut branches off the base of the plant for arranging

Sweet Million Cherry Tomato

Start early 6-8 weeks in spring
Set out when warm outside
Train on trellis or cow fence support, tying in branches when needed
Harvest large trusses of tomatoes when just starting to turn red and use in arranging to drape over the container

Sunflowers

Direct seed or use small transplants; watch for rabbits! Lay out prickly holly foliage to deter them
Single stem varieties should be planted every two weeks to have a constant supply
Use support!! These can get tall and heavy. I use large heavy stakes or rebar
Flowers start in June and continue until frost
Cut when the petals start to unfurl from central disk for longest vase life
Suggested single stem varieties: Procut series, Sun-Fill, Sunrich, Sunbright
Suggested branching varieties: Lemonade, Moulin Rouge, Italian White, Strawberry Blonde

Zinnias

Direct seed or transplant after frost
Flowers all summer until frost
Cut when flowers are open and the more cuts made, the more it flowers
Provide support
Long lasting in vase
Suggested varieties: Oklahoma, Queen Lime, Senora and Cactus Flowers, Benary’s Giant

Cosmos

Direct seed or use transplants after frost
Cut often for more blooms
Provide support and pinch when a foot tall
Cut for both foliage and flowers
Cut just as the buds swell at base of plant
Delicate stems can be brittle and fragile; handle with care

Celosia

Direct seed or transplant after frost
Crested and feather types are great cuts
Heat lovers -needs full sun
Cut when heads are fully developed but before seeds form
Long vase life and dries beautifully

Ageratum

Direct seed or transplant after frost
Great filler (tall varieties)
Heat lovers, will flower until frost and can take some cold
Cut at the base where the plant branches
Suggested varieties: Blue Planet, Blue Horizon

Clary Sage (Salvia hormium)

Start seeds inside 8 weeks before last frost
Or plant transplants out 1 week before last frost
Start harvest when at least 8 inches high and cut the flower stalks when at least ¾ of the flowers are open
Dries beautifully and lasts long in a vase

Dahlias

Grown from tubers
Start in warm soil in full sun and don’t water until the plant sprouts
Pinch in July to force branching
Provide support – tomato cages, heavy cattle fence, or rebar
Cut when the flower starts to open
Ball varieties have the longest vase life
Dig up tubers in late fall and store in dark cool space for next spring

Lisianthus

Grow from transplants and set out when danger of frost is over
Needs full sun and support
Pick when the flowers just start to open
Long vase life of a week+

Milkweed or Balloon Plant, aka Hairy Balls (Gymnocarpus physocarpus)

Start 6-8 weeks before last frost date
Set out when warm and pinch the stalk to encourage side shoots
Blooms for a long time in late summer and the large pods start to form soon afterwards
Pick the pods when fully mature (bronzing will appear on the pods)
Sear the ends with a propane torch or lighter to stem the white sap
Long lasting in arrangements and save the seed for next year

Globe Amaranth