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Want flowers in your home all summer?
Plant a Cutting Garden
Written by Anne Valgoi
Recently, I have been asked about the pretty flowers that are always on display in my home. My friends and family think that I am constantly running to the florist or the grocery store for the latest and greatest blooms; but in fact, they usually come directly from my “cutting garden” in my yard. It’s wonderful to have small vases of lovely cut flowers throughout your house. They add beauty to the rooms and tend to brighten and uplift the atmosphere.
To initiate a cutting garden, consider a location that has plenty of sun, good drainage, and rich soil. Next, determine how large of a bed you would like to plant. Usually, about twenty floral plants will fit into a 3 X 6-foot area. Don’t be afraid to position lots of floral blooms into a small space!
Zinnias are one of my favorite flowers in my cutting garden because they come in varied colors including pink, red, purple, orange, yellow, lavender, white and even green. These annuals are easy to grow and require very little attention. They show from late spring until fall. Be sure to include the following zinnias: Benary’s Giant, Green Envy, Lilliput and Sunbow. Zinnias long strong stems make them ideal for cut flower arrangements.
Purple Coneflower is another favorite summer flower because it is hearty and can tolerate full sun and drought. It does come in a rainbow of shades and most are deer and rabbit resistant.
Hosta plants are a good option to plant in your garden as it offers beautiful greenery to your cut bouquets. The “Loyalist” Hosta leaves have white centers with green edges and offer variation to your arrangements.
Anise Hyssop should also be considered in your yard. These perennials provide structure, texture as well as vertical interest in your floral designs.
Garden Phlox is also a must in my garden. This fragrant flower blooms mostly in the summer and is a lovely vase companion of many flowers.
Bearded Iris blooms in early summer and requires very little work, and comes in a variety of colors including purples, yellows, and lavenders. They are deer and rabbit resistant and are shown in dwarf to tall varieties.
Bee Balm grows best in full sun to part shade but needs moist soil. The colors include lavender, pink, and bright purple and the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds! This floral creates texture in your cut bouquet and is the reason why it looks beautiful with zinnias, garden phlox, and anise hyssop.
Anemone is in the family Ranunculaceae and is native to a temperate climate. This flower takes my breath away with its variety of brilliant colors and depending on the species, can bloom from the earliest days of spring into the fall months. They do enjoy regular watering in well-drained soil and thrive in a balance of sun and shade; nevertheless, the pure beauty of the flowers will be appreciated in your mixed bouquets.
I have just named a few suggestions for your lovely cutting garden blooms and I encourage you to visit your local garden stores to educate yourself in more depth. You will undoubtedly derive great satisfaction walking through your cutting garden and selecting flowers effortlessly to create beautiful arrangements. In addition, remember your friends and neighbors, they also would enjoy a thoughtful, hand-cut bouquet from your exquisite garden. XXO
