One of the most fabulous ways to celebrate the arrival of spring is with fresh cut flowers. I always see bouquets at the market and most times I do pick up a bundle. Sometimes they are prettier than others and much of that is due to being crushed in transport. As many of you are already growing your own vegetables in your backyard, why not try to set aside a small patch and plant flowers specifically designed for cutting and arranging in your home? There’s countless variations on what to plant and when. Here’s a few tips on starting your very own cutting garden and saying bye bye to bundles at the grocery store!
First of all you will want to set aside a patch of land that will be exclusively for growing flowers to be cut. This is very different from what we all have which is flower beds. No-one wants to cut a big chunk or flowers that are supposed to dress up and enrich the curb appeal of your home. Nope, this patch of land needs to be able to grow wildly so that when you get into it you’ll find the arrangement right there amongst the flowering plants.
For our region in Texas you’ll want to plant bulbs and annuals and perennials. That means some will shoot up and make flowers and they they will predictably do so again in the next years. The perennials are your fillers and can change colors year round. The annuals will stay through the colder months green and then they will bloom once a year…although there are a few hybrids that will bloom more than once in a year, just check with your local shrub and flower shop and they can help.
Here’s my top 20 best flowers for starting and maintaining a cutting garden. Sun Flowers, Gladioli’s,Ageratum, Sweet Pea, Daffodil, tulips, allium, Zinnia, Delphinium,Dahlia, Aster,Yarrow,Liatris, Roses, Echinacea, Peony, Salvia, Ranunculus, Coreopsis and Black Eyed Susans! You can find bulbs and seeds right now in our local markets. Remember to pick your colors based on the colors you use in your home so that when your blooms blossom you’ll have a workable palate that will compliment your home brilliantly!
