Every spring, I eagerly anticipate the time when I can cut fragrant lilac stems from the two bushes that proudly flank my front gate. As I carefully arrange them in a vase indoors, their delicate fragrance fills the air, permeating the entire first floor of my home. The subtle and intoxicating scent from these lilacs surpasses any scented candle or diffuser, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere.
But my love for bringing nature indoors doesn’t end with lilacs alone. In the warm embrace of summer, I delight in displaying the beauty of my hydrangeas and roses too. Their vibrant blossoms demand attention as they elegantly adorn a vase on my dining room table, captivating all who lay eyes upon them.
It is a wonder to me that almost every type of flower can be cut and enjoyed indoors. However, I have come to realize that growing a proper cutting garden requires careful planning and consideration. The first step in this endeavor is to view your flowers not merely as decorative elements, but as a valuable crop that can be harvested and enjoyed.
Just as certain tomato varieties are preferred for their use in creating flavorful sauces, there are flowers that are specifically suited for cutting and arranging. These flowers possess a unique combination of sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms that hold up well in a vase. They have the ability to bring joy, beauty, and a touch of nature’s elegance into our homes.
As I nurture and tend to my cutting garden, I make careful choices about which flowers to include. I consider their qualities, ensuring that they possess the perfect blend of durability and beauty. These selected flowers will not only embellish my indoor spaces but also serve as a constant reminder of the beauty that lies just beyond my doorstep.
With each passing season, I learn more about the art of growing a cutting garden. I discover new varieties and experiment with different combinations, constantly seeking to create captivating floral arrangements that bring nature’s splendor indoors. The act of cutting and arranging these blooms becomes a delightful ritual, a celebration of nature’s bounty that I can enjoy throughout the year.
In the end, growing a cutting garden is not merely a task or a hobby; it is a way of life. It is an opportunity to bring a piece of the ever-changing natural world into our homes, welcoming its beauty and fragrance with open arms. And so, I continue to cultivate and cherish my cutting garden, letting its blooms infuse my living spaces with a touch of magic and wonder.
When choosing flowers for a cutting garden, it’s crucial to consider their stem length and durability. Flowers with short stems or fragile blossoms are not ideal for a second life in a vase, as they won’t last long indoors. To ensure you make the right choices, consult seed catalogs, as they provide extensive information about whether flowers are suitable for cutting and arranging.
Both annuals and perennials can be grown in a cutting garden. Annuals complete their life cycles within a year, producing abundant blooms throughout the season. To ensure a continuous supply of flowers, utilize a technique called “succession planting.” This involves sowing or planting additional seeds or seedlings every two weeks. This way, you’ll have a steady stream of blooms to enjoy.
Perennial plants, on the other hand, return year after year. However, they may not be as prolific as annuals. Some perennials only bloom for a short period of two or three weeks, while others have the ability to rebloom repeatedly. It’s essential to thoroughly read plant descriptions to understand the flowering habits of different perennial varieties.
Keep in mind that while annuals will produce plenty of flowers in their one and only year, perennials grown from seed will typically not bloom until their second year, and sometimes even longer, possibly not until their third year.
For a cutting garden, some annuals that are well-suited include celosia, cosmos, globe amaranth, larkspur, various sunflower varieties, Queen Anne’s lace, annual salvia, and zinnia. These flowers possess the necessary characteristics for cutting and arranging, such as sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms.
By carefully selecting both annuals and perennials for your cutting garden and applying succession planting techniques, you can create a bountiful collection of flowers that will bring beauty and joy indoors throughout the seasons.
In addition to annuals, there is a wide range of perennials that are perfect for growing and cutting in a garden. Astilbe, bee balm, black-eyed Susan, chrysanthemum, coneflower, foxglove, garden phlox, gladiolus, lily, peony, ranunculus, rose, perennial salvia, Shasta daisy, and yarrow are all excellent choices. These perennials offer long-lasting blooms and sturdy stems, making them ideal for cutting and arranging.
There is also a category of plants known as tender perennials. While they technically have a life cycle longer than a year, they are often grown as annuals due to their unreliable returning ability or inability to survive the winter in certain hardiness zones.
Calendula (perennial in zones 9-11), California poppy (perennial in zones 8-10), snapdragon (perennial in zones 7-11), statice (perennial in zones 9-11), and strawflower (perennial in zones 9-11) are tender perennials that can be grown and cut for beautiful arrangements.
Including bulb, tuber, and corm plants like allium, daffodil, tulip, and dahlias in your cutting garden is also worth considering. These plants produce stunning blooms that can be cut for use in arrangements.
Additionally, don’t forget about fillers to complement your cut flowers. Ferns, baby’s breath, bells of Ireland, dusty Miller, flowering tobacco, oregano, pussy willow, silver dollar plant, and interesting twigs and branches can elevate your hand-picked bouquets to a professional level.
Annuals and perennials can be grown in various ways, including in the ground, raised beds, or even containers. If space allows, growing them in separate beds can simplify annual planting. However, if you’re limited on space, don’t hesitate to tuck flowers between vegetables or other garden plants for a mixed planting approach.
With a careful selection of annuals, perennials, bulbs, and fillers, your cutting garden will become a haven of beauty and a source of endless inspiration for creating stunning floral arrangements.
To create an optimal environment for your cutting garden, it’s crucial to provide the right conditions for your flowers to thrive. Most flowers require fertile, well-draining soil, regular watering, and at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
There are a few different methods you can use to establish your garden: purchasing plants from a nursery, starting your own plants from seeds indoors, or directly sowing seeds into the garden.
Before planting, enrich your soil by adding a generous amount of compost into the planting holes. Alternatively, if you’re planning ahead, top the soil with 2-3 inches of compost in the fall, allowing it to break down and create nutrient-rich soil for the spring.
For a manageable and accessible cutting garden, keep the bed width to a maximum of 3 or 4 feet. This ensures that you can easily reach the flowers from all sides of the bed.
When planting, position taller flowers towards the rear of the bed, mid-size plants in the center, and shorter varieties in the front. This arrangement allows for convenient access to all of the plants.
It’s important to follow the spacing recommendations on the seed packet or plant tag to account for the mature sizes of your chosen flowers. Crowded plants are more prone to diseases, so providing adequate spacing is essential for their health and vitality.
After planting, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer and spread 2-3 inches of mulch around the plants. Water the garden thoroughly to ensure the nutrients are absorbed by the roots.
If you are sowing seeds directly into the garden, fertilize and mulch when the seedlings reach a height of 4 inches.
Starting three weeks after planting, incorporate a liquid flower fertilizer into your routine. Choose a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus, such as one labeled 1-34-32. Apply the liquid fertilizer every two weeks to provide the necessary nutrients for robust growth and abundant blooms.
By providing the proper care, nutrients, and appropriate spacing, your cutting garden will flourish, rewarding you with an array of beautiful flowers to enjoy indoors and share with others.