Annual flowers are great for starting a cutting garden as they are relatively cheap, have a long bloom period, and are quick to grow. (Courtesy photo)
RICHMOND COUNTY — Cutting flowers can be a great addition to your garden and are plants that are grown for the purpose of being cut and brought inside for enjoyment. A cutting garden is a type of planting designed to grow these cut flowers and used in floral arrangements. They can be planted in rows like a vegetable garden, intermixed within landscape plants, in containers, or as bedding plants.
Annual flowers are great for starting a cutting garden as they are relatively cheap, have a long bloom period, and are quick to grow. When selecting what to grow, keep in mind what season you are planning to grow and harvest in. Choose flowers that will all grow and mature in a similar time frame. There are two categories of annual plants; cool season and warm season. In general, cool season flowers can tolerate frost and are best planted in cooler weather and warm season flowers must be grown in frost free conditions and flourish in warm weather. Focusing on either cool season or warm season annuals will help ensure that you are growing flowers that will bloom and therefore be harvested at similar times.
In addition to the season, consider that different flowers play different roles in arrangements. There are five main components that make a visually appealing arrangement; focal, filler, spike, disk, and airy. Focal flowers are meant to grab attention. They are often the largest, most colorful or unique flower. Fillers are great for bulking up a display by filling in spaces between the larger blooms. Spikes provide visual movement and rhythm to an arrangement, guiding the viewer’s eye around. Disks add color, balance, and texture. Finally, airy elements add movement and interest. They are often described as bringing the magic or whimsy. If an arrangement is made up of all focal flowers, then it will lack depth. Likewise, if it is made up of only fillers, it will lack interest. To create balance, choose a variety of flowers with different shapes to fulfill these roles in an arrangement. To create cohesion, stick to a color palette. Keep in mind that not all flowers are good cut flowers. The species and varieties you choose should have long, sturdy stems, and have a good vase life.
Last summer, I grew a warm season annual cut flower demonstration garden. It can be replicated for those interested in growing a cutting garden but unsure where to start. I chose to grow seven species of flowers; amaranth, gomphrena, celosia, cosmos, strawflower, sunflower and zinnia.
– ‘Red Spike’ Amaranth is a deep maroon that could be used either as a spike or a filler. Plant spacing influences stem thickness. For upright and robust stems plant twelve inches apart and for a more delicate look plant six inches apart. This flower can be used both fresh and dried.
– ‘QIS Formula Mix’ Gomphrena is a mix of purple, pinks, and white plants. They can be used for both the filler and airy component of an arrangement. Gomphrena thrives in hot weather and seems to never stop producing. Blooms can either be used fresh or dried.
– The ‘Flamingo Feather’ Celosia is considered a spike. Early in the season it is a pale pink, but later in the season with cooler nights the flowers become hot pink.
– ‘Frizzy White’ Cosmos is a disc and are delicate white flowers that resemble a daisy. They can easily be grown from transplant or seed.
– ‘Purple Red’ Strawflower is another maroon colored flower. Strawflowers are excellent to use fresh or dried.
– ‘Sunrich Orange Summer’ Sunflower is a hybrid that doesn’t produce pollen. This is great for arrangements as it won’t shed pollen and mess up a tablecloth or other surface. Sunflowers tend to have long vase lives making them a great addition.
– ‘Giant Dahlia Mix’ Zinnia is a mix of reds, yellows, purples, and pink zinnias. This mix has large flowers that can be used as a focal or disc in an arrangement. Zinnias are easily grown from both transplants or direct seeded.
Cutting gardens bring vibrant color and value both inside and outside of your home. Any flowers that aren’t cut can be left for pollinators to enjoy. For more information on designing or growing your own cutting garden, or to review notes from the demonstration plot mentioned above, please contact Kinsey Watkins at the Richmond County Extension Office at kinsey_watkins@ncsu.edu or (910) 997-8255.