What to Grow in a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners
Flower gardening is one my my favorite hobbies and I find it so much more rewarding than growing vegetables. Flowers provide both beauty and functionality as well as an activity you can enjoy with your whole family. For those just starting out, a cut flower garden offers the perfect way to experience the joys of growing while also having fresh flowers to brighten up your home or share with loved ones (Lets not forget you can sell your flowers too!). Let me help you create a flower garden that doesn’t have to be overwhelming; I’ll walk you through planning and knowledge on each variety so you can grow a vibrant collection of flowers that will bloom all season long. Plus don’t forget half the fun is experimenting and learning every year!
In this blog I will walk you through what to grow in a cut flower garden for beginners. From easy-to-grow flowers to tips on maintaining a cut flower patch, you’ll be able to enjoy the rewards of your efforts in no time.
Why Start a Cut Flower Garden?
Before diving into the specifics of what to grow, let’s talk about why starting a cut flower garden is such a great idea for beginners, aside from the fact that flowers are gorgeous. Here are a few reasons:
- Easy to Grow: Many cut flowers are incredibly beginner-friendly and require minimal care.
- Cuts for Bouquets: Growing your own cut flowers allows you to create stunning bouquets for your home, friends, or family. Have you ever thought about starting a farm stand or a flower subscription like me? Even if you don’t know how to design a bouquet, a single flower in a small vase is still stunning!
- Color and Texture: Flowers add vibrant colors and delightful textures to your garden.
- Almost Year-Round Beauty: With careful selection of varieties, you can have flowers blooming from spring through to fall.
- Supports the Beneficial Insects: Bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and praying mantis love flowers! All of these insects help pollinate your vegetables as they move about your garden as well as deter or eat harmful bugs.
Now that you understand the appeal of a cut flower garden, let’s take a look at some of the best flowers for beginners.
Best Flowers to Grow in a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are one of the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow for beginners. These bold, sunny blooms add a cheerful touch to any bouquet. They are fast-growing and thrive in full sun with minimal maintenance. Sunflowers are also great for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Mine have self seeded for years now too! I have sunflowers popping up all over my garden throughout the entire season.
- The new varieties I am growing this year are “Strawberry Blonde” (multicolored petals with pink tone), “Florenza” (bi-colored), “Gold Coin” (Fluffy feathery petals).
- Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Water consistently, especially during dry spells.
- Extended Season: Start seeds 4 weeks before your last frost and continue to plant more seeds directly into the garden every few weeks. This will drastically extend their growing season.
Zinnias
Zinnias are another beginner favorite and one of my personal favorites. They are available in a wide range of colors, sizes and textures, from vibrant pinks and reds to soft pastels. Zinnias are heat-tolerant and bloom profusely throughout the summer, making them an ideal addition to a cut flower garden. They are also said to be deer resistant; I will be experimenting with that this year for you!
- New Varieties I am trying this year are: “Mazurkia”, “Under the Sea”, and “Scabiosa”.
- Care Tips: Zinnias prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Regular deadheading will encourage more blooms.
Cosmos
Cosmos flowers are simple yet stunning with their airy foliage and delicate, daisy-like blooms. They’re a great choice for beginners because they’re low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of soil types. Plus, they attract butterflies, making them a wonderful addition to any garden. My first year of growing cosmos I threw a bunch of seeds out and didn’t do anything else except water, that is how easy they can be!
- Varieties to Consider: “Double Dutch Rose” (double blossom flowers), “Cosmic Yellow” (vibrant yellow blooms). Both of these I am trying out this year!
- Care Tips: Cosmos thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant once established. They don’t require fertilizing and will do well in average soil. They do take a bit longer to bloom that some flowers so don’t be discouraged if you aren’t seeing your first blooms until later in the summer.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are well-loved for their tall, spiky flowers that come in a variety of colors. Their long stems make them excellent for cutting and adding height to bouquets. Snapdragons thrive in cooler weather, making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. They also wonderful at self-sowing! I have tons of snapdragons come back every year from reseeding themselves.
- Varieties to Consider: “Rocket” (tall spikes), “Madame Butterfly” (double flowers), “Tuscany” (unique colors).
- Care Tips: Snapdragons prefer cooler temperatures and well-drained soil. Be sure to stake taller varieties to prevent them from falling over. I have great success with my snapdragons reseeding themselves too.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are well known for their sweet fragrant, delicate blooms in a variety of colors. They are climbers, so they work well on trellises or fences. Sweet peas grow well in cooler climates, and with proper care, they will produce a steady stream of flowers during the spring and early summer perfect for cutting.
- Varieties I am trying: “Mammoth Mix” (Larger blooms that generally are better for cutting), “Perennial Mix”.
- Care Tips: Sweet peas need well-drained soil. Make sure they’re watered regularly, but avoid over-watering. Pinch off the first flowers to encourage stronger growth. They generally will die off when temps get too hot in the summer.
Lavender
Lavender adds a fragrant and rustic touch to your cut flower garden. In addition to its pleasant scent, many varieties produces long, slender stems with purple, pink, or white flowers. Lavender can be used in dried arrangements, teas, herbal remedies and makes for a lovely addition to bouquets.
- Varieties to Consider: “English Lavender” (classic purple blooms), “Munstead” (compact variety). Watch your seed packs, some are not perennial in Zone 6B such as Spike – AKA Portuguese Lavender.
- Care Tips: Lavender prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and full sun. Avoid excessive watering, as it’s drought-tolerant once established.
Peonies
Peonies are beloved for their large, fragrant blooms that add elegance and beauty to any bouquet. Though they take time to establish, peonies are a worthy investment and will produce spectacular flowers year after year.
- Varieties to Consider: “Sarah Bernhardt” (pink, fragrant blooms), “Festiva Maxima” (white with red markings).
- Care Tips: Peonies need well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They should be planted in early fall or spring and enjoy full sun. They are long-lived and will require little maintenance once established. The plants tend to get larger every year and produce more blooms.
Tips for Success in Your Cut Flower Garden
- Plan Your Garden Layout: Consider the height, color, and growth habits of your chosen flowers. Tall flowers like sunflowers and dahlias should be planted in the back, with shorter flowers like zinnias and marigolds in the front.
- Soil and Watering: Well-drained soil is essential for most cut flowers. Make sure to water regularly, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth and blooms. Some flowers may need a boost in nutrients, especially during peak blooming periods.
- Deadheading and Pruning: Remove dead flowers to encourage new growth and keep your garden looking tidy. Prune stems and leaves as needed. Deadheading isn’t necessary if you are cutting and bringing flowers inside to enjoy! Additionally, if you want to try and have some flowers like snapdragons reseed themselves you will want to leave some of the dead blooms on the plant.
- Harvesting: Cut flowers early in the morning when they are at their freshest. Be sure to leave some flowers behind to continue blooming throughout the season.
My Final Thoughts
Starting a cut flower garden is an incredibly rewarding experience for beginners as well as experienced gardeners. I think it can be so relaxing to enjoy your blooms everyday whether or not you cut them or keep them in the garden to enjoy. With the right selection of easy-to-grow flowers like sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos, you can create a beautiful and productive garden that will provide you with fresh blooms all season long to keep or sell. This list of flowers should also give you confidence to experiment even more types of flowers next year! By following the tips outlined in this blog, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your very own cut flower garden in no time. Don’t forget to drop me a comment if you have any questions or have any favorite varieties you also love!