The Best Filler Flowers for Cut Flower Bouquets
If you’re growing flowers for bouquets, you might already be dreaming of big, beautiful blooms like dahlias, zinnias, or peonies. But what really makes a bouquet feel lush and complete? Filler flowers! These are the delicate, airy, or textured blooms that help tie everything together, adding depth and movement to an arrangement. Without fillers, bouquets can feel sparse or disjointed, so they are essential for anyone planning to sell or create professional-looking floral designs. Let me help you come up with the best filler flowers to grow for your bouquets!
In this guide, we’ll go over some of the best filler flowers to grow for cut flower bouquets, whether they are annual or perennial, what zones they thrive in, expected harvest times, whether they need succession planting, and whether they are a one-time cut or a cut-and-come-again variety. Additionally, for flowers that successfully reseed themselves, I’ll note if you can expect them to return year after year.
1. Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila)
- Annual or Perennial? Perennial in zones 3-9, but some varieties are grown as annuals.
- Zones: 3-9.
- Expected Harvest Time: 90-120 days from seed, blooms in early to mid-summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? No.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? One-time cut.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
2. Ammi (False Queen Anne’s Lace)
- Annual or Perennial? Hardy annual in most zones.
- Zones: Grown as an annual in zones 2-11.
- Expected Harvest Time: 90-100 days from seed, blooms in early to mid-summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? Yes, every 3-4 weeks for continuous harvest.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? One-time cut.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly if flowers are left to mature.
3. Feverfew
- Annual or Perennial? Short-lived perennial in zones 5-9, grown as an annual elsewhere.
- Zones: 5-9.
- Expected Harvest Time: 90-100 days from seed, blooms from early summer to fall.
- Succession Planting Needed? Not necessary.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? Cut-and-come-again.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
4. Statice
- Annual or Perennial? Annual in most zones, but can be a short-lived perennial in warmer climates.
- Zones: 8-11 as a perennial.
- Expected Harvest Time: 100-120 days from seed, blooms in summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? Not necessary.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? One-time cut.
- Reseeds? No.
5. Yarrow
- Annual or Perennial? Perennial in zones 3-9.
- Zones: 3-9.
- Expected Harvest Time: Blooms in early summer and can continue until fall.
- Succession Planting Needed? No.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? Cut-and-come-again.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
6. Bupleurum
- Annual or Perennial? Annual.
- Zones: 2-11.
- Expected Harvest Time: 60-90 days from seed, blooms in early summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? Yes, every 2-3 weeks for extended harvest.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? One-time cut.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
7. Dill
- Annual or Perennial? Annual.
- Zones: 3-10.
- Expected Harvest Time: 70-90 days from seed, blooms mid-summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? Yes, every 3-4 weeks.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? One-time cut.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
8. Celosia (Plume or Wheat Type)
- Annual or Perennial? Annual in most zones.
- Zones: 2-11.
- Expected Harvest Time: 90-100 days from seed, blooms from summer to frost.
- Succession Planting Needed? Yes, for continuous blooms.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? Cut-and-come-again.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
9. Orlaya (White Lace Flower)
- Annual or Perennial? Annual.
- Zones: 3-9.
- Expected Harvest Time: 75-90 days from seed, blooms in early summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? Yes, every 3-4 weeks.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? One-time cut.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
10. Basil (Cinnamon or Dark Opal for Cut Flowers)
- Annual or Perennial? Annual in most zones.
- Zones: 2-11.
- Expected Harvest Time: 50-75 days from seed, blooms in summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? Yes, every 3-4 weeks.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? Cut-and-come-again.
- Reseeds? No.
11. Queen Anne’s Lace
- Annual or Perennial? Biennial but grown as an annual.
- Zones: 3-9.
- Expected Harvest Time: 90-100 days from seed, blooms in mid to late summer.
- Succession Planting Needed? No.
- One-Time Use or Cut-and-Come-Again? One-time cut.
- Reseeds? Yes, will reseed yearly.
My Final Thoughts
Filler flowers are essential for creating full, balanced bouquets, whether you’re selling them or just enjoying them in your home. By selecting a mix of cut-and-come-again and self-seeding varieties, you can ensure a continuous supply of fillers throughout the growing season. Consider succession planting for annual fillers to extend your harvest window, and let a few of the self-seeding varieties go to seed for effortless regrowth next year. My favorites to use in bouquets from this list are Queen Anne’s Lace and Bupleurum!