Ever since I discovered that cut flower gardening is a thing, I have been working towards designing my dream cut flower garden. There is something incredibly exciting about being able to grow beautiful blooms for cutting. My long-term goal is to sell some of these flowers, but for now, it’s just a hobby. Last year was my first season of cut flowers here on our little farm, and I have gotten a good idea of what works and what doesn’t work in my area.
This blog post is all about the cut flowers I will be growing in my garden this year. They’re all annuals that are very beginner-friendly.
The mistake I made in my first year of cut flower gardening
Last year, I made the mistake a lot of beginner gardeners make when they’re first starting out. I planted too many seeds. I was waaay too optimistic. But hey, it’s just so tempting to buy all the pretty seeds when you’re browsing online. I made this big garden plan including 15 varieties of cut flowers. Let’s just say I was always behind on my tasks. With two toddlers running around my feet and me recovering from burnout, I didn’t get around to giving my plants the care they needed.
It’s so easy to get carried away when purchasing seeds and planning a garden. The thing is: I love flowers! And I am starting to love gardening. However, I do not enjoy being overwhelmed. My garden last year became stressful for me because there were too many tasks for me to handle. For this reason, it ended up somewhat neglected and overgrown with weeds.
Even though last year’s garden was kind of a failed project, I still learned a lot from the experience. And it did reward me with some stunning blooms! This year I have decided to take a step back and go back to basics. I am only going to plant a few cut flower species. Flowers that I truly love, and flowers that I know will succeed in my climate (zone H1 in Norway = cool to mild summers with quite a lot of rain). I am excited to have a manageable garden this year.
The cut flowers I am growing this year
1. Cosmos
Cosmos are one of my favorite cut flowers. They are super easy to grow, and they have a delicate, airy look to them. I have had cosmos varieties in pink and white and they were both just as stunning. If you like the cottage garden style, this is definitely the flower for you.
The best thing about cosmos is that they are a cut-and-come-again flower. This means that the more they are cut, the more blooms they will produce. Isn’t that amazing? You can keep cutting flowers from the same plant throughout the summer. Growing cosmos is such a rewarding process.
How to grow cosmos:
To grow cosmos, plant the seeds in well-draining soil after the last frost. Choose a sunny location. Water regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Cosmos thrive in average soil and don’t require much fertilization. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Be sure to give them some kind of support so they don’t fall over during rainy or windy weather. They get quite tall! Enjoy the colorful blooms that attract pollinators throughout the growing season.
2. Snapdragons
I had great success with Snapdragons last year. They seem to do really well in our somewhat cool and wet summers. Snapdragon seeds are tiny and they prefer to be sown directly in the ground. There are lots of varieties to choose from and they come in a TON of different colors. In bouquets, they add vertical height and interest. If you’re just starting out growing cut flowers, snapdragons are an absolute must.
How to grow snapdragons:
To grow snapdragons for a cut flower garden, sow seeds in well-drained soil after the last frost. Choose a sunny location. Keep the soil consistently moist. As they grow, provide support for tall varieties. Harvest flowers when the lowest blooms begin to open fully. Cut stems at an angle and place them in water immediately for a longer vase life. Enjoy the vibrant colors and charming snapdragon blooms in your arrangements!
3. Strawflowers
I was so impressed with Strawflowers last year. This is such an interesting cut flower because of the texture of the blooms. When touching the flower head, it feels like paper. Strawflowers are ideal for making dried flower arrangements. Simply hang them in a dark and well-ventilated room for two weeks, and they are ready to be used in decorations. They come in tons of different colors and are easy to grow.
How to grow strawflowers:
To grow strawflowers for a cut flower garden, sow seeds directly in well-draining soil after the last frost. Choose a sunny location. Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Harvest flowers when they are fully open but before they start to fade. Hang them upside down to dry for everlasting arrangements. Enjoy the cheerful colors and papery texture of strawflowers in your bouquets!
4. Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia! Such a charming little flower. I just love how cheerful these look. The most common varieties are yellow, but there are also red, burgundy, and purple shades. My favorite is the Sahara variety.
Rudbeckias are perennials so they will reappear year after year.
How to grow rudbeckia
To grow rudbeckia for a cut flower garden, sow seeds or plant seedlings in well-draining soil after the last frost. Choose a sunny location. Water regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering. Harvest flowers when they are fully open but before they start to fade. Enjoy the vibrant colors and daisy-like blooms of rudbeckia in your arrangements!
5. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are classic, easy-to-grow cut flowers that add joy to the garden and bouquets. I had great success with the ProCut varieties intended for cutting. The great thing about this variety is that it doesn’t shed pollen or seeds like many other varieties. Sunflowers don’t just come in the traditional yellow. There are also white, orange, and even red varieties available. My favorite is the ProCut White Nite.
How to grow sunflowers:
To grow sunflowers for a cut flower garden, sow seeds directly into well-drained soil after the last frost. Choose a sunny location. Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Provide support for taller varieties. Harvest flowers as soon as the petals start to lift from the center disc. Cut stems at an angle and place them in water immediately for a longer vase life. Enjoy the sunny blooms and cheerful atmosphere sunflowers bring to your arrangements!
Cut Flower Garden Resources
If you’re just starting out your cut flower garden journey, I would highly recommend checking out Floret Flower Farm’s resources. Erin Benzakein runs a flower farm in Washington. She has written multiple books on the topic, and she also runs cut flower farming courses. Floret Flower Farm has been a huge inspiration to me. Check out their website here.
Conclusion
This blog post has been all about flowers that are easy to grow when you’re just starting out a cut flower garden.
My beginner-friendly and simple cut flower garden this year is going to include tried and true cut flowers that I love. Cosmos, sunflowers, strawflowers, rudbeckia, and snapdragons will all have a place in this year’s garden. These cut flower garden flowers are easy to grow and they are excellent for making bouquets.
Looking for more gardening inspiration? Check out my other blog posts on the topic here.