How to grow your own plants for cut flowers almost year-round

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The effect of simple cut-flower bouquets in our kitchens and in other living areas of our homes cannot be overstated. Not only do they add huge value to our indoor decors, but they also lift our spirits and give us a sense of well-being.

I applaud our many outdoor flower growers who creatively produce a continuous series of colour almost year-round. From the flower buds of male skimmias in winter to the earliest spring bulbs and perennial plants, like astilbes and peonies, so many flowering plants and shrubs can provide a wealth of colour to enjoy both indoors and out. Last January at the Essen IPM, a horticultural show in Germany, the most significant trend in floral artwork was the use of outdoor twigs, vines and the branches of flowering shrubs.

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When we look at our own landscapes, large or small, why not be a little more creative with our plant choices. Why not grow plants that will beautify not only our outside spaces but will also provide a year-round source of cut flowers which we can bring inside and that we can share with our friends, family and neighbours. Now is a great time to re-evaluate how we are using and enjoying our landscapes and to begin enriching our gardening experience in a more creative and satisfying way, both indoors and out.

If you live in an area rated zone 6 or 7, viburnum Spring Bouquet is a must-have because it is a beautiful sun- or shade-loving broadleaf evergreen which has bronze flower buds that open as beautiful white blossoms in late January or February.  Its blooming stems look stunning combined with early daffodils, such as the narcissus Rijnveld’s Early Sensation. As mentioned, the male skimmia S. Ruebella, as well as S. Rubinetta, have bronze buds that open into lightly perfumed white flowers.

Today, twigs and unique branches are popular. As winter progresses, some very early varieties of pussy willows are in bloom. The pink Salix Mount. Aso, is especially nice. The green, yellow or red stems of contorted willows also look great when combined with flowers. The many new varieties of shrub dogwoods have wonderful winter colour, and their stems are particularly attractive used in winter greens arrangements and in spring flower bouquets. Proven Winners has an Arctic Series with more compact plants, such as the brilliant red of Arctic Fire and the vibrant orangey yellow of Arctic Sun.

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In spring, there are lots of flowering shrubs, like Viburnum Pink Dawn, Corylopsis spicata and a fragrant honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima. Forsythias will also be in bloom, and their colourful branches are becoming quite popular used in arrangements. Forsythias provide incredible spring colour, especially the many very compact cultivars, like Proven Winners Show Off Sugar Baby and the very large flowered Show Off Starlet.

Although bulbs don’t arrive in garden stores until late August, it’s not too early to begin planning our early spring colour. Plan for four to five months of colour by choosing bulb varieties which bloom early, mid-season and late. A few bulbs that are now becoming more popular are the Spanish scillas in colours of pink, white and blue. Late-flowering narcissus, like N. Cheerfulness, N. Yellow Cheerfulness and N. Geranium are all highly perfumed, which is a real treat in any floral arrangement.

Alliums, the last bulb to flower in June, comes in so many varieties today, but choose ones like A. sphaerocepahalon and A.karataviense . They have multiple flower heads, so you won’t ruin the look of your garden display by taking a few to use as cuts. The large headed A. Giganteum and A. Globemaster are great to use as drieds.

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Perennial plants are, perhaps, the greatest and longest source of sequential cut flowers. Most early perennials provide low, ground cover colour, but from late May through October really significant flowering varieties will be available.

Delphiniums are becoming more important as cuts now that floral designs have shifted to garden-themed creations. Early, mid-season and late varieties of astilbes are available, and they can be enjoyed in floral arrangements over a longer period of time. Lilies, both Asiatic and fragrant Oriental varieties, are easy to start as bulbs, and after a few years, they will have grown into substantial clumps that will give you a long period of harvesting. Be sure to pluck out their anthers to prevent staining your clothes or tablecloths.

Besides attracting hummingbirds to your garden, tall, gladiola-like crocosmias have red, orange or yellow blooms that look stunning in flower bouquets. The rich purple and white spikes of liatris also look great in floral arrangements. Both of these can be planted now as perennials or in very early spring as bulbs.

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One of the hot new superstars for cut flowers, the blue, spiky, thistle-like eryngiums make brilliant accents in any bouquet, and their cousins, echinops, have large globe-like seed heads that are also in high demand.

Echinaceas come in a wide range of colours. Both echinaceas and rudbeckias, make great garden and bouquet displays. They bloom over a long period of time for an extended cutting season.

Sedums, some of the most popular late season cutting perennials, are valued for the colourful foliage on their stems and for their beautiful, long lasting flower heads.

Garden grasses, too, provide a nice September show of colour. From the bunny-tail pennisetums to the graceful miscanthus plumes, grasses look great both fresh and dried in winter bouquets.

With a little thoughtful planning, you can upgrade your garden into a year-round cut flower opportunity. For your own enjoyment or to share with others, creative bouquets add so much to your home decor and personal enjoyment.

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