Cut Flower Gardens: Growing Great Plants for Cutting

There is something so pleasing about a vase full of beautiful cut flowers. We are drawn to them by an almost magnetic force. First we touch, and then we smell. The gentle beauty of flowers reminds us of love in bloom, loves lost, a romantic interlude. Flowers evoke many memories and emotions, which is why I believe we love them so. The smell of roses or irises may conjure up an image of your grandmother, or a hand in hand stroll with some forbidden love, for whatever reasons we love flowers and love to bring them into our homes. The key to great floral arrangements is having access to flowers that lend themselves to cutting and arranging. You can have a great cutting garden on just a small plot of land or in some nice raised beds if space is limited.

To enjoy your cutting garden it is best to locate it, and plant it with cutting in mind. Better that it be in a little space of its own, so that you will be willing to cut from it. If you make it a focal point you will feel some hesitation about cutting as it may detract from the beauty of the bed. So set out to plant it in orderly rows with cutting of particular plants in mind. Most of your cut flower plantings will require a sunny spot with rich loamy soil. Space your rows so that you can easily till, and walk between them without damaging your plants. Your selection of plants will include those that produce beautiful lasting blooms and foliage for filler in your arrangements. Choose plants that will bloom at different times during the growing season so you will have a continuous supply, spring, summer, and fall. In order for flowers to bloom profusely you will need to fertilize your plants, or amend with soil additives such as granular fertilizers, or spray on type fertilizers that mix with water you apply with a hose.