The Cutflower Garden - Annuals

'I must have flowers, always and always' - Claude Monet

Ok, confession time.
If I could have, I would have been a flower farmer. 
Something about growing flowers, cutting flowers, and breathing flowers 24/7 compels and calls. 
Maybe it's in my blood - Tracy means 'harvester' and my maiden name, Bauer, means 'farmer'. 
Why not farm flowers?
I know it's hard work, but the payoff?
Imagine armfuls of beautiful blossoms arranged into gorgeous,  breathtaking bouquets . . . 
Who knows, I'm only 47 -
it could still happen.

Until then, I'll be content to grow a few flowers for cutting in my small garden. Following are annuals that make wonderful cut flowers:

photo sources: pinterest.com, reneesgarden.com, hedgerowroses.com, gardeningknowhow.com, genesisgardens.net

​GROW FROM SEED: Many cutting annuals are easy to grow from seed, like those pictured above. From top left: 'Sundancer' Sunflower is early blooming, multi-branching and vigorous at 4 ft; 'Singing the Blues' Bouquet Larkspur are tall and graceful in the garden and in the vase; 'Fragrant Ten Week Stock' is the best branching variety with double flowers and a spicy-sweet fragrance; Bottom left: Zinnias - an endless selection available and every garden should have some - so easy to grow; 'Moulin Rouge' Sunflowers grow taller (6') but those rich velvety red flowers are pollenless  and a must have for late summer & fall bouquets; 'Peach Passion' Sunflower is another pollen free, multi-branching sunflower standing 3-4'tall in the garden.  And fortunately, we have all of them available in seed packets here at BGC.

IN THE GREENHOUSE:​
Sometimes it's easier to let others start the growing process. I have my eye on the following cutting annuals growing in the greenhouses here at BGC: Salvias 'Faye Chapel' and 'Black and Bloom' are especially nice; snapdragons, Dahlias, Gaura, and Agastache  are a few more among many. 

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OTHER MUST-HAVES:  Dahlias of all kinds, sweet peas, Ranunculus, and Lisianthus. Bulbs planted in the fall make lovely spring bouquets. Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and grape hyacinths top the list. 

A few great resources . . .

THE CUTTING GARDEN

This book by Sarah Raven is a thorough guide to growing and arranging cut flowers. She covers planning a cutting garden - what to grow and how to grow it, tips for success, and how to condition flowers. Also inside are fabulous photos of inspiring arrangements. She concludes with a helpful photo library of flowers for cutting by color and by season.  

SLOW FLOWERS

Well-known author and garden writer, Debra Prinzing,  challenged herself to create a beautiful, locally-grown bouquet for each of 52 weeks of one year. She encourages to go beyond flowers and to consider foliage, branches, seed pods, and more). Her book is filled with design tips and bouquet recipes and will inspire you to think out of the box. 

Visit her website www.debraprinzing.com to listen to her weekly podcast.

FLORETFLOWERS.COM

One of the best resources I have found is Floret Flower Farm. It's located in Skagit Valley, Washington, but their website is a fantastic resource. Erin Benzakein, along with her husband, owns Floret, and has written several blog posts this spring sharing tips from the grower's perspective - what to plant, when to plant it, how to grow the most flowers in a small space, and so much more. Check them out and be prepared to swoon at the photography at www.floretflowers.com.

Happy planning and happy planting!
Tracy Hankwitz
Horticulturist & Store Manager at Burlington Garden Center
and flower farmer wannabe

Watch for Part 2: The Cut Flower Garden - Perennials & Shrubs