Virtual Garden Tour: A Cut-Flower Garden

This past summer I had the opportunity to visit the cut-flower garden of Cheri Carlson. Located on a suburban lot in Kansasville, WI, I was impressed with the number of flowers she is able to grow in a relatively small space. A large swath of perennial and annual flowers greet visitors at the entrance to the property and extend to the back. 

She grows most of her annuals in raised beds. This photo was taken at installation a few years ago. 

She extends the cutflower-season with bulbs that bloom in the spring. 

By August, the raised beds look like this (above) . Notice how even the sprinkler adds it's own artful touch to the garden.

I was smitten with the Lisianthus. 

Cheri mulches with straw to help with moisture and weeds. Marigolds detour pests while the red bee balm attracts pollinators. She plants sunflowers to keep the birds busy and away from the nearby raspberry patch. 

Most of Cheri's flowers end up in beautiful bouquets. 

These lisianthus, phlox, zinnias, snapdragons, hosta, and verbena ended up in bouquets for my neice's September wedding. Just breathtaking! I'm inspired to grow my our cut flowers this year. Thanks, Cheri!

- Tracy Hankwitz
​Horticulturist & BGC Store Manager


* some photos compliments of Cheri Carlson