Transforming your backyard into a blooming oasis is a dream for many garden enthusiasts. With the right selection of easy-to-grow cutting garden flowers, you can create a vibrant and colorful space filled with beautiful blooms. In this guide, we will introduce you to ten stunning flowers that thrive in backyard gardens, providing an abundance of fresh flowers for bouquets and arrangements.Â
Here are 10 easy-to-grow flowers that will keep your vases overflowing and your creativity flowing all season long.
Sun-Kissed Delights: Flowers that Thrive in Sunshine
- Zinnias: These cheerful annuals come in a dazzling array of colors, from classic orange and pink to vibrant purple and lime green. Zinnias are known for their long bloom time and easy-going nature. Simply sow seeds directly in the ground after the danger of frost has passed, and watch them flourish in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Cosmos: These airy and delicate blooms add a touch of whimsy to any arrangement. Cosmos are low-maintenance superstars, thriving in hot weather and tolerating poor soil conditions. Available in shades of white, pink, and magenta, cosmos will reward you with continuous blooms throughout the summer if you deadhead them regularly (remove spent flowers).
- Sunflowers: A symbol of summer joy, sunflowers bring a touch of rustic charm to your cutting garden. While some varieties can tower several feet high, there are also compact options perfect for smaller spaces. Sunflowers require full sun and well-draining soil, and their sturdy stems make them ideal for long-lasting vase displays.
Flourishing in the Shade: Flowers for Dappled Delights
- Impatiens: These shade-loving beauties come in a variety of vibrant colors and offer a long bloom time. Impatiens thrive in moist, well-drained soil and prefer indirect sunlight. Their delicate blooms add a touch of elegance to bouquets and centerpieces.
- Begonias: Begonia varieties like the Dragon Wing and Nonstop series are well-suited for shady areas. These prolific bloomers come in an array of colors, from pinks and reds to oranges and yellows. Begonias prefer consistently moist soil and benefit from regular deadheading to encourage continuous flowering.
Beyond Blooms: Adding Texture and Foliage
- Celosia: Commonly known as cockscomb, celosia offers a unique textural element to arrangements. The feathery flower heads, available in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, add a touch of drama and visual interest. Celosia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for sunny or partially shaded locations.
- Ammi Majus: Also known as “bishop’s lace,” this delicate annual adds an airy and ethereal touch to bouquets. The white, lace-like flower clusters provide beautiful contrast to other blooms and foliage. Ammi Majus prefers full sun and well-drained soil and readily self-seeds, ensuring a constant supply of feathery blooms throughout the summer.
- Dusty Miller: While it doesn’t have showy flowers, dusty miller’s silvery-white foliage is invaluable in creating depth and texture in arrangements. This low-maintenance annual thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a valuable filler plant for your cutting garden.
Other Stunning Blooms
9. Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender’s aromatic blooms and soothing fragrance make it a delightful addition to any backyard cutting garden. Here’s why you should consider growing lavender:
- Fragrant Delight:
- Lavender’s fragrant blooms add a sensory element to your backyard, attracting bees and butterflies.
- Harvest the flowers for dried bouquets, sachets, potpourri, or use them in culinary creations.
- Drought Tolerance:
- Lavender is well-suited to hot and dry climates, making it a resilient choice for backyard gardens.
- Provide it with well-drained soil and full sun for optimal growth and aromatic blooms.
10. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are beloved for their enchanting fragrance and delicate blossoms. Consider these reasons to include them in your backyard cutting garden:
- Fragrance and Elegance:
- Sweet peas emit a captivating fragrance, making them ideal for indoor arrangements and garden trellises.
- Choose from a plethora of colors, including pastels, vibrant shades, and stunning bicolor combinations.
- Climbing Beauty:
- Sweet peas are climbers, adding vertical interest to your backyard garden.
- Provide them with trellises or supports to guide their growth and showcase their charming blooms.
Tips for a Thriving Cutting Garden
- Plan your planting: Choose flowers with varying bloom times to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season. Consider incorporating early, mid, and late-season bloomers to extend your cutting garden’s lifespan.
- Deadheading is key: Regularly removing spent flowers encourages continuous blooming. This simple practice keeps your plants looking tidy and directs their energy towards producing new blooms.
- Cut strategically: Harvest flowers when they are just starting to open. This ensures they will have a long vase life and allows the plant to continue producing blooms.
- Enjoy the process: The beauty of a cutting garden lies not just in the final arrangements, but in the joy of nurturing and harvesting your own blooms. Embrace the process, experiment with different flower combinations, and let your creativity bloom alongside your garden.