The cutting garden
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The cutting garden *
I hate cutting flowers from my main garden beds. Every snip feels like I’m stealing from the display. That’s why I’m creating a dedicated cutting garden - a space designed purely for filling vases without the guilt. Not everyone has the room for a separate patch though, so if space is tight, you can still enjoy fresh bouquets by interspersing the best cutting flowers among your borders and beds.
The best flowers for the vase
SWEET PEAS - beautifully scented, romantic blooms that look lovely in a vase. They flower from late spring to early summer. Propagation is by seed in autumn or early spring, and they need cool weather to germinate.
COSMOS - airy, daisy-like flowers that add lightness and movement. They bloom from summer through to autumn, until frosts start. Propagation is best by sowing seed direct in spring. They're quick germinators.
LISIANTHUS - elegant, rose-like flowers, with a very long vase life. They're a florist favourite, blooming from summer into early autumn. Propagation is usually by purchasing seedlings as they're very slow from seed.
RANUNCULUS - I've added these to the list because they're beautiful flowers and last a long time in the vase. But frankly they're temperamental to grow. They're most successful if pre-sprouted before planting into well-drained soil. I have grown them, and they are beautiful, but they don't love my clay soil, so I've not persisted with them. They're on the list because they're so lovely, so if you have the right, free-draining soil, they might be well worth a go. They flower from mid to late spring.
ECHINACEA (Coneflowers) - bold centres with daisy-like petals. They have rustic charm and nice long stems. They bloom from summer through autumn. Propagation is by division in spring or autumn. You can grow from seed, but it takes a while.
ROSES - a classic cut flower, with unmatched fragrance and colour variety. Many varieties are repeat bloomers, blooming from spring through to autumn, and have perfect long stems suitable for floral arrangements. Propagation is best by grafted plants from nurseries, but can be propagated by hardwood cuttings, although this is the slower option.
CHRYSANTHEMUMS - an essential late-season cut flower in a huge variety of forms. Some are simply stunning, and they have a long vase life. They bloom from late summer to late autumn. Propagation is by division or cuttings in spring.
GLADIOLUS - tall, dramatic spikes that add vertical interest to arrangements. The pictured variety is Gladiolus Nanus "The Bride" variety which are slightly different, and I think, far more beautiful, than the blooms we more typically associate with the name. Propagation is by corms planted in succession every few weeks in spring if you want staggered blooms. Mine are permanently in the ground, so I get one flush of blooms in late spring.
AMARANTHUS - dramatic, trailing or upright plumes, these are fantastic for adding texture and have a range of colours with either burgundy/burnt orange or green foliage. They bloom from mid-summer to autumn. Propagation is best by direct-sowing after the last frost. You can start them indoors for transplanting too. The pictured variety is 'Crimson Fingers', and it self-sows readily every year in my garden. I just dig up any that are in the wrong spot and plant them en masse so they create a beautiful garden display. They're excellent for the vase, but also as a means of adding colour and texture contrast to any flower garden.
LILIES - tall, elegant stems with multiple large blooms per stem. They're a florist staple. They bring height and fragrance (Oriental varieties) to bouquets and have an excellent vase life when harvested at bud stage. They bloom from early summer through to late summer depending on the type. They're propagated most commonly from bulbs planted in autumn or early winter. Clumps can be divided every few years once established. One BIG note of caution - every part of the lily plant is poisonous to cats. The most likely way they'd ingest lily is from the pollen brushing onto their fur, which they then lick off. I've had cats and lilies side by side for decades and never had a problem, but I don't use them as cut flowers in a vase. That's when cats are more likely to brush up against them. I put them on the list because they are a beautiful cut flower. Whether you use them or not may depend on your tolerance for risk if you also have cats.
DAHLIAS - there's an incredible range of shapes and sizes. They're prolific bloomers and have a superb vase life. They'll flower from mid-summer through to the first frosts. Propagation is by tubers that you can divide in late autumn or spring, but can also be grown from cuttings or seed.
BEARDED IRIS - sculptural spring flowers with intense colours. They're striking in floral arrangements, blooming from mid to late spring. Division of rhizomes in late summer is the best way to propagate them. They're easy to grow and are drought-tolerant once established. Make sure you plant them with the tops of the rhizomes sitting above the soil, so they don't rot. They love to bake in the sun.
PEONIES - my favourite by far! Luxurious, lush blooms in spring. Even the buds look amazing in a vase. They have a long vase life too. They bloom from mid to late spring - it's a short, but spectacular season. Propagation is by division of clumps in autumn but be aware that they don't really like to be moved and can sulk for a year or three. Some varieties establish faster than others. Festiva Maxima is my fastest for reestablishing, but I don't move them unless I absolutely have to. A stunning flower that I think is only rivalled by the arrival of Cafe au Lait dahlia in summer. That's the only time my allegiance to peonies is tested.
ZINNIAS - Bold, bright, or dusky salmon/beige, heat-loving flowers with strong stems. These are great for summer bouquets. They bloom from midsummer to autumn. Propagation is by seed, which is best sown direct in late spring after frosts. You can raise from seed indoors for transplanting and they'll do OK, but direct sown is best for this beautiful flower.
SUNFLOWERS - Cheerful, bold blooms that make instant impact. Branching types give multiple stems. You can get the usual bright yellow varieties but also cream and burgundy too. Propagation is best by direct sown seed in spring. They're fast growers.