Summer is one of the most radiant and cherished seasons in the garden, especially for flower growing fanatics. Colors can range from bright, tropical-hot to softer and cooler pastels. Picking a color scheme for your garden and making a few good plant choices initially will guarantee a season-long floral display you'll be ultimately happy with. Start with your favorite flowers, add yummy scents, compliment, contrast, and shape your beds and borders. Depending upon the space available, try to plant as big and as bold of groupings as possible. If you are looking for a colorful summer display, try a traditional, lovely free-flowing blend of three or four colors. Varying the type of plants, foliage texture and flowers, while sticking to your color scheme, will help create a stunning and dramatic effect everyone will appreciate and enjoy.
Many flower lovers grow a large variety of annuals along side the perennials, for fresh cut bouquets all summer. Unlike annuals, perennials start early in the spring and continue blooming into fall, well after most annuals have started to fade and decline. Perennials are a great way to start planning the flower foundation of your garden for seasons to come. Annuals, on the other hand, need to be replaced or reseeded anew each year in most zones. This gives you the perfect opportunity to change or add something new to your favorite annual list each year. Here are my top ten choices for both perennials and annuals in the cut flower garden.
Perennials
- "Purple" Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) One of the very best for attracting butterflies, this showy and easy-to-grow plant adds a flashy touch to the late summer landscape. Grows well in full sun or light shade and blooms heavily from July through September. Will tolerate clay soils. Plants reach 3-4' tall. Hardy to zone 4.
"Amado" Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) The best true white form of coneflower. Beautiful 4" flowers with a center cone tipped with green and gold. Blooms the first season if sown early. Very nice when mixed in garden borders or with plantings of purple coneflowers.
"Paradoxa Yellow" (Echinacea paradoxa) Most Echinacea flowers come from our native prairies, but not this one. This beautiful bright yellow flowering variety comes from the Ozarks. It grows 2-1/2 to 3' tall on strong erect stems and best of all, it's deer resistant. - "Crocosmia" (Crocosmia masoniorum) The flowers are flaming orange to orange scarlet, 1-1/2" across, borne in dense, one-sided clusters on 2-1/2 to 3 foot stems which arch over at the tops. Foliage fans of 2-1/2 foot long sword-shaped leaves resembling gladiolus grow from the base. Delicate yet hardy buds open from base to tip of cluster. Flowers last about two weeks in fresh cut bouquets. Sunset Zones 5-24
- Delphinium (Delphinium elatum) In trials across the US, "Clear Springs Mix" won raves for excellent flower color, well-branched stems, germination strength, and the ability to transplant with minimal stress. The well filled 18-24" long stems make it an obvious choice for cut flower arrangements. This mix contains a range of colors from white through clear blue, lavender and purple. The "Aurora" Series and "Magic Fountain Mix" are also great choices in Delphiniums. Bloom times are late spring through summer. Some plants rebloom in fall. Zones 4-7. "Casa Blanca" hybrid, has pure white flowers and "Clivedon Beauty" hybrid, grows 3' tall with sky blue blooms, both hybrids are hardy to zone 3.
- Strawberry Foxglove (Digitalis x mertonensis) The popular Strawberry Foxglove has fuzzy, broad, lance-shaped leaves. Rosettes of foliage form at the base of the flowering stems and persist over winter. The 2-3" tubular flowers are flushed with pink, rose, or purple on the outside and heavily speckled with dark purple or brown on the inside. Some selections are pure white. Plants flower throughout summer and often rebloom. Zones 3-9
"Excelsior" (Digitalis purpurea) Folklore has it that this was originally called "Folksglove," describing the delicate petals that are the shape of fingertips. Bold, gigantic spikes with bell-shaped flowers in colors ranging from soft red to rosy purple, cream and pink. Foxglove grow best in rich soil. When freshly cut the blooms continue to open and last 7-10 days in bouquets.
"Foxy" & "Camelot Mix" (Digitalis purpurea) Stately flower spikes with 3" blossoms in soft cream, peach, pink, rose, lavender and purple with dark freckles. Excellent for back borders and mass plantings. They both bloom the first year from seed to create a dazzling display. The center spikes are large and full, and side shoots fill out the plant. Zones 3-9, sun to part shade. - Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro), "Platinim Blue" A handsome plant with straight silvery stems on a mound of foliage. Interesting ball-shaped, mid-blue flowering heads. A classic for fresh cut or dried flower arrangements and unmistakable in the perennial border or as specimen plants in any garden. Blooms July-August in full sun with well drained soil. Heat & drought-tolerant. Zones 3-8.
- Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida)(Anemone japonica, A. hupehensis japonica) Japanese anemones produce clouds of flowers on slender stems. The deeply divided, hairy leaves are mostly basal. Stem leaves have fewer dissections. Simple yet elegant, the flowers range from white to pink and rose; single or double blooms. Group with other late-season perennials and ornamental grasses or combine with ferns in morning sun only to partial shade. Flowers bloom in late summer to fall. Zones 5-8.
- "Honorine Jobert" bears pure white single blooms on stems 3-4' tall.
- "Margarete" has deep pink semi-double flowers on 3' stems.
- "Max Vogel" has large pink single flowers on 4' stems.
- "Whirlwind" has white semi-double flowers.
- Wind flower (Anemone sylvestris) "Madonna" A charming and delicate, single white flower balanced above mounded compact foliage. It blooms early and prolifically, from early summer into fall. Plants grow 16-20" tall, morning sun to part shade, Zone 4-9
- Phlox or Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) Garden phlox are a very popular summer-blooming perennial with domed clusters of spicy clove scented, richly colored flowers atop stiff, leafy stems (3-4' tall, 2-4' wide). To keep garden phlox looking their best, deadhead the spent bloom clusters. Some cultivars, like compact, late-summer white "Mt. Fujiyama," may rebloom if cut back to the ground. Dozens of named selections are available. They vary in bloom time, mildew resistance, flower size and cold hardiness.
- "Bright Eyes" has pink blooms and is mildew-resistant.
- "Carolina van den Berg" has purple flowers.
- "David" has large heads of white flowers and is mildew resistant.
- "Dodo Hanbury Forbes" has large clear pink flowers with rose eyes.
- "The King" has red-violet blooms.
Take your pick and pick them all. They are sure to smell and look great in those summer beds all summer long. Zones 3-9. - "Black Eyed Susan" (Rudbeckia hirta) Garden rudbeckias are descendants of wild plants from the eastern United States. All varieties are tough, easy-to-grow plants which thrive in full sun and any soil conditions except soggy. An upright branching habit, with rough, hairy stems and leaves, it can grow 3-4' tall. Wild black-eyed Susan has daisy-like single flowers, 2-4" across, orange yellow rays with black purple centers. A single plant can produce hundreds of blooms over the summer and into the fall. Hardy to Zone 3.
- Shasta Daisy "Crazy Daisy" (Leucanthemum x superbum) A wonderful accent plant for the midground of any bed and border. The quill-like petals of the bloom are feathery white with a golden eye measuring 2 1/2" across. Fully double. Good to go in any cut flower combination. Ht. 24-28 inches.
- Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica) This is one of the earliest bloomers for summer on my top ten, but one of my absolute favorites. The bloom time can be extended if grown in morning sun to afternoon shade. Some cultivars rebloom. Siberian irises produce early summer flowers in a wide range of colors. The flowers are uniquely constructed with three falls surrounding a white or yellow blaze in the center. The foliage forms tight fans of sword-like leaves. At a height of 1-3' tall, they'll fit in nicely just about anywhere in the garden. Heat and cold tolerant, Zones 3-9.
Annuals
- Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) Native to Brazil, but thrives almost anywhere and attracts butterflies like crazy. Very easy to grow from seed, extremely productive, and nice when dried. The clover like pom-pom flowers come in an assortment of colors, ranging from white, pale pink, hot pink to maroon. Half-hardy annual, 24-30" tall.
"Love Lies Bleeding"; "Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Fence"; (Amaranthus caudatus) Tassle Flower, 3-5' high. Flower-spikes are long and slender, often in branched clusters, drooping, all deep red. Varieties have blood red foliage, and green, yellow or red spikes. Also sold as A. dussi, A. elegantissima, A. margaritae, A. superbus. Tassles last for weeks. Tender annual.
"Elephant Head" (Amaranthus gangeticus) Amazing, huge purple-red heads with one long trunk-like appendage that looks like an elephant head. This heirloom reaches 3-5' feet tall. Birds love the late fall shiny black seeds it produces. The plants and seeds are edible, but "WOW," what a statement in a large floral bouquet. Magnificent! - "Chocolate Cosmos" (Cosmos atrosanguineus) These velvety, deep maroon to blackish red flowers have a delicate chocolate scent. Long wiry stems hold the 1 1/2" single blooms above the clump of smooth green pinnate foliage. Grows 12-18" tall.
"Psyche Mix" (Cosmos bipinnatus) These single and semi-double scalloped flowers in shades of pinks and white are one of the most decorative of the cosmos. They are a wonderful backdrop for late summer and fall color. Full and lush plants are covered with 2-3" blooms. Ht. 3'. - Dahlias are in the daisy family. A small but very important genus of tuberous-rooted plants, the source of all the garden dahlias, most from the uplands of Mexico and Guatemala. Although hybrid dahlias are officially classed in 14 different groups based on flower shape, for gardeners its easiest to separate into two types: those of medium to tall long-stemmed blossoms for cutting, and the dwarf types for bedding. Dinner Plate, pom-pom, and spider are just a few of the bloom shapes to choose from, but when it comes to colors, the sky is the limit.
- Marigold (Tagetes ssp.) Marigolds are easy to grow and quick to begin flowering, making them popular as cut flowers and border plants. If dead-headed regularly, they'll keep on blooming all summer 'til frost. It is widely believed that marigold roots can entrap, destroy, or repel nematodes and other garden pests. They range in height from 6" inches to 4' feet tall and come in mostly yellows, pale to gold, orange, brown-maroon, mahogany, red and even white. A wacky and visually fun Scottish heirloom variety is "Mr. Majestic" (Tagetes patula) This flower has a delightful red-mahogany and golden-orange pinwheel striped flower, on a bushy plant, 10-12" inches tall. It will bloom profusely till frost. "Jolly Jester," or "Harlequin," is similar in appearance to "Mr. Majestic" but grows to a height of 24-36" inches tall.
- Nicotiana; "Night-Scented Tobacco" (Nicotiana sylvestris) Often referred to as the Woodland Tobacco, this 5' tall plant has 3-4" hanging trumpet-shaped white blossoms. Flowers open in the evening releasing an extremely sweet, intoxicating fragrance. Tender annual.
"Perfect Mix" (Nicotiana alata) Lots of showy trumpet-shaped 3" flowers in fuchsia, white, purple, salmon, lavender, rust, and bronze colors. Developed at the Institute of Vegetable Breeding and Seed Production west of Moscow. Self-seeding annual, 5-6' tall.
Other worthy mentions: "Only The Lonely," "Tinkerbell," and "Hummingbird Lemon Lime." - Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) Rainbow mix of colors on tall, sturdy plants. Blooms and plants tolerate a light frost. Beautiful as long-lasting cut flowers. European native. Self-seeding hardy annual in the North, perennial in the South,18-20"tall. Grow in full sun to partial sun.
- Straw Flower "King Size" (Helichrysum bracteatum) An Australian native that was introduced to Europe in 1799. Used extensively for large paper flower dried arrangements, but also good as a long lasting cut flower. Cutting promotes bud formation, so cut often. This is a well-balanced mix of eight to ten colors. Grows 30-36" inches tall.
Other choice mixes: "Apricot/Peach Mix," "Salsa Mix," and "Victorian Blush," - Maximillian Sunflower (Helianthus maximillianii) As tough as it is beautiful, Maximillian, blooms from August till frost. Masses of 3" yellow-gold blooms produced along stout, hairy stems. Excellent for back borders. This is the wild species. Ht. 72-96 inches. From seed: 125-140 days to maturity. Sunflowers in general are a great flower for all types of bouquets. It comes in dozens of colors from purple, burgundy, mahogany, chestnut-red, bronze, gold, bright yellow, lemon yellow, bicolor, and even white. They are always a favorite with the birds in fall.
Other cultivars are: "Mammoth," "Velvet Queen," "Tigers Eye," "Starburst Lemon Aura," "Autumn Beauty," "Moulin Rouge," "The Joker," "Torch", "Italian White," "Ring of Fire," and many more.
Downy Sunflower (Helianthus mollis) This robust sunflower spreads slowly by rhizomes. An abundance of butter-yellow flowers are borne on soft, hairy stems. A favorite with many kinds of birds and looks spectacular in a fresh cut arrangement of wild flowers. Plants often grow 6' tall and thrive even on poor, dry soils. It is worth the mention due to its unique way of spreading by rhizome. - Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) Luminous, lilac flowers atop long, airy stems. Each plant has many stems culminating in 2" heads packed with tiny flowers. Enhances any planting, particularly in perennial beds to fill gaps between bloom times. Attracts butterflies. Heat tolerant. Blooms July to frost. Height 36-48" inches.
- Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) Benary's Giant Mix is the variety the professionals grow. One of the oldest German seed companies, Ernst Benary, founded in Erfurt Germany in 1843. Vigorous all-season producers that hold up well in summer rains and heat all over the country. Densely petaled blooms that are up to 6" across. Long-lasting stand outs in bouquets. They grow to an amazing height of 40-50" in full sun. Another new and exciting Benary's color that isn't included in the Giant Mix, is Giant Lime. The flowers are just a tad bit smaller than those in the Giant Mix but what a fantastic lime hue for the cutting garden.
Other choices for cut flowers: "Whirligig," "Peppermint Stick Mix," and "Giant Cactus."
Give each perennial space to fill out and grow, even if that means leaving wide irregular gaps between each plant in the first few years. The gaps or space can be easily filled with annuals, sown in the spring and discarded at first frost. Making sure that your preferred color scheme, and preferred plant choices stand out by placing them next to plants that don't compete, but rather compliment. Mixing these basic elements with carefully chosen flowering plants, shrubs and bushes, climbers and garden accessories will allow you to experiment and produce something more then a cut flower garden. Expand that vision and try incorporating other types of flowering plants that also fit into your cut flower needs. For example:
MORE YUMMY SMELLS
- Dianthus:
- "Cottage Pinks" (Dianthus plumarius)
- "Rainbow Loveliness" (Dianthus hybridus)
- Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
- "Hollandia Mix,"
- "Amazon Neon Series"
- Roses
- "Stargazer Oriental Lily" (Lillium)
- Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
MORE MEDICINALS:
- Lavender
(Lavendula ssp.) - Anise
Hyssop (Agastache foeiculum) - Bee
Balm (Monarda ssp.) - Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium)
BENEFICIAL FLOWERS:
- Bee Balm (Monarda ssp.)
- Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)
- Dill (Anethum graveolens)
- Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
REALLY TALL:
- Hollyhock (Alcea Rosea & Alcea ficifolia)
- Orange Giant Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus)
- Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana)
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
EXTRA GREENERY
- Cardoon (Cynara cadunculus)
- Bronze Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii)
- Ornamental
Grasses
Everyone should create a cut flower garden with plenty of character and style. With the extensive range of plants available, there are enough bulbs, annuals and perennials to stock even the grandest beds and borders with color, fragrance, and interest for a life time. I've only scratched the surface of what's out in this wonderful world of ours just waiting to come home to your garden. Start your plant search close to home at your local nurseries and neighborhood plant sales, mail order seed & plant catalogs are easy and reliable, and never be afraid to admire a friend's garden and ask for some of "this" or "that." To a gardener it is the greatest of compliment.
HAPPY GARDENING!
Reference
Rodale's: The Encyclopedia Of Organic Gardening 1978, Rodale Press
Peterson Field Guides: Eastern/Central North America Medicinal Plants 1990, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston
Rodale's: Perennials 1993, Rodale Press
Sunset: Western Garden Book 1988, Lane Publishing Company
Taylor's Guide: Annuals 1986, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston
Seed Sources
Abundant Life Seeds
P.O. Box 157 Saginaw, Oregon 97472-0157 USA
Call: (541)767-9606, FAX 866-541-7333
www.abundantlifeseeds.com
Johnny's Select Seeds
955 Benton Ave.
Winslow, Maine 04901-2601 USA
Call Toll Free:(207)861-3901, FAX 800-437-4290
www.Johnnyseeds.com
Seed Savers Exchange
3094 North Winn Road
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Order: (563)382-5990, FAX (563)382-5872
www.seedsavers.org
Territorial Seed Company
P.O. box 158
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424-0061
Order: 800-626-0866, FAX 888-657-3131
www.territorialseed.com
Kelly Gately
Kelly Gately was born and raised in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. She is currently residing in Portland, Oregon, with her five year old son. Kelly is a visual artist, avid gardener and loves being a mom. In order to float the boat as a single parent, she owns and operates a small “chemical free” residential cleaning service. She also does color and organic garden design consulting on the side.