My Top 10 Favorite Cut Flowers
I was recently asked “If you could only grow 10 types of cut flowers, what would you grow?”
What a fun question! I looked at her and said “Wow, that sounds like a GREAT blog post idea!” ;) So here you go!
On our farm, I grow over 60 varieties of flowers and foliage (probably lots more than that, but who has time to count?!?). It was a real challenge to narrow down my list of favorites to 10.
If you grow cut flowers for arrangements, it’s helpful to know that a bouquet is generally made up of 3 basic parts:
1. Focal: This is your big flashy flower that sets the tone/feel for the whole bouquet.
2. Filler: These are all the other types of flowers that make the majority of the bouquet. They compliment and enhance the focal flower.
3. Foliage: These are the leafy greens that fill out the bouquet and make all the colors pop. I was once told that 1/3 of a cutting garden should be foliage. I thought that was extreme, but turns out I was DEAD WRONG. Don’t forget to grow enough foliage!
*Please note that these are loose categories and some flowers can fit into multiple categories. For example, a large Zinnia would make a great Focal, while small Zinnias are perfect Fillers.
For my Top 10 List, I made sure to choose a few from each category in order to have a well balanced bouquet.
1. Dahlia (Focal)
Dahlias are the flower that started it all at Three Acre Farm. There is no other flower that captivates me quite as much as the dahlia. Yes, they can be a bit temperamental. Yes, they are a TON of work for me to dig up every fall, store all winter and replant each spring.
But when I see their gorgeous blooms, I don’t care about all the work.
Dahlias are not the longest lasting flowers, averaging 3-5 days… but those 3-5 days are GLORIOUS.
Favorite Varieties: ”Jowey Winnie”, “Lovely Lana”, “Rosemary Webb”, “Prince Noir”, “Nicholas”, “ Alpen Diamond”, “Ferncliff Copper”, “Linda’s Baby”, “Woodland’s Wildthing”, “Bracken Sara”, “Bracken Rose”
2. Sunflower (Focal)
There is nothing quite as bright and cheery as a sunflower! They are easy to grow and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
Sunflowers fall into 2 categories: Single Stem or Branching. Single Stems produce one flowers per plant and can be planted close together (about 6” apart). Branching sunflowers produce multiple stems and should be planted about 18” apart.
Favorite Single Stem: “ProCut Gold Lite”, “Sunrich Summer Provence”
Favorite Branching: “Starburst Panache”, “Starburst Lemon Aura”, “Cherry Rose”, “Autumn Beauty”
3. Zinnia (Focal or Filler)
Ok, I must be honest. Zinnias are NOT actually one of my favorite flowers, so I almost didn’t add them. Not sure why… I think I’m just ruined by the dahlias and the zinnias simply can’t compete. Ha!
However, they are so versatile and easy to grow, it seems like a shame to leave them off the list. I’m well aware that most people simply adore Zinnias!
Large Zinnias are an excellent Focal flower (like “Uproar Rose” or “Benary’s Giant”), while smaller ones are perfect as Filler (like the “Oklahoma” series, “Jazzy Mix” and “Sunbow Mix”)
Favorite Varieties: “Uproar Rose”, “Queen Series”, “Oklahoma Salmon”, “Oklahoma Carmine Rose”, “Benary’s Giant Series”
4. Snapdragon (Filler)
These flowers are so underappreciated! I always wonder if it’s because they are “spike” shaped instead of round/disk, like so many other flowers. The spike shape add visual interest and height to bouquets.
Here in my garden, they bring me endless delight and I adore them. They make every bouquet pop and their sweet scent is lovely.
Favorite Variety: Any of the “Madame Butterfly” series, but especially “Bronze with White”, “Rocket Bronze”, “Rocket Rose Shades”
5. Ammi/Queen Anne’s Lace/Dara (Filler)
While it’s totally fine to use the wild Queen Anne’s Lace that grows as a ditch weed around here (a gorgeous ditch weed, I must add! And did you know it’s actually a wild carrot?!?), there are similar types of flowers that have been grown specifically for cut flower use.
Ammi makes every bouquet look lush, full and romantic. I feel lost without it!
Dara or Daucus (or Chocolate Lace Flower) is unique version of Queen Anne’s Lace that comes in shades of wine, deep pink, pale pink and white. It’s stunning!
Favorite Varieties: Ammi “Select White”, Ammi “Green Mist”, Daucus “Dara”
6.Cosmos (Filler)
Dreamy. Swoon worthy. Magical.
Cosmos are all of those and more… and they are easy to grow and produce like crazy. I’m in love. Grow some. You'll be in love too.
Flowers last longer if they are harvested before the bees pollinate them, so harvest them just as the buds are about to open up.
Favorite Varieties: “Double Click” Series (all the colors are beautiful!), “Versailles”, “Tip Top Picotee”, “Afternoon White”
7. Feverfew (Filler)
These cheery little button flowers are one of the best Fillers out there. Bouquet looking a little drab? Add a stem of Feverfew. Boom. Instant fabulousness (is that a word?).
In some climates, Feverfew will act like a perennial and come back each year. Whoo hoo!
Favorite Varieties: “Magic Single”, “Magic Yellow”
8. Statice (Filler)
“The 90’s called and they want their Statice back.” ;)
Ok, bear with me. Statice reminds me of those stuffy dried flower arrangements you used to see in the late 80’s/early 90’s. When I first grew it, I thought it was horribly out of style and worthless.
And then I found a pack of “Apricot” Statice seeds… and I fell in love. It fills out a bouquet so nicely… and bonus! It’s an “Everlasting” flowers (read more about them HERE), which means it pretty much lasts forever if you dry it.
A few stems of Statice in each bouquet and you’re on the right track! It has a nice structure that supports other flowers and allows them to shine.
Favorite Varieties: “QIS Apricot”, “Seeker Rose Shades”, “Seeker White”,
9. Buplureum (Foliage)
I’ve been growing this flower/foliage for years now and still don’t know exactly how to say it. Ha!
Boo-plur-um? Bup-ler-um? Who knows… I wish someone would come up with a better name…
Anyway… this plant is incredibly unique and makes a FANTASTIC filler. When I’m making bouquets, I always reach for this first, as it creates a great structure/base to weave all the other flowers into.
I love the bright lime green leaves and cheery little yellow flowers but the plants even look beautiful as they start to fade and turn brown. Buplureum is self-seeding, meaning it will drop it’s seeds and keep coming back each year if you allow it (leaving the soil untilled).
10. Scented Geranium
Last, but certainly NOT least… Scented Geranium is probably the most useful plant I grow on the farm. When it’s in season, pretty much every bouquet I make has Scented Geranium in it. ;)
Most cut flowers have no scent, which is a real bummer. We all want our fresh flowers to smell beautiful and floral… and Scented Geranium is how we achieve this on our farm It’s intoxicating scent is perfect!
There are many different varieties of Scented Geranium, including the most well known variety called “Citronella” (which I probably would NOT recommend using, unless you like bouquets that smell like bug spray!).
The thick leaves transform a bouquet from ho-hum to stunning. Scented Geranium is my “Go-To” foliage.
Scented Geranium is not grown from seed. Instead, it’s divided/propagated by making cuttings. The best way to get your hands on Scented Geranium is to purchase a plant at a garden center.
The stems will wilt if cut in the heat of the day, so be sure to harvest very early in the morning, or late in the day.
Favorite Varieties: “Attar of Rose”, “Sweet Mimosa”, “Orange Fizz”, “Apricot”
Not convinced? Here’s what it looks like in bouquets…
There you have it! My Top 10 Cut Flowers… although I’m sure this list will change over time!
Now I’d like to know… what are YOUR top 10 favorite cut flowers??? Or maybe just your top 5. ;)
Can’t wait to hear them!
Ready for more?
If you’re serious about growing the garden of your dreams this year, register for my online course, “Backyard Cutting Garden 101”. You’ll find everything you need to plan, grow, harvest and arrange your stunning blooms. I can’t WAIT to help you grow! Click on the button below for all the details.