Cut flower gardening is a gardening method where you grow your own flowers to use in creatively designed arrangements and bouquets. Join us on today's blog as we discuss different ways to start your cut flower garden, varieties of annuals and perennials to grow, and the benefits of having your own cut flower garden. Let's get growing!
Types of Cut Flower Gardening
There are multiple ways to successfully start a cut flower garden. You can easily plant your flowers in raised beds, you can sow directly in the ground, or for a smaller space, you can even use containers. Let's take a closer look at each of these methods.
Raised Bed
Raised beds are a great way to start a cut flower garden, especially if you want more control over the soil. For any type of cut flower gardening, you want to use rich, well-draining soil. Look for soils that contain a good amount of organic matter. Raised beds are easy to maintain, help keep critters and weeds out, and are a more eye-catching design choice. For a more sustainable option, use recycled materials like driftwood or barnwood to build the beds.
Directly in Ground
This is a good option if you are looking for a low-cost method to start your garden. To ensure success for you seeds or starter plants, make sure you have rich garden soil as previously mentioned. This method is easy to easy to do - just plop your seeds or starter plants in the ground and watch them grow happily. If you use bulbs to start your plants, make sure to follow the directions regarding when to plant them.
Container Planting
This is a more cost-effective method if you have limited space to grow. Choose your container, pick your potting soil, and plant your seeds! Terra cotta pots are a great option for growing cut flowers. For more sustainable container options, you can use recycled containers from around the house. Really anything works as long as it has adequate drainage. Make sure you have well-draining soil with a good mix of organic matter if you use this method.
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Cut Flower Varieties
When planting a cut flower garden for the purpose of arranging your stems into beautiful bouquets, there are four categories of flowers you want to make sure to plant. These categories are focal point, filler, line, and greenery.
Focal Point Flower - this flower is the main focus of your arrangement. You want it to stand out and catch the eye of any admirers.
Filler Flower - filler flowers are used to fill in gaps in your arrangement and add volume.
Line Flower - line flowers are tall flowers that add height and width to your bouquet. They also help the bouquet feel balanced and create a framework.
Greenery - greenery is used to help balance the color of your other flowers and also adds to the framework of your bouquet.
Below are some lists of flowers you can grow in your own Minnesota Cut Flower Garden!
Annuals - annuals are plants that get replanted every growing season. Some annual flower varieties include zinnia, dahlia, snapdragon, cosmos, and coneflowers.
Bulbs - bulbs are plants' "storage structures" that live underground. Some of them, like ranunculus, should be replanted every year. Others, like tulips, will regrow lovely flowers year after year. Some bulb flower varieties include ranunculus, tulips, and daffodils.
Perennials - perennials are plants that grow back year after year. Some perennial flower varieties in Minnesota include peony, lily, coral bells, and coneflower.
MN Native Plants - these are plants that grow natively in the state of Minnesota. Some of these include red columbine, milkweed, yarrow, and false indigo.
Benefits of Cut Flower Gardening
1. Cut flower gardens will draw in your pollinator friends!
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects love cut flower gardens! You can plant cut flower gardens near your vegetables, fruits, and other plants and reap the benefits of the attracted pollinators.
2. Cut flower gardens are an environmentally friendly way to source cut flowers and bouquets
The cut flower industry is filled with imported flowers, harmful chemical treatments, and packaging elements that end up in the landfill. Growing your own cut flower garden can help rather than hurt our pollinators and encourage consumers to purchase organic and naturally grown flowers.
3. Gardens are great for your health
Cut flower gardens can contribute to your daily exercise and movement goals. Gardening is a fantastic way to move your body. It allows you to spend time in the fresh air and find peace and a slowed-down pace from our everyday lives. Plus, think of how much joy you will find in seeing your blooms come to life.
4. Cut flower gardens contribute to a beautiful space, both indoors and outdoors
The blooms of your cut flower garden will provide a wonderful element of beauty to your space. But remember! Cut flower blooms are made to be enjoyed once cut and arranged in a beautiful bouquet. This means that your cut flower garden might not always look beautiful, with bare stems on the loose. I recommend planting your garden either with flowers that will continue to bloom throughout the season or with a variety of flowers that will bloom at various times. This will ensure there is always some blooms to provide beauty in your space.
Cut flower gardening has many benefits and is an easy way to get into gardening. For more information on arranging your cut flowers, sign up for our Cut Flower Arranging Class on June 22nd! We will learn about harvesting and arranging fresh cut flowers and you will get an opportunity to create your own beautiful mason jar arrangement. We will give you tips and tricks to make sure you leave with a creation you are proud of as well as how to keep your arrangement looking fresh as long as possible. Sign up here to get a spot, there's only a few left!
Happy Flower Growing!
Elle
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