If you’re looking for a flower that will last for weeks or months, you’ll want to choose the best plants for cutting flowers. Dahlias, Coneflowers, and Zinnias all make wonderful choices. Dahlias are especially useful as cut flowers because their long, slender blooms fill in gaps in flower arrangements. Coneflowers are another excellent choice for cutting flowers because they are maintenance-free and produce flat clusters of flowers.
Dahlias
If you are a beginner gardener and are looking for the best flower to cut, you should consider growing dahlias. Dahlias are excellent landscape plants, but not all of them make great cutting flowers. To make the most of these lovely flowers, look for specialty growers. Garden centers are a good source of dahlia cuttings. Dahlias have many uses, including wedding bouquets, funerals, centerpieces, and much more.
If you plan to grow a cutting garden for a small to medium-sized space, the first step is choosing the right colors. While you can pick any color you like, choosing colors that mimic the season will make it easier to put together attractive arrangements. The colors of red, orange, and yellow are excellent mimics of late summer and early fall. You can also choose pastels to emulate these colors and combine them with red or yellow flowers for drama. You can also consider adding burgundy and purple to your bouquets to unify cool and warm colors.
Dahlias can be cut at many different stages, depending on what your project calls for. For production work, you want to cut the flowers when they are half-opened, while for weddings, you’ll want to harvest them fully open. To determine the maturity of your dahlias, check their petals on their back. If they are limp, they are about to drop. Otherwise, they will last five to seven days and remain fresh.
Dahlias grow best in full sunlight and well-drained soil. They also look fantastic in containers and on balconies. Make sure to use potting compost, as it is excellent for gardening. Be sure to leave at least 12 inches between your dahlias, as they will grow large and bushy. Remember that the roots will rot at the very first sign of frost if they’re not kept moist.
Tulips
Tulips are perennial flowers that produce a continuous show of blooms. The tulip species varieties are deer resistant and naturalize well in the garden. These types are unusual because they don’t have the typical tulip shape, and they often have green leaves instead of petals. Other varieties of tulips include viridflora tulips, which get their name from their green leaves and flowers. They are also longer lasting than other varieties of tulips.
The best tulips for cutting are perennials. There are a variety of varieties of tulips, but they should all be perennial. Avoid hybridizing with tulips. Many varieties have been bred specifically for the cut flower industry, focusing on big, beautiful blooms with strong stems. They bloom once and then repeat the cycle the following year. However, this will affect the reliability of the blooms.
Tender tulips will last much longer in a vase than blooming tulips. Make sure to buy tulips with green buds to help prolong the duration of their bloom. You can cut tulips diagonally, leaving about one-half-inch of stem, or cut them in half to insert them into a vase. If you cut them too short, they might not last long enough, so make sure to keep them in water.
Another excellent choice for cut flowers are spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils and tulips. Choose your tulips at the earliest stage when they have their first flowers and the buds are already showing color. They will open up within a day or two and remain fresh for a week. When cutting daffodils, don’t mix them with tulips – both species exude a substance that prevents tulips from taking in water.
Coneflowers
If you want the best cut flowers, consider growing your own coneflowers. They prefer average moisture and tolerate heat. They don’t need much water, but they do need some during their first year. After they’ve established their roots, you can give them an inch or two of water each week. Coneflowers can also self-seed with a little care. You can collect the seeds in spring and feed them during that time.
You can choose from a variety of coneflowers, from the smallest daisies to the tallest ‘dream’ plants. When choosing which type to grow, the depth at which to cut it depends on the variety. An established plant can be cut back to about 4 inches, while a young plant can be cut down closer to the ground. Cutting coneflowers is easy; you just need to cut the spent flower a quarter-inch above any new blooms.
The tallest varieties are usually purple and ‘white.’ There are also several varieties that are fast growing. ‘White Swan’ is a tall plant with large white flowers. Coneflowers are native to the central and southeastern U.S. but will grow anywhere from two to four feet. These flowers bloom throughout the summer. They are great in arrangements and make great arrangements. The flowers of these plants are so delicate that you may not even realize they are flowering!
One of the most popular native coneflowers is Echinacea purpurea. With its spiny center and luminous purple petals, Echinacea purpurea was named the perennial plant of the year in 1998. Today, many hybrid varieties have emerged that have stunning colors. The luminous purple blooms of Echinacea purpurea, for example, is the most popular type. Hybridizing Echinacea has also created beautiful combinations of colors, making them the best choice for cutting and dried arrangements.
Zinnias
If you have ever wondered which plants are the best for cutting flowers, you’ve probably heard of zinnias. This plant is perfect for cutting because it blooms throughout the season, so you’ll never be short on beautiful blooms. The first flower on the stem is usually the largest, so be sure to cut it close to the plant’s base. When you cut zinnias, make sure you pinch them. This will encourage the plant to send multiple stems from the cut. This will result in more flowers and a longer stem.
You can find zinnias in a variety of forms and colors, and they come in just about every color except blue. These versatile plants can also come in a variety of flower shapes, including single, double, and even cactus-flowered blooms. Choose a variety that matches the rest of your garden. You can also buy them as plants in mixed containers and pots to create a unique look in your yard.
The ‘Queen’ series is a popular variety of zinnia. It features multiple colors in the petals. Its ‘Queen Lime Orange’ is an All-America Selections winner with pale green petals. If you prefer more pink flowers, you can choose Queen Lime Blush. This variety has a pink center and pink petals. Finally, ‘Queen Red Lime’ is another favorite. It has a rose and peach hues and is two to three feet tall.
While zinnias can be grown in a variety of ways, they are best cultivated for cut flower purposes. The California Giants strain is a perennial favorite of flower gardeners, and makes for a great cut flower. This type produces large blooms that can be up to six inches wide under ideal conditions. Because it is a vigorous plant, California Giants can be planted near the rear of the flower bed. You can purchase mixed color varieties or single colored zinnias for a variety of color.
Gypsophila
When selecting Gypsophila plants for cutting flowers, look for sturdy stems with open florets that are 30 to 50% open. Be careful to avoid brown florets or stems that have dried out and show signs of water stress. Gypsophilas can be cut after flowering to produce a second flush of flowers in late fall or winter. Aside from the stems, check for signs of disease or water stress.
Once you have purchased your Gypsophila plants, you must ensure they are of good quality. Ensure that you thoroughly rinse lower stems and flower ends with tepid water before cutting them. Once the stems are cut, you should place them in a hydrating solution. Be careful not to overwater Gypsophila, as they are easily water stressed. Once the stems are cut, place the plants in sterilized containers filled with lukewarm water.
As a perennial Gypsophila, baby’s breath should be planted in full sun, but afternoon shade is welcomed in hotter zones. The best soil for Gypsophila is well-draining and of neutral to alkaline pH. A rich fertilizer is not necessary, but it is helpful to improve the drainage. The soil should be well-drained and ideally have a pH of between 5.5 and 6.0. The soil should be slightly moist but not too wet, and it’s recommended to add organic fertilizer to the soil to loosen it up a bit.
Gypsophila flowers are popular accents to wedding bouquets, because they symbolize purity and everlasting love. They also work exceptionally well dried. Gypsophila plants will never go out of style and will always lend an air of romantic sophistication to your floral arrangement. You won’t find a floral arrangement that doesn’t include this delicate, white Gypsophila! This plant is a staple in the cut flower industry and will be in style for a very long time!