Texas Gardening – Growing Flowers for Cutting
All Flowers are Beautiful but not all Flowers are Suited for Vases
Sep 18, 2009
Going to the garden and clipping some lovely flowers for an indoor arrangement gives a gardener a feeling of pleasure and a sense of accomplishment. Whether the goal is a small table arrangement to complement dinner or a large bouquet welcoming family and guests, flowers say you care. However, not every flower in a garden will work successfully in a vase indoors. A gardener needs some flower varieties that are specifically bred to be cut.
Growing a Cutting Garden in Texas
Flowers grown for cutting can be placed anyway in a garden. However some people prefer to have a separate area for growing those flowers called a cutting garden. Whichever is chosen, there are a few flower characteristics that make them good candidates for cutting and displaying. Many summer annuals and spring bulbs work well for flower arrangements.
First, a relatively long stem is desirable so that the flower can stand tall in its vase. The flower’s stem should be sturdy enough to hold the flower head upright. A gardener also wants flowers that remain attractive for several days in their vase. Keep the cutting garden well watered and mulch around plants. Add compost to the plant area annually and fertilize twice a year with a slow-release, high nitrogen fertilizer.
Cut flowers for indoor bouquets frequently—morning is best because that is when they are most fragrant. Don’t worry about loss—the cutting actually encourages the plant to produce more flowers. Use a straight cut across the stem where there is a leaf attachment. Remove all remaining leaves as they will take moisture away from the cut flower. Place the cut stem in water immediately after cutting.
A Texas gardener may choose to add a commercial preservative to the water to maintain the flowers longer. According to the University of Minnesota extension office, “A floral preservative is a complex mixture of sucrose (sugar); acidifier, an inhibitor of microorganisms; and a respiratory inhibitor. Sucrose serves as a source of energy to make up for the loss of the functioning leaves and insures continued development and longevity of the flower.”
Some Flowers that Make Wonderful Cut Flower Arrangements
- Yarrow – dark yellow, also can be preserved for dry arrangement
- Iris – delicate but showy in a variety of colors
- Coneflowers – looks a bit like a lavender daisy
- Zinnias – come in many colors including pink, orange and red
- Roses – the king of cut flowers, elegant and fragrant. However antique roses do not tolerate cutting and storing well
- Sunflowers – so exciting, these can be the centerpiece of an arrangement
- Tulips – great in the spring, many vibrant colors
- Chrysanthemums – fall blooms, last a long time in the house, tend to be orange, red, and burgundy although white and yellow are also available
- Hydrangeas are dramatic
Don’t Forget to Put Some Green Foliage in the Flower Arrangement
After the flowers are cut and placed in water, look through the landscape for some green foliage to complement the bouquet. Some shrubs such as ligustrum or juniper work well. Hostas and ornamental grasses are also good. If the vegetable garden has some asparagus ferns or rosemary, either of those makes lovely additions to the arrangement.
In Texas, a gardener may have indoor flower arrangements cut from her garden all most all year. It is worth a bit of extra effort for the pleasure and beauty flowers bring to a home.
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