Designing a Cut Flower Garden

Growing flowers for your home is magical. With a little planning, a productive cut flower border is easily achievable.

Planting Plan for a White Cut Flower Border

Location & Layout:

Have you an area in mind for yoyr cut flower garden? Most cut flowers thrive in full sun (6-8 hours daily). Sunlight creates stronger stems and so more blooms. Remember that the aim is to cut the flowers so maybe use a border to the back of the garden where the aesthetic isn't so important. Be as creative as you like; and grow colour you enjoy!

Cut Flower Gardening Tips:

The goal of cut flower gardening is to grow long stems, with lots of blooms and a good vase life. Pollinators help flowers produce better blooms. You can attract them by avoiding pesticide. A pollinator friendly garden is healthier and more productive.

Pollinator-Friendly Plants:

Lavender

Cosmos

Sunflowers

Echinacea

Borage

Plan your Border:

Sowing in succession will provide flowers over longer periods of time. Plant in rows or groups (drifts). Consider your filler plants, these add texture to arrangements.

• Back of Border: Tall flowers 120-180cm

• Middle: Medium plants 60-120cm

• Front: Short flowers 30-60cm.

Best Fillers:

Ammi majus

Dill

Eucalyptus

Herbs

The Flower Field in full bloom late August 2022, Rushton, Cheshire

Harvesting Flowers Guide

• Cutting time: Cut when the sun is low, either early morning or late evening.

• Clean stems: Strip the leaves off the stems to stop bacteria forming in the water.

• Condition: Flowers need to be left in water, in a cool, dark place (garage is ideal) for 24 hours. Then you can arrange to your heart's content.

• Enjoy: Wrap in paper & gift to friends or pop in your favourite vase and enjoy your harvest!