Cut Flower Garden: The Absolute Best Flowers to Grow For Beautiful Displays

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Bring the outdoors in! Grow a cut flower garden and enjoy your blooms in vases throughout your home. With this list of the best cut flowers to grow, you can delight in floral beauty for the entire growing season!

A beautiful flower garden is an oasis – it’s a place you can go to find serenity in the midst of chaos. It’s also a place to enjoy nature’s beauty at its finest. Many people spend a ton of money buying flowers from a florist in order to create a similar experience inside their homes.

However, for anyone who wants to garden, a beautiful flower garden can also be enjoyed inside your home by growing a cut flower garden.

It’s important to know that not just any flower makes a good cut flower. Instead, you’ll need to choose flowers that stay beautiful and alive for a while after you cut them. Mixing in some of the best cut flowers on this list into your garden layout will not only yield a beautiful outdoor garden but also give you flowers to put together the most exquisite bouquets to enjoy indoors as well!


Fresh cut sunflowers in a vase on a sunny windowsill.
Table of Contents

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    Planning the Layout for Your Cut Flower Garden

    The key to a successful and enjoyable garden is planning the layout! When you plant cut flowers to grow in your garden, there are a few factors to consider as you plan.

    Flower Needs

    Different types of flowers will have different needs when it comes to light, soil, and water. Group flowers with similar needs together to make it easier for you to give them what they need with less effort on your part.


    Height

    Some flowers naturally grow taller than others. Prevent unwanted shade problems by planting taller flowers in the back. Additionally, try to group similar-sized flowers together!


    Layout

    As you consider your cut flower garden layout, plan how you will grow your flowers. You’ll want to create wide rows of plants with walking rows in between to make it easier for you to weed, care for them, and cut stems.

    Annual flowers likely won’t grow for as long of the season as perennials will, so keep some extra seeds on hand and re-seed when a batch of annual flowers starts to die off.


    Best Flowers for a Cutting Garden

    At this point, you may be wondering, “What are the best flowers to grow for cutting?”

    Look no further!

    With so many options of cut flowers to grow, I decided to pull together a list of the best flowers for cutting to grow in your own garden.

    I am breaking this list down into groupings of annual flowers and perennial flowers to help you quickly find what you’re looking for!


    Best Annuals for your Cut Flower Garden

    Annuals are hard to beat for their sheer blooming power. As a result, annuals are traditionally used as cut flowers. Here are the best annuals for your cut flower garden!


    Cosmos

    The combination of daisy-like flowers and fern-like foliage makes Cosmos a natural complement to many other flower garden essentials such as Zinnias, Dahlias, Sunflowers, and more. These small, cup-shaped flowers are easy to grow from seeds and bloom profusely. The more you cut cosmos, the more they seem to bloom.

    Colors: Pink, red, maroon, white, yellow

    Height: 1-3 feet

    Bloom time: Summer, fall

    Vase life: 4-6 days

    I absolutely love Double Click, Cupcake & Saucers, and Purity. Rubenenza is also a glorious red tall-stemmed cosmos that you have to try in your garden.

    Freshly cut cosmos flowers ranging from white to deep magenta.

    Dahlias

    Dahlias have large, elegant blooms that burst with color! They add just the right splash to any flower arrangement. Even in my very short growing season, I have had great success with Dahlias. They are one of my favorite flowers. They also make very impressive, very full, vibrant displays. I often dry dahlias for winter displays.

    Dahlias are bulbs and can be used year after year if you dig up the bulbs after the first frost and store them over winter to replant in the spring.

    It does not take long for one tuber to become 20-30. A Dahlia can produce anywhere from 5-12 tubers a year, which will multiply your plantable stock very quickly!

    Colors: Purple, orange, red, white, yellow, pink

    Height: 1-3 feet

    Bloom time: Summer, fall

    Vase life: 4-6 days

    I absolutely LOVE the dinner plate dahlias. Some of my favorite types are Cafe o Lait, Cafe o Lait Rose (I cannot find it anywhere this year; it’s glorious and a must-add to your garden if you can find it), Islander, and Ottos Thrill. But there are hundreds of dahlias to try in bright jewel colors or light soft pastels. There really is something for everyone.

    Bouquet flower of beautiful fashionable pink dahlias from the cut flower garden in a vase.

    Lavateras

    Want to add a romantic touch to your garden or vase? Grow Lavateras! The flowers look like mini hollyhock blooms. These grow very easily from seeds planted in spring and create bush-like plants with very sturdy blooms.

    This is a taller plant that works well as a back border or as a stand-alone hedge border.

    Colors: White, purple, pink

    Height: 3-8 feet

    Bloom time: Summer, fall

    Vase life: 7-10 days

    I never see Lavatera mentioned for cut gardens, but the flowers are always stunning, prolific, and last a long time. They are also incredibly easy to gather seeds from in the fall. It’s a wonderful flower you can plant once and reseed year after year.


    Closeup of blooming lavatera.

    Sunflowers

    Cheery Sunflowers bring smiles and are known for their tall stems and giant flower heads. But, what many people don’t know about sunflowers is that there are slightly smaller varieties that are a cinch to grow and make wonderful cut flowers. Sunflowers are easy to grow and make a wonderful addition to any garden.

    There are many new sunflowers that have been cultivated for their blooms, but the pollen has been removed or reduced. Although these particular types of sunflowers make great cut flowers, they are not great for your garden or for pollinators like bees. Be sure any sunflower seeds you buy to grow have not been cultivated to remove the pollen.

    Colors: Yellow, orange, red

    Height: 1-3 feet

    Bloom time: Summer & Early Fall

    Vase life: 7-10 days

    How to Grow Sunflowers: Everything You Need to Know

    Dwarf Sunflowers:  Big Impact In a Small Package

    Sunflower Colors – Unique Color Choices Beyond Yellow

    Big bright yellow sunflowers in a clear square vase.

    Zinnias

    Zinnias are easy to grow and make some of the best cut flowers to decorate your home. They are tall and colorful, grow quickly, and provide plentiful blooms – an easy choice for any cut flower garden!

    Zinnias are a cinch to grow from seed, too! Toss down a few seed packets in a sunny spot, and you will be graced with beautiful blooms that go all summer long straight until the first frost of winter.

    Colors: Purple, orange, red, green, pink, white, yellow

    Height: 3-8 feet

    Bloom time: Summer, fall

    Vase life: 7-12 days

    We love the Benary’s Giant series, Queen Lime, Liliput, and Zinderella. But there are SO many beautiful Zinnias that it is difficult to just name a few.

    Row of fluffy colorful zinnia flowers.

    Best Perennials For Your Cut Flower Garden

    Many cut flower gardens feature annual flowers due to their showy blooms that replenish themselves throughout the growing season. However, including perennials in your cutting garden will also add a seasonal flair to your cut flower arrangements since not all perennials bloom at the same time.


    Coneflowers

    Coneflowers (also called Echinacea) are native to North America and a staple for any cut flower garden. They are deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, and their colorful blooms are available from summer to fall. They are also one of the fastest-blooming flowers in your summer garden.

    With large, cone-shaped blooms on single stems, coneflowers make some of the best cut flowers! They also attract bees and butterflies! They spread very well and make a beautiful addition to any garden. The cut flowers also make a beautiful bouquet that lasts for weeks.

    Coneflowers are also hardy. In my zone, there are two short seasons, where the winter temperatures dip well below -30 C, and they survive and thrive.

    Colors: Purple, orange, red, green, pink, white, yellow

    Height: 1-3 feet

    Bloom time: Summer, fall

    Vase life: Up to 14 days


    Big beautiful pink coneflower heads.

    Lilies

    The large, showy blooms of Lilies add elegance and beauty to any garden or cut flower arrangement. With seemingly endless varieties of their distinctive trumpet-shaped flowers, the Lily can be added to a cut flower arrangement for long-lasting enjoyment.

    Lily’s are also strongly scented and are a great flower if you love flowers with a heady scent.

    Colors: Orange, red, blue, white, pink

    Height: 3-8 feet

    Bloom time: Summer

    Vase life: 8-10 days


    Beautiful pink lilies in a vase.

    Roses

    The champion of all cut flowers, roses are not only a treat for the eyes, but they are also one of the best smelling flowers as well! They look amazing in almost any garden as well as in cut flower arrangements. Their stiff stems help them stay vibrant and look fresh for days after you cut them.

    Homegrown roses also have a heavier scent, and old-fashioned bush roses have beautifully ruffly petals that fill displays and look gorgeous as centerpieces.

    Colors: Purple, orange, red, green, pink, white, yellow

    Height: 3-8 feet

    Bloom time: Summer

    Vase life: 4-7 days

    My favorite rose is Boscobel. It’s an English Shrub Rose Bred By David Austin. The scent is unreal, and the flowers are incredibly well-formed, tight, and unique.

    Related:

    How to Keep Cut Roses Fresh in Water As Long As Possible

    How to Plant Drift Roses – Planting, Care and Pruning

    How to Dry Rose Petals In Under Two Minutes – Perfectly


    Pink rose blooms freshly cut from the garden.

    Tulips

    Among the first flowers to bloom in the spring, Tulips come in many color options and work well as cut flowers. Tulips drink a lot of water, so keep their stems in water to prevent air from getting in them.

    I love the ruffled tulips for cut flowers. I mean, any tulip will do, but the ruffled tulips add a lot of pretty texture to cut flower bouquets.

    Colors: Blue, red, green, orange, white, pink

    Height: 10-20 inches

    Bloom time: Spring

    Vase life: Up to 7 days

    The prettiest Tulips for me are the double-flowered tulips like


    Bouquet of pink tulips in a glass vase.

    Best Flowers for a Cut Flower Garden – Quick Reference Guide

    FlowerColorsHeightBloom TimeVase Life
    CosmosPink, red, maroon, white, yellow1-3 feetSummer, fall4-6 days
    DahliasPurple, orange, red, white, yellow, pink1-3 feetSummer, fall4-6 days
    LavateraWhite, purple, pink3-8 feetSummer, fall7-10 days
    SunflowersYellow, orange, red3-8 feetSummer, early fall7-10 days
    ZinniasPurple, orange, red, green, pink, white, yellow3-8 feetSummer, fall7-12 days
    ConeflowersPurple, orange, red, green, pink, white, yellow1-3 feetSummer, fallUp to 14 days
    LiliesOrange, red, blue, white, pink3-8 feetSummer8-10 days
    RosesPurple, orange, red, green, pink, white, yellow3-8 feetSummer4-7 days
    TulipsBlue, red, green, orange, white, pink10-20 inchesSpringUp to 7 days

    Are You Going To Plant any of These Cut Flowers This year?

    You can’t go wrong growing any of these flowers for a cut flower garden. With this list of the best cut flowers to grow, you’ll have gorgeous indoor flower arrangements all season long!

    Having access to your own flower-cutting garden (especially if you are obsessed with flowers like I am) means fresh blooms every week in every room. It also means beautiful cut flower displays to give away to brighten someone else’s day. A win-win gardening situation if you ask me.


    FAQs

    What flowers last the longest after cutting?

    Flowers like zinnias, coneflowers, and lilies have some of the longest vase lives, lasting 8-14 days with proper care. Tulips and roses tend to have shorter vase lives but can last longer with fresh water and stem trimming.

    How do you keep cut flowers fresh longer?

    Change the water every 1-2 days, trim stems at an angle, and remove leaves that sit below the waterline. Adding a pinch of sugar or floral preservative can also help extend freshness.

    When is the best time to cut flowers for arrangements?

    The best time to cut flowers is early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. This prevents wilting and helps flowers stay fresh longer.

    What is the easiest flower to grow for cutting?

    Zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers are some of the easiest cut flowers to grow. They require minimal maintenance, bloom all season long, and provide abundant stems for arrangements.

    Looking For More Flower Cutting Inspiration?

    Check out these flower gardening posts guaranteed to inspire!

    Closeup of Laura.

    Author: Laura Kennedy

    Writer & Owner of Little Yellow Wheelbarrow

    Laura is a highly skilled gardener and fervent flower enthusiast. Despite her playful battle with plant spacing guidelines, Laura’s work inspires gardeners to create thriving, beautiful spaces that reflect both creativity and sustainability.

    Closeup of Laura.

    Author: Laura Kennedy

    Writer & Owner of Little Yellow Wheelbarrow

    Laura is a highly skilled gardener and fervent flower enthusiast. Despite her playful battle with plant spacing guidelines, Laura’s work inspires gardeners to create thriving, beautiful spaces that reflect both creativity and sustainability.

    Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on May 9, 2020. It was updated on November 12, 2024 to improve formatting and reader experience.

    2 Comments

      1. Hi Mari, great additions. We’ll set this post for updating and add them to this list. Thanks for the feedback!

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