It is a good idea to plant a Cutting Garden if you want to have flowers to bring inside your home, but don’t want to keep taking from your carefully arranged flower beds. So you set up a Cutting Garden – very much like a Vegetable Garden, this plot is all about function. The flowers are planted – like vegetables – in rows or blocks and cultivated strictly for their best growth and cutting for arrangements or bouquets.
When planning your Cutting Garden, choose a level, well drained and sunny location that is well sheltered from the wind. Dig soil deeply, adding compost or well-composted manure. Whether you are planting from seeds or planting seedlings from your local nursery, check the stats carefully, paying attention to mature height of each variety. Mature height is important – to make sure they all get enough sun. Plant the tallest flowers long the northern or eastern edge of your cutting garden, and the rest in descending order as you work toward the opposite edge.
Annuals are ideal for your Cutting Garden – mainly because they are vigorous producers and respond well to harvesting and deadheading – they will produce even more flowers.
Here are the top five – the ones that are likely give you the best results in your own Cutting Garden:
Zinnia:
These long-stemmed, multi-coloured bloomers are excellent in mixed and stand=alone bouquets. Can grow to 120 cm tall.
Aster:
Showy pink, white and purple blooms make am impact in any arrangement. can grow to 100 cm height.
Dianthus – Sweet Mix:
An old-time favourite that produces long-lasting flowers. Best in cooler summer months and in fall. Grows to about 90 cm height.
Stock – Mathiolla Incana:
Stocks are truly one of the few very fragrant flowers that are perfect for cutting too. Grows to about 65 cm height.
Salvia – “Black and Blue”:
New to gardens, very easy to grow and one of the few blue flowering plants. Can grow as high as 150 cm.
These are the top five – they are a lot more annuals and perennials that are suitable for your Cutting Garden and your preference and your imagination will guide you further. Please add your choices and your experiences!
