If you’re searching for flowers perfect for cutting and arranging, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are our top picks:
Achillea (yarrow) is an ideal filler flower for arrangements. These self-seeders add depth and texture to bouquets with its striking green foliage.
1. Yarrow
When the yarrow plant blooms, it produces stiff, flat flower heads composed of multiple tiny blooms. These vibrant blooms add an eye-catching element to perennial borders and can also be used in dried flower arrangements for added beauty.
Yarrow is a hardy perennial that blooms from June through September in full sun. It thrives best in well-drained soil with moderate fertility levels and requires little additional fertilizer once established.
If you want to add yarrow to your garden, start from seed or transplants purchased at a nearby nursery. Or start seeds indoors under grow lights 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date.
Once established, yarrows don’t require regular watering or fertilizer – although they may benefit from a light layer of compost in springtime.
Achillea millefolium, native to Europe and Asia, is the most widespread variety of yarrow. Through selective breeding efforts however, many beautiful cultivated varieties have been created.
Yarnflower flowers come in an array of colors, such as coral, gold, ivory, lilac, pink, rose and yellow. Mix and match different cultivars to create a stunning border or incorporate it into one of your favorite garden flower displays.
Yarrow has been used in folk medicine for millennia. Some studies have even found that it may help boost your immunity; however, it should only be taken by adults over 16 or pregnant women under medical supervision. Talk to your doctor before using yarrow as a dietary supplement.
Yarrow has a pleasant, licorice-scented aroma that can deter pests from ruining your garden harvest. Additionally, having it in your vegetable garden is beneficial as it attracts pollinators for added pollinator benefits.
2. New England aster
New England aster, commonly known as Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, is a late blooming perennial that adds vibrant color to autumn bouquets. This native plant can thrive in most garden soil types.
New England asters provide nectar to butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators during late season. Furthermore, these flowers serve as food sources for birds, bumblebees and miner bees.
Cut flower arrangements with this species often feature purple domes (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’). Grown to heights of 18 inches, these blooms open to reveal vibrant violet blue blooms.
New England aster makes for a stunning addition to any cutting garden or mixed container due to its large size and showy blooms. Its upright stems are decorated with fine hairs and bristles that set it apart from other plants in the garden.
For optimal bloom, harvest flowers as they open in late summer and early fall. Be sure to select stems with 25-49% of their florets open.
New England aster is not only a beautiful flower, but an important wildlife food source for monarch butterflies and other beneficial insects. Their nectar provides these butterflies with energy as they prepare to migrate south in autumn.
This herbaceous perennial can grow up to 6 feet tall, making it an ideal choice for planting in gardens or meadow drifts. It tolerates a variety of soil types and is deer-resistant.
3. Laceflower
Are you searching for a way to add some vibrant hues and vibrant spots in your bouquets or fill in empty spots in the garden, fast-growing flowers are ideal. Many also make great gifts due to their low maintenance requirements and ease of cultivation.
One of my favourite flowers in the garden is Gomphrena, which produces lots of blooms throughout the summer. Not only do these flowers look stunning in a vase, but they can also be cut and dried for an eye-catching decorative piece.
These daisy-like plants come in an array of hues, from vibrant pink to dusky orange and even lavender. Their fern-like foliage looks beautiful when arranged for arrangements as well.
Laceflower is a hardy annual that will add beauty to any garden. These flowers require minimal care and can be planted from early spring until the first frosts arrive.
Pollinators love them and they’re ideal for adding beauty to bouquets or as filler flowers in arrangements. Choose from an array of shades with long, flowing stems for maximum impact!
It is essential to remember that these flowers do not have a long vase life, so they should be removed from the water once they start to fade. Doing this helps them maintain their shape and improves their aesthetic appeal.
Florists love this plant for its stunning white lace flowers that add beauty to both fresh and dried arrangements. You can incorporate them into bouquets, mix them with other flowering annuals or mix in some perennials to achieve a wild and natural aesthetic.
4. Lady’s mantle
Lady’s mantle is an attractive perennial that thrives in shaded areas. It makes an excellent container plant due to its soft green leaves and clustered chartreuse blooms, which look beautiful combined with other seasonal blooms.
This plant has a long-standing tradition of medicinal uses. Its root and leaves were once employed as poultices for bruises and wounds; furthermore, its tea was believed to help alleviate menstrual pain in women.
The plant is a perennial that can thrive in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 7. It prefers cool summers and fertile soil.
Scalloped foliage adds a charming touch to shady gardens, particularly when planted alongside fern fronds or other textures-rich plants.
In late spring and early summer, the lush gray-green leaves form a dense mound. They take on an especially captivating appearance after rainstorms when the leaves hold water droplets in their pleats like pearls of liquid mercury.
This plant is an excellent choice for the front of a border or as ground cover. Its flowers can be cut and dried for use in floral arrangements.
Another advantage of this plant is its self-seeding potential. Without supervision, it could quickly spread and become out of control. To help keep things under control, deadhead the flowers as soon as they appear.
This plant has a clumping habit and forms a dense mound up to 24′ across. Its fine-textured billowing sprays of chartreuse-yellow blooms make for stunning floral bouquets or dried arrangements; especially when combined with blue, violet or rose.
5. Poppy
If you’re searching for a cheerful and airy floral arrangement, poppies are an ideal choice. They can thrive in nearly any garden setting and add an eye-catching splash of color and whimsical charm to your flowers.
Poppy plants require minimal upkeep and care, with the option to cut them back to the ground in autumn. Not only do they add visual interest to your yard, but they’re also an excellent pollinator plant that brings butterflies and bees year-round.
Yarrow (Achillea) is an easy-to-care for flower that adds vibrant hues to any arrangement. These flat clusters of blooms in shades of white, yellow, orange, red and pink make wonderful fillers for both fresh and dried bouquets.
These low-maintenance flowers can be used as a stand-in or mixed with other perennials to create an eye-catching bouquet. Their flowers have no scent and last two to three weeks when kept in a vase – perfect for summer arrangements!
Poppies can be fickle, so it is essential to treat them with kindness and patience when they are opening up. To make sure the ends of the stems don’t wilt when cut, immerse them in hot water for a few seconds before adding them to a vase; this helps seal off that end and prevents milky latex from seeping out.
You can extend the life of your flowers, especially those that may not be able to tolerate as much moisture, such as poppies. Wilt-Stop, available at many gardening stores, is one such product that will keep your blooms fresher for longer.