Imagine stepping into your backyard and being greeted by a vibrant, blooming garden filled with a stunning array of flowers you grew from seed. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, guess what? It can be your reality! Grow your cut flower garden with ease and flair by trying out these ten easy-to-grow flowers from seed!
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Benefits of Growing Flowers from Seed
Growing flowers from seed has its own special rewards – you get to pick from a wider selection of plants, it’s a great way to save money, and nothing beats the feeling of watching your babies grow.
Choosing to sow seeds is a smart option for those looking to save some money while enjoying the rewards of cultivating plants straight from the nursery bed to full bloom. But it also requires a bit more patience! Speaking from experience… I’ve had some great successes and some epic failures! But, isn’t that with all things in life and the garden?
Another important reason to grow flowers (and many herbs) in your backyard is to help the pollinators! Although pollinators are experiencing several challenges, such as habitat loss, pesticides, and disease, we can support their conservation in our own backyards! Learn more by reading my post The Buzz About Pollinators: How Gardeners Can Make a Difference.
Ideal Conditions for Seed Growth
A mere 70-100 days and your annual flowers, including cut flowers, will be at their absolute finest, just like on a flower farm. Success lies in providing the perfect growing conditions for your seeds. After winter’s chill, it’s an opportune time to plant seeds such as cosmos and sweet peas. Ensure your flowers receive full sun and have access to well-drained soil to optimize their growth.
Another important aspect is to choose the right varieties for your garden, zone, and frost dates. To find your hardiness zone, head to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone website and search by your zip code. To determine your first and last frost dates, head to the Farmers Almanac website and search by your zip code.
For example, I live in Miramar Beach, Florida and my plant hardiness zone is 9a. I’m actually almost directly on the line between zones 9a and 9b! Based on the Farmers Almanac, my first frost date is December 15, my last spring frost date is February 17, and my average growing season is 300 days. A reminder that average frost dates provided are estimates based on historical data. There is always the possibility of a frost occurring before your first frost date and after your last spring frost date.
Many seeds are best direct sowed into your garden, but others can be started indoors to give you a head start on your cut flower garden.
Starting garden seeds indoors offers numerous benefits such as extending the growing season, increasing harvest opportunities, and providing greater control over plant growth from the very beginning. From grow lights to seed trays, check out Green Thumb 101: The 6 Must-Have Tools for Successful Seed Starting to help guide you through what you need when starting your seeds indoors.
Creating a Cut Flower Garden
Establishing a cutting garden, also known as a cut flower garden, requires careful planning, choosing the right flowers, and ensuring they receive appropriate care for optimal growth and flowering. Begin by choosing the right flowers for your garden, taking into consideration factors like sunlight, soil type, and available space.
Once you’ve selected your flowers, make sure to provide them with proper care, including adequate sunlight, well-drained soil, and regular watering. With careful planning and attention, you’ll be able to create a stunning cut flower garden that will provide you with beautiful blooms all season long.
10 Easy-to-Grow Flowers from Seed
Get ready to transform your garden into a dazzling display of colors and textures with these 10 best cut flowers to grow from seed.
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Calendula
- Snapdragons
- Gomphrena
- Marigolds
- Yarrow
- Strawflowers
- Bachelor’s Button
These versatile cut flowers offer unique characteristics and benefits that will make your garden stand out. A versatile cut flower should be adaptable and able to thrive in various conditions, making it a popular choice among gardeners. Of course, there are more than 10 that are great for a cut flower garden, but these are great options for gardeners of all levels. As always, check to ensure what grows best in your growing zone.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a breeze to grow, come in a plethora of colors and sizes, and if you plant them in succession you’ll always have a steady supply of blooms. Sunflowers can be easily grown by:
Moreover, they never fail to bring a smile to the face of anyone who visits my garden. Varieties like Sunrich Lemon, Italian White, and Solar Power will brighten your day and your garden with cheerful colors. Plant sunflowers in your garden and enjoy these towering beauties all season long. Seeing my sunflowers in my garden always brings a smile.
Zinnias
Zinnias are vibrant, low-maintenance flowers that produce more blooms when cut and can be planted every few weeks to extend the growing season. Their bright, cheery colors and ease of growth make them popular for beginners and experienced gardeners.
Zinnias are my favorite cut flower due to their ease of growing and continuous blooming from summer to fall when the frost kills them, which could easily mean flowers for me until November in Florida! If you follow me on Instagram, you know how much I post about my zinnias!
To maximize the flower yield per plant, follow these tips:
- Plant the seeds before the last frost
- Using a netting or trellis for support
- They are not particular about the soil type
- Can withstand heat (even Florida heat!)
- Harvest these beautiful blooms regularly.
- Prune the plants well to promote longer stems.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
- Provide adequate sunlight and water for healthy growth.
Following these steps, you can enjoy a bountiful display of zinnias in your garden.
Some royal-worthy varieties include Queeny Lime, Giant Blue Point Formula, and Cupcake Pinks. Orange Cupcake. With zinnias in your garden, you’ll enjoy a never-ending display of color and charm.
Cosmos
Cosmos are simple to direct sow, available in various colors, and produce numerous blooms when cut frequently. These delightful flowers are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your garden. Simply scatter the cosmos seeds on the soil surface, akin to sprinkling fairy dust, then lightly cover them with soil to secure their position.
You can find the cosmos in a delightful array of pink, white, burgundy, and pale yellow hues. For an even more fabulous display, try growing a mix of variety packets, such as Wild Cosmos Sensation Mix or the Double Click Blend. One variety I just can’t get enough of is the Candystripe Cosmos from Botanical Interests!
Plant cosmos in your garden and watch them create a magical atmosphere.
Calendula
Calendula is a productive, frost-hardy flower with a long blooming time and edible petals used in herbal remedies. Its cheerful yellow and orange blooms will brighten your day and your garden. This one does require a bit more patience with timing.
Some benefits of calendula include:
- Its petals are edible and make for tasty teas and herbal salves
- It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe skin irritations
- It can be used to make natural dyes for fabrics and crafts
- It attracts beneficial insects to your garden, such as bees and butterflies
So not only do calendula blooms look beautiful in a bouquet, but they also offer a range of practical uses.
Growing calendula requires only ample sunlight and well-drained soil. Given its hardy nature and myriad uses, calendula is an indispensable addition to your garden.
Some of my favorite calendula seeds are Zeolight Calendula, Strawberry Blonde, and Sunset Buff.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are easy to grow from seed, can handle the chill of the first frost, and come in tall varieties that are perfect for cutting. These cheerful flowers are a delight to have in any garden, and their unique shape adds an extra touch of whimsy.
Cultivating snapdragons involves merely planting the seeds and ensuring they have suitable conditions to flourish. They are also usually readily available to purchase as a plant if you don’t want to wait for the seeds! Snapdragons will grace your garden with their playful charm and vibrant blooms throughout the season. I’ve had these flowers bloom from early Spring through the end of Fall before.
Gomphrena
Gomphrena is a drought-tolerant flower that adds texture to bouquets and can be dried for long-lasting arrangements. These unique, globe-shaped flowers come in a variety of colors and are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your garden.
Cultivating gomphrena requires only abundant sunlight and well-drained soil. Add gomphrena to your garden and behold their enchanting aura and enduring beauty in your arrangements. It’s hard not to fall in love with these in your garden!
Marigolds
Marigolds are low-maintenance, pest-repellent flowers that come in various colors and sizes. Their vibrant hues and ease of growth make them a popular choice for any garden.
In addition to their beauty, marigolds are also known for their ability to deter pests, making them a practical addition to your garden. Growing marigolds involves just planting the seeds and ensuring they have suitable conditions to flourish.
With marigolds in your vegetable garden, you’ll enjoy their cheerful presence and the added benefit of a pest-free oasis.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a hardy perennial with feathery foliage and clusters of small flowers that attract beneficial insects. This versatile plant is not only beautiful but also serves a practical purpose in your garden by:
- Attracting helpful bugs
- Improving soil quality
- Acting as a natural pest repellent
- Providing a food source for pollinators
Cultivating yarrow simply requires ample sunlight and well-drained soil. Removing wilted flowers promotes more blooms and maintains its robust nature. With yarrow in your garden, you’ll enjoy its delicate beauty and the added bonus of attracting beneficial insects.
Strawflowers
Strawflowers are easy to grow, long-lasting in a vase, and can be saved for seeds. These delicate flowers have a unique, straw-like texture that makes them perfect for drying and creating long-lasting arrangements with their long stems.
Grow strawflowers simply by ensuring they receive plenty of sunlight and are planted in well-drained soil. By adding strawflowers to your garden, you’ll enjoy their captivating beauty and the ability to create long-lasting, dried flower arrangements.
Bachelor’s Button
Bachelor’s buttons are charming, old-fashioned annuals with a true blue hue that’s rare in the flower world. Their cornflower-like structure adds a unique touch to any bouquet, whether mixed with other flowers or as the main event. These hardy plants self-sow easily, making them a favorite for creating naturalistic, wildflower-inspired spaces.
Bachelor’s Button Growing Tips:
- Plant in a sunny area with well-drained soil.
- For extended blooming, deadhead regularly.
- Can tolerate dry, infertile soils, making them ideal for neglected corners of the garden.
Tips for Extending the Growing Season
For a garden that blooms all season, you might want to start some of your cut flowers indoors in a garden bed, followed by a second batch of seeds that have a shorter growing period.
Successive planting, where a new batch of seeds is sown every few weeks, is another effective strategy for extending the blooming season, as it guarantees a continuous flow of flowers. Opt for varieties with varying maturity times to spread out the harvest and make the season last longer. By employing these strategies, you can enjoy a consistent and vibrant display of flowers in your garden for an extended period.
How to Harvest and Arrange Your Blooms
For creating stunning bouquets that last, proper harvesting and arranging of your blooms is essential. Start by picking the flowers at the perfect time – when the blooms are bursting and the petals are just starting to unfurl. Use sharp scissors or pruners and cut at an angle to ensure proper water uptake.
When arranging your blooms, follow these steps:
- Start with the largest flowers and work your way down to the smallest.
- Use foliage as filler between the larger blooms for a lush, full look. I incorporate herbs such as basil and rosemary or even cuttings from some of my shrubs such as my podocarpus.
- Remember to change the water every few days.
- Trim the stems to keep your arrangement looking fresh.
With these 10 easy-to-grow flowers and helpful tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning, blooming garden that will bring you joy all season long. So why not take the plunge and start growing your own flowers from seed? Embrace the satisfaction of nurturing your own garden and enjoy the beauty and bounty it brings. Happy gardening!
What are your favorite cut flowers to grow – which ones did I leave off the list? Head to the comments and let me know!
