How to Grow Cut Flowers

Perennial Blue Sage

Cut flowers can be annuals or perennials, grown from bulbs, corms or tubers. Cut flower arrangements can even include leaves and weeds from the side of the road.Often when you grow flowers for cutting purposes, they are called "cut and come again" because the more the plant is cut, the more flowers it produces.This article concentrates on the easiest cut flowers to grow in the garden, but be aware that many varieties are great for cutting. Most flowers grow best if you put them in the ground as seeds or 4-inch transplants, fertilize them and leave them alone until you are ready to cut some and enjoy them in the house.

Things You'll Need

• Flower seeds or 4-inch transplants
• Trowel
• Fertilizer
• Hand clippers
• Knee pads
• Gardening gloves
• Bucket with water

Instructions

1. 

   Plant the flower seeds or 4-inch transplants in either full sun, filtered sun or shade depending on the needs of the plant. Use the trowel to dig a shallow hole. The giant red crinum wants full sun, so that's where it is planted.

2. 

   Fertilize the plant immediately after planting it and water it well. Choose a fertilizer formulated for your part of the country.

3. 

   After planting, wait until the plant begins to flower before you cut it. During this wait time, water and remove weeds regularly.

4. Mulching your plants with cypress or pine needle mulch will keep the weeds at bay and keep moisture in your flower beds.

5. When your plants begin to bloom, cut the flowers with long stems and put them in a bucket of water.

6. Cut the stems again in running water and arrange the flowers in a vase. Enjoy your beautiful display.

Tips & Warnings

• Using fertilizer on your plants will give you larger and more spectacular blooms.

• Water in the mornings or late evenings so your plants' leaves, buds and flowers will not burn.