Perennial flowers make a wonderful addition to any garden landscape. Some perennials can also be used as cut flowers, and look great in flower arrangements. So let’s have a look at some of the best perennials for a cut flower garden, so you can enjoy these blooms in your vase, year after year.
At the flower farm we use a variety flowers for bouquets and cut flower arrangements. While annual flowers bloom all summer long, perennials and biennials also have their place in the cutting garden.
It will take some time for your perennial plants to establish in your garden. Often the plants will not flower in the first season of planting, however some can flower later in the season of that first year.
Many perennial plants will take 2 to 3 years to produce good sized blooms for cutting. However once they have reached a mature size, you will have beautiful blooms to use for cutting from there on in.
Once your perennials get established and become mature plants, you can expect yearly production, at expected times, if you plant with the season in mind.
Why Choose Perennials?
Longevity
- The great thing about perennials is that they can return to the garden repeatedly for many years, from just one planting, depending on the plant. Therefore you will not have to plant these flowers every year, but rather just have to wait for them to grow and bloom.
- Perennials as a rule will live for several years, and beyond, often increasing in size and productivity as they mature. Some species, such as peonies, can live for generations.
Good Investment
- Although the cost of perennials may be more than annuals initially, it is a one time cost, and a good long-term investment.
Low Maintenance
- Ideally, the perennial flowers chosen should not only be beautiful but also relatively easy to maintain.
- Perennial plants generally require much less maintenance, and time and effort than annual plants. Just a little cleanup of garden debris, and some mulching will often be all that they need in terms of yearly care.
- As the plants expand in size each year, this usually reduces the amount of mulch and weeding required as well.
Seasonal Interest
- Perennial flowers have their season, and will generally return to bloom at approximately the same time each year. You can fill the growing season with perennial availability by growing different types of plants that flower at different times.
- Although perennial plants do not tend to have long blooming periods, compared to their annual counterparts, they offer unbelievable beauty and interest.
Best Perennials For Cutting
Perennials are worth growing for cutting if they have specific qualities that make them appealing for flower arrangements. Some important qualities for a good cut flower include:
- a long vase life of 7 to 10 days
- tall and sturdy stems
- prolific blooming, producing abundant flowers throughout their blooming period
- appealing size, shape, color, and visual interest
- and of course fragrance is a bonus
Here is a list of perennial flowers that make the most wonderful cut flowers, and that we use in our bouquets and arrangements:
Rudbeckia- Black Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia is a tender perennial, or short-lived perennial in our zone 5b growing zone. Luckily it readily self seeds, so there are always rudbeckia plants in the garden.
There are lots of different varieties of rudbeckia to choose from.
Some favorite varieties include Rudbeckia triloba, a small flowered plant that adds an airy touch to bouquets, and a striking green eyed Rudbeckia cultivar named Rudbeckia ‘Prairie Sun’.
Echinacea- Purple Coneflower
Echinacea is a quintessential cottage garden flower, so adding this flower to your arrangements gives an informal feel. The large central cone adds interest and texture to any bouquet.
Most commonly found in shades of purple and pink, these plants can also be found in a variety of other colors as well.
Achillea Millefolium- Yarrow
Yarrow is another short-lived, tender perennial in our growing zone. These plants also readily self seed, so they have established themselves in our garden by propagating in this manner.
This perennial has such a romantic and lacy appearance when in full bloom. Make sure to harvest the disc shaped flowers when the flower head is fully open, to prevent wilting.
Echinops- Globe Thistle
Globe thistle has spiky round blooms that add dimension and texture to arrangements.
These perennials are hardy, and easy to grow from seed. The flowers produce an interesting and somewhat otherworldly looking bloom, which is strangely beautiful, if you catch them at the right time.
My first globe thistles were started from seed heads gathered up at the end of a wedding event, which had been part of the special floral display. They continue on, now making a special display in my own garden.
Delphinium
With towering spikes of blue, purple, pink, or white flowers on tall stems, delphiniums offer height and drama to floral designs. They are particularly stunning in formal arrangements.
These beautiful plants are short-lived perennials, and will generally require staking to help support the tall flowers when they are in full bloom.
Lupine
Known for their impressive spikes of densely packed flowers, lupines range in color from blues and purples, to pinks and whites. The flowers add height and a dramatic element to bouquets.
Liatris- Blazing Star
Liatris has tall, narrow spiked blooms, covered with bright purple flowers that open from the top down, unlike most spiked flowers. The flowers add vertical interest to any arrangement and are favored for their long vase life.
Monarda- Bee Balm
Bee Balm flowers are highly fragrant, and known for their vibrant, unusual tufted shape. The flowers come in shades of red, pink, and purple, and although many cultivars are perennial, there are some annual varieties as well, which also make great cut flowers.
These blooms bring a wildflower look to arrangements.
Bee balm, also known as bergamot, is a perennial herb, and also attracts pollinators to the garden, making them a valuable garden plant.
Astilbe
Known for their feathery, plume-like flowers, astilbes add texture and a sense of delicacy to arrangements. They come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, and red.
Some cultivars also have a wonderful sweet floral scent.
Goat’s Beard- Aruncus
Goat’s Beard produces large, feathery plumes of creamy white flowers. These blooms are excellent for adding light, airy textures to floral arrangements, and look similar to astilbe.
Eryngium- Sea Holly
Sea Holly features distinctive, spiky, blue or silvery flowers and bracts, which provide unique texture and a touch of striking color. These interesting flowers are particularly good for modern or architectural floral designs.
Peony
Known for their lush, romantic blooms, peonies are a favorite in early summer arrangements. They have a relatively long vase life if cut in the marshmallow stage, and make an excellent cut flower.
Peonies have a long life in the garden as well, and can live for many generations with the right maintenance and care.
Silene Blushing Lanterns
Known for it’s delicate, lantern-shaped flowers that come in a range of pink shades, Silene ‘Blushing Lanterns’ offers a soft, whimsical touch to bouquets.
These tiny flowers provide a gentle contrast to the more structured flowers like lupines and liatris, adding depth and a playful element to floral designs. The light stems and airy blooms are especially suited for creating a natural, garden-inspired look.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Perennial Plants Last?
The length of time a perennial survives in your garden is dependent on a number of factors. Perennial plants vary widely in their lifespan, depending on the species, climate, and growing conditions.
Short-lived perennials, such as lupines, delphiniums, and rudbeckias typically last for about 2 to 5 years. They will require replanting or will self-seed in the garden after a few seasons.
Medium-lived perennials, such as daylilies and echinacea, can live for 5 to 15 years and beyond.
Long-lived perennials, such as peonies and hostas are renowned for their longevity and can continue to bloom annually for decades, or longer.
Can Perennials Survive In Shady Areas?
Some perennials grow spectacularly in the shade. This makes them ideal for gardens that don’t receive full sunlight throughout the day.
Shade perennials include hostas, astilbe, bleeding heart, Solomon’s seal, and so many more.
When Is The Best Time To Cut Perennial Flowers From My Garden?
Each flowering perennial will have it’s own specific period for blooming, as well as a best stage in which to cut the flowers. So know your plants, and be aware of bloom time and stage of cutting, for best success.
How Do I Encourage Perennials To Rebloom?
Some perennial plants will rebloom again later in the season, if they are deadheaded after flowering, conserving the plant’s energy for rebloom. In most plants the second flush of flowers will be much less than the first, however it is lovely to get those extra blooms from your perennials.
Conclusion
Adding perennials to your cut flower garden is a wise choice. By choosing the right perennials, you not only get to enjoy their blooms year after year, but also contribute to a more sustainable environment.
You don’t have to be a flower farmer to enjoy the benefits of perennials in the cut flower garden. As you plan your garden and flower beds, consider the many options available in terms of colors, fragrances, and bloom times.
Start small, and gradually expand the perennial plants in your garden, as you become more familiar with the needs of the different perennial species you’ve chosen.
By adding perennial cut flowers, you will have a supply of special blooms every year to add to your cut flower displays. Enjoy the beauty of your perennial blooms not only in your garden, but also in your vase.
Have you ever used perennials as cut flowers? Be sure to leave a comment below to share your experience!
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