Bountiful Bouquets

Description

The parade of blooms begins in early summer when the fuchsia pink ‘Saucy Seduction’ yarrow and frilly white Freak!® Shasta daisies start to bloom. Yarrow flowers can be used in both fresh and dried flower arrangements. The daisies bloom prolifically, so there will be plenty to spare for cutting.

‘Summer Beauty’ ornamental onions will start popping up around this time, too. Their perfectly round, lavender flower heads add whimsy to the garden and arrangements. If you’d rather enjoy their seed heads in dried bouquets, cut them after the flowers are spent.

In midsummer, Bobo® panicle hydrangea will begin to show its flower buds which will pop open in high summer. The creamy white flowers will age to pink as fall approaches. You won’t hurt the plant by cutting its flowers any time from summer through winter, so go ahead and pick as many fresh or dried blooms as you’d like. This hydrangea will set its new flower buds in late spring to early summer next year, so you won’t risk it not blooming by cutting the flowers for this year’s bouquets.

If you catch a sweet fragrance in the air from midsummer into late summer, it’s likely the Stargazer oriental lilies in bloom. They are very strongly fragrant and last quite a while in bouquets, which is why this flower is often used by florists. Cut the stems when all the buds are fully developed and plump with the first flowers starting to open. The buds will continue to open in the vase.

Silver Brocade artemisia might not be the first plant you think of for a cutting garden, but its lacy silver foliage is a beautiful filler for small bouquets. Plant a nice wide patch of it so you’ll have plenty to cut all season long. It might remind you of an annual called dusty miller, but this artemisia is extremely cold hardy and will return year after year.

Region

Mid-Atlantic, MidWest, Northeast
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Seasons of Interest

Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer

Weeks of Interest

12 Weeks

Exposure

Sun