Learn how to get the most out of your freshly cut flowers.

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Publish - May 15, 1999

BY: SALLY SCALERA, HORTICULTURE AGENT

CUT FLOWERS LOOK AS NICE IN THE HOUSE AS IN THE LANDSCAPE

It’s nice to see flowers in the landscape but don’t forget that they can also be brought inside to enjoy. Many people grow roses to bring inside and enjoy but there are many other flowers that can also be grown for indoor enjoyment. If you have ever heard of a cutting garden that is what they are referring to - flowers that can be cut and brought indoors.

While not all flowers do well as cut flowers there are a many that do. Some annuals that do well include; cosmos (Cosmos bipinnattus), snapdragrons (Antirrhinum majus - a winter annual for full sun), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), pincushion flower (Scabiosa atropurpurea), statice (Limonium sinuatum - dry flower), zinnia (Zinnia spp.), ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), aster (Callistephus chinensis), celosia (Celosia spp.), calendula (Calendula officinalis), dahlia (Dahlia spp.), dianthus (Dianthus barbatus, D. chinensis), gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa), annual baby’s breath (Gypsophila spp.), flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata), black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), marigolds (Tagetes spp.), verbena (Verbena x hybrida), johnny jump-up (Viola tricolor), blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella), stock (Matthiola incana- fragrant winter annual for full sun), mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), and pansy (Viola x wittrockiana - winter annual for full sun.)

There are also a number of perennials that do well as cut flower such as; garden violet (Viola odorata - wonderful fragrance, needs shade), Stoke’s aster (Stokesia laevis), blue salvia (Salvia farinacea), rose (Rosa spp.), garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), bee balm (Monarda didyma), liatrus (liatris spicata), gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii), dianthus (D. caryophyllus, D. deltoides, D. plumerius), bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae), mums (Chrysanthemum coccineum, C. parthenium ‘Aureum’, C. x morifolim, C. x superbum), scarlet milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), yarrow (Achillea millefoium), heliconia (Heliconia spp.), and red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria).

Most of these plants can be grown in full sun in well-drained soils but some can also be grown in partially shady areas. These flowers can easily be grown in your landscape among your other ornamentals.

Once your plants begin to produce flowers you will be able to bring the

blooms inside to enjoy. To get the most out of your freshly cut flowers here are some pointers to follow.

1) Fill your vase with warm water because it contains less air than cold water and will allow the stem to take up the water more quickly.

2) Always use a perservative. Preservatives provide food to the flowers, add antibacterial agents to reduce microorganisms from blocking the water uptake in the stems and they adjust the pH of the water.

3) Remove all of the foliage below the water level plus any foliage that is damaged. It is best to leave some foliage on the stem (above the water) as this allows for better water and solution uptake.

4) After you bring the flowers in from the garden, cut the flower stems again under water and remove at least one to two more inches of stem. Use a sharp knife or shears for a clean cut. Immediately place them in a vase filled with warm water and the preservative solution.

Now, go check your cupboards for an empty vase or two and start planning what you want to fill the vase with and where you will plant it your yard. Also, don’t forget to take some cut flowers to work!

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