How to plant a cut flower garden this summer

Buying established plants will get the cut flower garden going immediately, especially if you buy annuals that are already blooming. Kathie Hayden, manager of plant information service at

the Chicago Botanic Garden, says easy-to-grow annuals such as low-maintenance cosmos, cheery purple gomphrena, celosia, blue salvia and taller varieties of pom-pom-shaped ageratum are all

good for cutting and should be available in multiplant packs in local garden centers. Joy recommends sunny black-eyed Susans, bachelor buttons, giant marigolds and sunflowers for cutting

purposes. Her tip for sunflowers is to seek the single-stemmed version that are pollen-less, if possible, as sunflower pollen can be a bit messy. Perennial plants, which return each year,

are another option for cut flower gardens. Native coneflowers, goldenrod and asters are good choices, as are some grasses for bouquet accent pieces, such as purple fountain grass, millet and

Northern sea oats. The pandemic has increased interest in gardening since many people are staying home, so garden centers may not always have all the usual plants in stock, Myers says. She

recommends keeping in touch to find out when shipments arrive. PLANT CARE TIPS To establish plants in their new homes, water at least weekly, and occasionally use a basic, organic fertilizer

to encourage blooms. Match the plant to your garden's condition, putting sun-loving flowers where they can catch all-day rays, while planting those that tolerate some shade in areas

that get mixed light. Most flowers prefer sun, but they will still bloom in light shade, Joy says, though they may not be as prolific. If you have a lot of deeply shady spots, forgo blossoms

that need all-day sun and consider flowering plants like delicate toad lilies and black snakeroot, Hayden says. Myers points out that colorful coleus has beautiful leaves, while hardy,

shade-loving hostas have flowers and leaves that can be used in bouquets. Getty Images MAKING ARRANGEMENTS Cut blooms often to encourage new flower formation and deadhead spent blooms that

remain on the plant. The best time of day to harvest flowers is in the morning when they are full of moisture. Select flowers just as the petals start to unfold to last longest in a vase.

The prettiest bouquets have a mix of flowers and greenery. To save money, consider small additions from common houseplants like a sprig of ivy or prayer plant, Myer says. To add structure

and scent to a bouquet, consider herbs and vegetables, such as dill, basil, lavender or rosemary, Joy adds. "Swiss chard has very pretty, heavy, shiny, crinkly leaves and the stems come

in all sorts of really incredible colors. Kale is also pretty, like a purple kale,” Joy says. Newly cut flowers can last seven to 10 days with frequent water changes. "Flowers are

great any time,” she says, “especially now that there's so much uncertainty in the world."