• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
March 13, 2013

Make Arrangements Now for Arrangements Later

I’ve always maintained that one needs no reason for a fresh bouquet of flowers. It’s hard for us Canadians to keep this going on our own in the winter but in the summer, look out! This week I’m here to help you plan a cutting garden to brighten even the brightest rooms during the summer months.

The Obvious

The obvious cutting garden is planted in rows for maximum harvesting. The rows are spaced wide enough for easy access to the plants allowing for cutting, fertilizing, and (dare I say) weeding. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colours, textures, and shapes – this garden is here mainly to fulfill a purpose.

The Not-So-Obvious

This type of cutting garden is disguised to look like a regular backyard garden (or front or side yard for that matter). These can be something that you already have in your garden (that lilac tree, for example) or maybe you’re planning on creating a garden with that weekly bouquet of flowers in mind. There are no rows, and colours, textures, and shapes may matter (if you care about that sort of thing). Remember that diversity is the key to warding off those nasty predators (lily beetles, flea beetles, you name it).

Good Cut Flowers

There are a few characteristics that any cut flower needs to have:

1. Able to withstand wilting
2. Vibrant colour that lasts
3. Strong stem long enough to sit in a vase and reach the water
4. Fragrant (optional)

Here are some of my favourites for cutting:

Perennials

Lilac
Butterfly Bush
Asiatic Lily
Gladiola
Peony
Dahlia
Phlox
Hydrangea
Purple Coneflower
Iris

Annuals

Zinnia
Calendula
Sunflowers (a great variety of sizes and colours)
Cosmos
Snapdragon
Straw flower
Sage
Cornflower

My Top Tips:

Cut your flowers in the morning or evening when they are under the least amount of stress.

Bring a bucket of water into the garden with you to place the flowers in right away

Use a sharp knife to cut flowers to avoid crushing and pinching the stems

Never store your flowers and fruit together. Ethylene gas produced by ripening fruit (apples in particular) causes the flowers to ‘ripen’ as well, aging them quicker and giving them a shorter vase-life.

Remember to plant flowers with varying blooming times to keep a fresh bouquet all summer long.

blog_glad

← Previous post
Shrubs and Perennials – Great Combinations

Next post →
Oh Deer

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

Mark Cullen
16 Oct

Tune into @1059TheRegion to hear Ben talk fall colors today with Ann Rohmer or listen online at http://1059theregion.com/ and look for THE FEED

Reply on Twitter 1449275767133773824Retweet on Twitter 14492757671337738241Like on Twitter 14492757671337738244
8 Oct

Thank you so much to @globalnewsto for having @MarkCullen4 on the "Making a Difference" segment this week. Take a look at the broadcast here: https://globalnews.ca/video/8248858/national-charity-committed-to-inspiring-tree-planting-initiatives-across-canada

Reply on Twitter 1446542309101867034Retweet on Twitter 14465423091018670342Like on Twitter 14465423091018670343
29 Jun

Bird watching isn't just a hobby, it’s an opportunity to help. Gardening expert Mark Cullen explains.

https://nexthome.ca/news/bird-watching-isnt-just-a-hobby-its-an-opportunity-to-help/1284617/

@MarkCullen4

#garden #flowers #gardens #gardenlife #nature #gardenlove #birdwatching #birding #wildlife #birdlovers #birdlife #naturelovers #birdlover

Reply on Twitter 1409878268090716161Retweet on Twitter 14098782680907161615Like on Twitter 140987826809071616117
18 Jun

Written by @MarkCullen4 for @TorontoStar, check out the top eight picks for planting in hot spots.

#LandscapeOntario #GreenforLife #GardeningTips #GardeningTrends #TorontoGardens #SouthernOntarioGardening

https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/06/15/these-8-plants-are-heat-loving-sun-worshippers.html

Reply on Twitter 1405955991699701762Retweet on Twitter 14059559916997017622Like on Twitter 140595599169970176210

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑