Do you love having cut flowers in your home, but don’t love the cost of buying them every week at the market or florist? Consider creating your own cut flower garden to provide flowers all summer long!

Sure, your crocuses and hyacinths might already be blooming, not to mention those stars of spring…daffodils! Perhaps you’ve got your summer flower beds under way, with a scattering of perennials and some space left for your favorite annuals.

But if you have a spot to dedicate to specific flowers just begging to be displayed in a pretty pitcher in your home, you can have a working cut flower garden with a number of varieties to choose from.

You can start flowers (indoors) from seed now; and both perennials and annuals can be used. Check your area to determine when they can be transplanted outside, when there’s no longer a threat of frost. Typically you’ll want flowers that last longer when cut, and tend to have longer stems, so they fit well into vases. Most varieties prefer full sun or a mix of some shade and sun, and a healthy, nutrient soil.

Some of my favorite flowers to brighten up my rooms include Cosmos, Peonies, Statice, Salvia and Zinnias. But keep in mind there are so many options to choose from!

Once you’ve established your cutting garden, you can enjoy flowers in your home for months. An added bonus? You can share lovely bouquets with friends and neighbors to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other important celebrations.

Happy Growing!