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Plant\nselection should reflect the gardener\u2019s preferences, which might be based on\npersonal favorites, intended combinations of blossom colors, or other criteria.\nUnless the gardener has particular plants in mind, the initial plant selection\nmight be based on expert recommendations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best source I know for such recommendations is Debra Prinzing<\/a>, advocate for American-grown flowers, author of The 50 Mile Bouquet<\/em> and Four Seasons of Locally Grown Bouquets from the Garden, Meadow and Farm<\/em>. Here are her current top ten picks for summer bouquets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the gardener has selected plants for the cutting garden, the options are to buy and install small plants at a garden center, or plant seeds. Buying small plants involves paying someone for starting the plants from seed, so it\u2019s faster and more expensive than growing your own. But choices could be limited Planting seeds requires less expense, and also provides access to a wide range of options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeds should\nbe planted at the right time of the season. Some seeds should be started\nindoors in early spring; others are best planted in the ground in early spring,\nearly summer, or mid-summer\/early fall. This month is still a good time to\nstart certain seeds for a cutting garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An excellent source of recommendations for seasonal planting of seeds for flowering plants is local expert Renee Shepherd. For a timely list of flowers to plant now, browse to her website<\/a>, click on \u201cGardening Resources\u201d and search \u201cTime to plant Renee\u2019s Garden Seeds.\u201d Her seeds are among those on display in garden centers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seed packets typically have brief instructions for successful planting of seeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Flowering plants that have multiple, branching stems will produce maximum yield of good quality flowers with long stems when their primary stems are cut back (\u201cpinched\u201d) at an early stage of growth. Examples include carnation, cosmos, dahlia, and snapdragon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pinching is\nnot appropriate for plants that produce just one flower per plant. Examples of\nsuch plants include flax, stock, and single-stemmed sunflowers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Growing your own flowers for bouquets and floral\narrangements is one of the most satisfying garden activities. A good time to\nstart your own unique cutting garden, and beginning to gain experience and\nenjoy the process, is mid summer\/early\nfall. That\u2019s right now! <\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An ornamental garden, as contrasted with an edible garden, often will yield a number of blossoms suitable for occasional floral arrangements. To produce blossoms specifically for indoor display, however, the gardener needs to develop and maintain a cutting garden. A … Continue reading