Cut Above: 10 Clever Ideas for Creating a Cutting Garden
Bring the outside in by growing plants that are great for picking
Fresh flowers can instantly transform the plainest of rooms into a stylish, beautiful space. They connect us to the outdoors and nature bringing life and vitality to the house. Whether it’s a single rose, a few daisies or a bunch of exotic lilies, cut flowers are some of the loveliest and least expensive decorating tools you can find.
You don’t have to rely on your local florist to create gorgeous floral displays. Many popular cut flowers, such as kangaroo-paw and Leucadendron, are easy to grow and you can combine with attractive foliage, succulents or even seed pods to give them a contemporary twist. If you choose your plants wisely it’s possible to have something to pick in even the smallest of gardens. If you’re keen to grow your own plants for picking, here are 10 clever ideas to get you started.
You don’t have to rely on your local florist to create gorgeous floral displays. Many popular cut flowers, such as kangaroo-paw and Leucadendron, are easy to grow and you can combine with attractive foliage, succulents or even seed pods to give them a contemporary twist. If you choose your plants wisely it’s possible to have something to pick in even the smallest of gardens. If you’re keen to grow your own plants for picking, here are 10 clever ideas to get you started.
2. Drama queens
Kangaroo-paw (Anigozanthos) is probably one of the most well-known and striking flowers native to Australia. It’s a short-lived perennial that normally only lasts about three seasons, but its dramatic blooms and drought tolerance make up for its lack of longevity. Well-drained soil is a must, along with plenty of sun.
Kangaroo-paw (Anigozanthos) is probably one of the most well-known and striking flowers native to Australia. It’s a short-lived perennial that normally only lasts about three seasons, but its dramatic blooms and drought tolerance make up for its lack of longevity. Well-drained soil is a must, along with plenty of sun.
3. Leave it be
Interesting foliage can make all the difference to both outdoor gardens and indoor floral displays, giving balance to bold and bright flowers. For a contemporary look, contrast traditional blooms with native foliage such as the eucalyptus leaves above. Remember mature foliage lasts longer than young shoots.
Interesting foliage can make all the difference to both outdoor gardens and indoor floral displays, giving balance to bold and bright flowers. For a contemporary look, contrast traditional blooms with native foliage such as the eucalyptus leaves above. Remember mature foliage lasts longer than young shoots.
4. Making scents
No cutting garden would be complete without at least one or two scented plants. If you live in a cooler area consider planting fragrant lilac (above), roses and daphne bushes. Frangipani is a must for those in warmer regions; pick small branches or try floating single flowers in a bowl of water. If you have a small garden or balcony then try potted spring bulbs with a delightful perfume such as crocus, hyacinth, narcissus, tuberose and freesias.
No cutting garden would be complete without at least one or two scented plants. If you live in a cooler area consider planting fragrant lilac (above), roses and daphne bushes. Frangipani is a must for those in warmer regions; pick small branches or try floating single flowers in a bowl of water. If you have a small garden or balcony then try potted spring bulbs with a delightful perfume such as crocus, hyacinth, narcissus, tuberose and freesias.
5. Call me old-fashioned
While it’s fun to try out new ideas when picking flowers and fauna there’s something very special about old favourites such as hydrangeas, roses and lilies. Hydrangeas are easy to grow and their blowzy blooms should be picked when colour is strong and blooms full size, as flowers will wilt if picked too young.
Roses (hybrid teas are best for cutting) and lilies need a reasonable amount of TLC to produce beautiful blooms, but it’s worth it; homegrown flowers always seem to have much more scent than the mass-produced varieties.
Peonies are another tried-and-true plant grown for both flowers and foliage. They’re best in cooler regions as they need a cold winter to promote flowering.
If you love old-fashioned blooms but don’t want an old-fashioned garden, try devoting just one specific area to some picking flowers.
While it’s fun to try out new ideas when picking flowers and fauna there’s something very special about old favourites such as hydrangeas, roses and lilies. Hydrangeas are easy to grow and their blowzy blooms should be picked when colour is strong and blooms full size, as flowers will wilt if picked too young.
Roses (hybrid teas are best for cutting) and lilies need a reasonable amount of TLC to produce beautiful blooms, but it’s worth it; homegrown flowers always seem to have much more scent than the mass-produced varieties.
Peonies are another tried-and-true plant grown for both flowers and foliage. They’re best in cooler regions as they need a cold winter to promote flowering.
If you love old-fashioned blooms but don’t want an old-fashioned garden, try devoting just one specific area to some picking flowers.
6. Going troppo
Exotic flowers, such as anthurium, bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), frangipani, gardenia, orchid, heliconia (above), many ginger species, lotus and water lily have long been popular in floral work. Although you need warmer temperatures for most of these, some can be grown in pots to be brought inside during winter, or positioned against a north-facing wall. Many orchids and water lilies are tolerant of colder weather, too.
Subtropical leaves such as palm fronds are also very hot right now, as is the foliage of Monstera, magnolia, aspidistra, angelica and flax.
Exotic flowers, such as anthurium, bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), frangipani, gardenia, orchid, heliconia (above), many ginger species, lotus and water lily have long been popular in floral work. Although you need warmer temperatures for most of these, some can be grown in pots to be brought inside during winter, or positioned against a north-facing wall. Many orchids and water lilies are tolerant of colder weather, too.
Subtropical leaves such as palm fronds are also very hot right now, as is the foliage of Monstera, magnolia, aspidistra, angelica and flax.
7. Branching out
It’s not only leaves that can be picked for floral displays. The stems of many plants are equally attractive. Think bamboo, reeds, lichen-covered branches or twisted kiwi fruit or grape vines. Whatever you decide to use, think about the form, height and colours of the materials when combining in a display.
It’s not only leaves that can be picked for floral displays. The stems of many plants are equally attractive. Think bamboo, reeds, lichen-covered branches or twisted kiwi fruit or grape vines. Whatever you decide to use, think about the form, height and colours of the materials when combining in a display.
8. Africana
Some of the most stunning flowering shrubs come from Africa and many, such as this Leucadendron, last for ages when picked which is why florists love them. You’ll need free-draining soil, good air circulation and sun in your garden for these African beauties, but apart from that they need little care and attention.
Leucadendron produce colourful bracts (or terminal leaves) around quite small flowers. Most species are multi-branching shrubs growing to a height of 1-2 metres.
Protea species produce spectacular large blooms in a multitude of hues including cream, rose pink, red, yellow, peach and silvery green. Shrubs flower mainly in winter through to spring, and most are tolerant of light frosts. King protea is the most spectacular of the species.
Leucospermum flowers are pincushion-shaped in yellow, red or orange, starting in early spring and continuing through summer. Mature shrubs are real show stoppers, often covered in hundreds of bright-coloured blooms. You’ll have flowers in the house for weeks if you plant a Leucospermum.
Some of the most stunning flowering shrubs come from Africa and many, such as this Leucadendron, last for ages when picked which is why florists love them. You’ll need free-draining soil, good air circulation and sun in your garden for these African beauties, but apart from that they need little care and attention.
Leucadendron produce colourful bracts (or terminal leaves) around quite small flowers. Most species are multi-branching shrubs growing to a height of 1-2 metres.
Protea species produce spectacular large blooms in a multitude of hues including cream, rose pink, red, yellow, peach and silvery green. Shrubs flower mainly in winter through to spring, and most are tolerant of light frosts. King protea is the most spectacular of the species.
Leucospermum flowers are pincushion-shaped in yellow, red or orange, starting in early spring and continuing through summer. Mature shrubs are real show stoppers, often covered in hundreds of bright-coloured blooms. You’ll have flowers in the house for weeks if you plant a Leucospermum.
9. Succulents
Succulents such as Echeveria (above) mother-in-law’s tongue (sansevieria) and Senecio can also be used to stunning effect in floral displays. When you’ve had enough of them inside use as cuttings to grow more plants outdoors in pots or the garden, depending on your weather and soil conditions. Remember most succulents need protection from frost and very well-drained soil.
Succulents such as Echeveria (above) mother-in-law’s tongue (sansevieria) and Senecio can also be used to stunning effect in floral displays. When you’ve had enough of them inside use as cuttings to grow more plants outdoors in pots or the garden, depending on your weather and soil conditions. Remember most succulents need protection from frost and very well-drained soil.
10. Winter rose
When there’s not much from the garden to pick in winter try planting shade-loving hellebore, aka winter rose. Ideal for planting under trees most hellebore are tolerant of frost. Depending on the variety, flowers can be white or shades of purple, pink and green. The foliage of winter rose is also very attractive and can be used in floral work.
TIPS FOR LONG-LASTING CUT FLOWERS
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When there’s not much from the garden to pick in winter try planting shade-loving hellebore, aka winter rose. Ideal for planting under trees most hellebore are tolerant of frost. Depending on the variety, flowers can be white or shades of purple, pink and green. The foliage of winter rose is also very attractive and can be used in floral work.
TIPS FOR LONG-LASTING CUT FLOWERS
- Cut stems immediately before putting in clean, cool water.
- Add a small teaspoon of bleach to the water.
- Remove bottom leaves so they don’t rot in the water.
- Change water every day, if possible.
- Avoid hot, sunny or dry positions (such as beside a heat source).
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There are more than 25,000 species of Australian native flowers with many still to be identified. While only a few are used for floristry, they’re popular all around the world, particularly well-known flowering species such as the beautifully scented boronia or the dramatic waratah.
Not so well-known, but equally lovely, is the New South Wales Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum), used here for a wreath to mark the festive season. This small tree or shrub produces red-coloured flower calyces around Christmas time and many new cultivars are coming onto the market now in in Australia.