Planning a Perennial Cut Flower Garden
Posted by Jessie Jacobson on Mar 8th 2026
Planning a Perennial Cut Flower Garden
The joy of cut flowers harvested from your very own garden is hard to beat. Planting perennials for cut flowers is the secret to filling your garden with vibrant, long-lasting blooms that keep giving season after season.
Plant with purpose and you'll be able to step into the garden all season long to pick fresh, beautiful blooms and unique accents for bouquets without needing to replant every year.
Join Sheri and Amaya in the greenhouse in our Create a Cut Flower Garden video as they teach us their expert tips and tricks!
Getting Started
Now is the time to start cut flowers for the garden. Download our custom seed starting guide to get started!
If you need to explore the basics of seeds starting, start with our Seed Starting 101 and Winter Seed Sowing blogs, and Indoor Seed Sowing video!
Choose Perennials for All Season Color
Plant perennials with early, mid, and late season blooms to ensure a steady supply of cuttings all season long. Below is our must-have list of perennial favorites for your cutting garden!
Peony (Paeonia)
One of the most beloved of all flowers, peonies offer large, fragrant blooms in shades of pink, red, and white. Their lush petals and vibrant colors make them perfect for creating statement floral arrangements.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers' striking, daisy-like blooms in vibrant colors are not only beautiful but are a pollinator favorite. They’re hardy and easy to grow, making them an excellent choice for a low-maintenance cutting garden.
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Known for their tall, showy flower spikes, digitalis offer an array of colors that add height and drama to any arrangement. They bloom from mid-summer to fall, making them a long-lasting, fantastic option for a cutting garden.
Lavender (Lavendula)
Not only does lavender provide a fragrant and calming aroma, but its spikes of purple flowers are also beautiful in bouquets. It also dries beautifully for long-lasting arrangements.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum)
A classic cut flower, Shasta daisies bloom in early summer with their cheerful white petals and golden centers. They make great filler flowers in arrangements and are long-lasting.
Russian Sage (Perovskia)
With its tall, spiky lavender blooms and silvery foliage, Russian Sage adds texture and height to cut flower arrangements. It’s also a favorite of bees and butterflies.
Aster (Aster)
These late-blooming perennials provide a burst of color in the fall with their vibrant purple, pink, or white flowers. They make excellent filler flowers and pair well with other late-season blooms.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
With its golden-yellow petals and dark centers, Black-Eyed Susan is a reliable and cheerful cut flower that blooms from mid-summer to fall.
More Hot Tips
- Anchor your garden with medium sized shrubs that have both foliage and flower interest
- Choose perennials with multiple heights to create depth and interest
- Plant in large groups to maximize flower production
- Vary flower shape and size
- Plant flowers with fragrance
- Choose perennials with long bloom times, or that rebloom with deadheading
- Add plants with interesting foliage
- Always plant for pollinators too!
Harvest Time
- In general, flowers should be harvested before they are fully open, and before pollination
- Harvest flowers in the morning when they are cool and most hydrated
- Use a sharp knife and cut at a 45 degree angle
- Remove most of the foliage
- Place in cool, clean water for 2-3 hours
- Arrange in groups of 3 or 5 in your vessel of choice. Use a flower frog for some extra support if need be!
As always, we are obsessed with your success! We are happy to answer your questions in-store or at hello@tonkadale.com if you need a bit of help planning for your space.
Happy Growing!