Blending Beauty and Function: Landscaping Plants for Cutting Gardens
My journey into the world of flowers didn’t start with a dedicated cutting garden. It all began when we moved to our current home and started working on our landscaping. I quickly became fascinated with plants that not only enhanced our outdoor space but also made beautiful additions to floral arrangements. A few years later, I started our first true cutting garden, but I always wanted the two to flow together seamlessly. Now, we have what I call Flower-Farm-Cottage-Cutting-Gardens, where landscape plants and cutting flowers intertwine.
Unlike traditional flower farms where plants are often grown in neat, straight rows for efficiency, our approach embraces a more organic, free-flowing design. While this can present challenges for harvesting and organization, the aesthetic and functionality for our situation make it well worth the effort.
The Best Landscaping Plants for Cutting (in my experience)
Allium – Unique, globe-shaped blooms that add whimsy to the garden and structure to arrangements. Pollinators are obsessed with them!
Astilbe – Feather-like plumes in soft pastel hues that offer a romantic touch in both settings.
Baptisia – A perennial with tall spikes of flowers and beautiful foliage that lasts all season. This is a native plant in our zone and also loved by the pollinators!
Coralberry – A shrub with vibrant berries that adds texture and interest to bouquets.
Hydrangeas – Lush, long-lasting blooms that thrive in the landscape and are a florist favorite.
Ninebark – Deep-colored foliage and delicate blooms that provide great contrast.
Peonies – Classic, fragrant flowers that are a must-have for any cutting garden. I am lucky enough to have some from both of my grandmas gardens and a few that were gifted to me from a garden friend, I love plants with history!
Phlox – A cottage garden staple with clusters of fragrant flowers.
Roses – We don’t have a lot, but a few are enough! Roses are beautiful both in the garden and in arrangements.
Sedum – A hardy plant that provides late-season blooms and striking texture. And so easy to propogate to create more!
Weigela – A flowering shrub with arching stems covered in trumpet-shaped blooms.
Whether you're a home gardener looking to maximize your plantings or a flower farmer interested in diversifying your crops, incorporating dual-purpose plants is a rewarding approach. Our Flower-Farm-Cottage-Cutting-Gardens continue to evolve, and I look forward to discovering even more plants that thrive in both roles.
