Erin’s Favorite Cut-Flower Farming Books
I first caught the bug for growing a cut-flower garden in 2017 after discovering Floret Flower and Sweetwater Floral on Instagram. Seeing two women successfully growing flowers, openly sharing their knowledge, and encouraging others to do the same was truly inspiring!
While there are countless online resources, I still love having a real book in my hands—something I can flip through, mark my favorite pages, and scribble notes in. Below are the top three books that helped me start my flower garden and remain my go-to guides year after year.
1. Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein
Erin Benzakein is a leading expert in flower farming, and her first book is a must-have for beginners and experienced growers alike. It’s filled with gorgeous photography and step-by-step instructions covering everything from seed-starting and soil prep to harvesting and floral design.
Even after two full seasons of flower farming, I constantly find myself referring back to this book for guidance and inspiration.
2. Discovering Dahlias by Erin Benzakein
Dahlias have taken the flower world by storm, and this book provides everything you need to grow them successfully. Erin walks you through the entire process, from choosing the best varieties to planting, harvesting, and storing tubers.
This book is perfect for both beginners and those looking to expand their skills, offering advanced techniques like propagation through cuttings and tuber division. If you’re looking to grow show-stopping dahlias, this is your guide!
3. Cool Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler
Growing cool-season flowers can be tricky, but Lisa Mason Ziegler makes it simple. This book provides clear, step-by-step instructions for successfully growing flowers like Snapdragons and Sweet Peas.
Many gardeners make the mistake of starting these seeds too late, leading to a disappointing harvest. Lisa shares time-tested techniques to help you plant at the right time and extend your growing season. If you want early blooms and stronger plants, this book is a must-read!
Addendum: More Must-Read Books for Flower Farmers: January 2025
Since first writing this post, I have a few more years of flower farming experience under my belt, but I continue to refer back to these original three books. As I’ve expanded my knowledge, I’ve also added several new books to my collection that have been incredibly helpful. Here are a few newer reads that I highly recommend:
4. The Cut Flower Handbook: Select, Plant, Grow, and Harvest Gorgeous Blooms by Lisa Mason Ziegler
Lisa Mason Ziegler does it again with this comprehensive guide to growing cut flowers for home gardens and small-scale farms. This book covers selecting the best varieties, planting techniques, seasonal care, and harvesting tips to maximize your blooms. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, this book is packed with practical advice to help you grow healthier, longer-lasting flowers.
5. Specialty Cut Flowers, Second Edition by Allan Armitage & Judy Laushman
More detailed than the previous books, this is a comprehensive guide covering over 100 varieties of cut flowers. It provides information on cultivation, harvesting, and postharvest care, making it an essential resource for flower farmers looking to expand their offerings and improve quality for floral designers and markets.
6. The Cut Flower Sourcebook: Exceptional Perennials and Woody Plants for Cutting by Rachel Siegfried
This has been an invaluable resource as I’ve transitioned to growing more perennials. This book highlights a wide range of long-lasting, high-performing perennials and woody plants for cut flower production, offering detailed growing tips, harvest techniques, and design inspiration for a more sustainable flower farm.
I’ll keep updating this list as I discover more flower farming resources that help me grow better blooms!
Do you have a favorite flower farming book? Share it in the comments below!
