Home-Cultivated Flowers Creating Breathtaking Arrangements
Seasonal Guide to Growing Stunning Bouquet Flowers
Emily Patrick, the founder and owner of Carolina Flowers, has a passion for flowers, particularly her favourite - the anemone. This passion led her to start her eighth-generation flower farm in 2016, transforming an old tobacco field into a blooming oasis. Today, Carolina Flowers leases a 35-acre farm, employing a team of 14 people and a tractor.
The farm's success is built on a deep understanding of the best flowers to grow for homegrown bouquets, which vary by season. Here's a guide to help you grow the best bouquet flowers year-round, complete with practical cultivation tips tailored to each flower type and season.
Spring
Top choices for spring bouquets include daffodils, tulips, and lilacs. To ensure a vibrant display, plant bulbs like daffodils and tulips in well-drained soil during fall. Lilacs prefer full sun and well-draining soil; prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage blooms.
Summer
Zinnias, sunflowers, daisies, cosmos, rudbeckia, coral snapdragons, dahlias, and marigolds are ideal for summer bouquets. Zinnias and marigolds thrive in full sun and well-draining soil; deadheading spent blooms encourages continuous flowering. Sunflowers need full sun and rich, well-drained soil; support tall varieties with stakes. Dahlias require rich, moist soil and regular watering; they perk in sunny spots but need staking due to heavy blooms. Cosmos and rudbeckia tolerate poor soil and require minimal care; deadhead to prolong bloom time.
Autumn
Strawflower, scabiosa, heirloom roses, dahlias, celosia, yarrow, and seven son plant provide warm, vintage, and textured autumn bouquets. Strawflowers and celosia flourish in sunny, well-drained areas and tolerate heat. Scabiosa prefers full sun and moderately fertile soil; remove faded flowers to promote new blooms. Seven Son Plant is a late summer to autumn flowering shrub that needs full sun and is low maintenance, producing abundant fragrant white flowers followed by colorful bracts.
Winter
Ranunculus, dried flowers, pinecones, olive branches, and locally foraged greenery create cozy, creative winter arrangements. Ranunculus bulbs should be planted in fall in cool climates with well-drained soil; they thrive in full sun and benefit from regular watering. Foraged elements require minimal care but add natural texture and seasonal interest.
Additional Growing Tips
- Most flowering plants for bouquets require full sun (6+ hours daily) and well-draining soil.
- Deadheading (removing spent blooms) is crucial for many summer and autumn flowers to extend blooming season, although some like the seven son plant do not require it.
- Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging.
- Support tall flowers like sunflowers and dahlias with stakes to prevent breakage.
- Soil preparation: Enrich soil with compost or organic matter before planting to promote healthy growth.
Remember, supporting American-grown flowers is essential. About 80 percent of the flowers that are sold in the United States are grown overseas using toxic chemicals and shady labor practices. So, let's celebrate the beauty of homegrown flowers and enjoy the vibrant bouquets they offer throughout the year!
[1] Garden Myths: The Truth About Growing Flowers [2] The Ultimate Guide to Growing Flowers for Bouquets [4] How to Grow Cut Flowers for Bouquets [5] The Best Flowers for Bouquets: A Seasonal Guide
- Emily Patrick, the founder of Carolina Flowers, transformed an old tobacco field into a blooming oasis by planting an array of flowers such as anemones, tulips, daffodils, zinnias, sunflowers, and more.
- For stunning bouquet flowers in the spring, consider planting daffodils, tulips, and lilacs, and follow the tips for optimal growth in well-draining soil.
- In summer, choose zinnias, sunflowers, daisies, cosmos, rudbeckia, and marigolds for vibrant, long-lasting blooms, and provide them with full sun and well-draining soil for best results.
- To create warm, vintage, and textured autumn bouquets, grow strawflowers, scabiosa, heirloom roses, dahlias, celosia, yarrow, and seven son plant in sunny, well-drained areas.
- For cozy, creative winter arrangements, plant ranunculus bulbs in the fall or gather locally foraged elements like pinecones and olive branches to add natural texture and seasonal interest.
- Homegrown flowers, like those grown on American farms, are essential for a healthy lifestyle, and support for American-grown flowers helps combat the use of toxic chemicals and shady labor practices in the flower industry.
