What is a cut flower garden?

There are so many different types of gardens you can plant in your very own backyard, but a cut flower garden, or a cutting garden, is specifically for growing beautiful flowers to harvest. Cut flower gardens can be planted in containers or straight into the ground.

We wanted our own cutting garden to beautify some bare space by our chicken coop and maternity pasture, so we planted ours right into the ground. While you can plant either annuals (produces flowers for one season only) or perennials (plants that will return after winter), we went with perennials so that we could have gorgeous, vibrant flowers year after year. We used some of our favorite blooms from Van Zyverden, which we found at Walmart, not only are these flowers going to be absolutely beautiful, but they were SUPER affordable.

How do you plan a cut flower garden?

Before you can even start tilling up your garden soil, consider what type and color flowers you want to have in your cutting garden. Remember that some plants will have longer stalks than others, and be sure to think about what colors you’d like to see blooming in your cut flower garden- we chose a good mix of pink, red, and orange blooms!

Next, you’ll want to pick a good spot to keep your cut flower garden and evaluate how much sun each bed will get. For example: the flower bed beside our chicken coop gets partial shade, whereas the area behind our coop gets full sun- so we needed to choose blooms that would respond well to each environment. Additionally, pick a place where water can drain easily so your flowers don’t become overwatered.

Keep in mind that since some flowers in your cutting garden will grow taller than others, so before you put your bulbs into the soil, plan your layout so that taller flowers are behind the shorter ones.

Now you’re ready to clear out any grass or weeds that are in your planned cut flower garden, and till the soil so it’s easy to work with and plant your bulbs. You’ll also want to make sure that the soil you’re using is good quality, good soil grows healthier flowers! I recommend using organic compost, which you can find at any store that carries gardening supplies, or if you’re a homesteader like me, you probably have your own compost to use! Be sure to fertilize your soil before you plant your flowers. Finish off your soil by watering it.

Now your plants are ready to be planted! Keeping your cutting garden plans in mind, dig 3-6 inch holes for your flowers to be planted in. Smaller bulb need to be plated closer to the surface of the soil, about 3 inches, while larger bulbs or tubers should be planted deeper, about 6 inches. Additionally, larger bulbs need more space in between their neighbors, whereas smaller bulbs need to be closer to other plants.

How do you care for Van Zyverden flowers?

My favorite thing about Van Zyverden brand flower bulbs is just how easy they are to care for! Not only do they have planting and care tips directly on the package, but you can scan a QR code on the package for more information about your flowers. This brand is ridiculously affordable, and is conveniently stocked at Walmart!

Van Zyverden is perfect for your cut flower garden because of the wide array of flowers to choose from!

For our cut flower garden we used the following plants, ALL from Van Zyverden!

• Van Zyverden Dahlias Decorative Mixed Set of 14 Bulbs Mixed Part Sun

• Dinnerplate Dahlia Super Mix

• Pure Happiness Decorative Dahlia – 2 Root Clumps

• Van Zyverden Freesias Double Blooming Mixed Set of 25 Bulbs Multi-Color Part Sun

• Van Zyverden Daylilies Kitchen Sink Breeder’s Mixture Set of 12 Plant Roots Mixed Part Sun

• Van Zyverden Longest Blooming Hardy Geranium Rozanne Set of 1 Plant Root Blue Part Sun

• Van Zyverden Cannas Phaison Set of 6 Bulbs Orange Part Sun

• Van Zyverden Lilies Oriental Stargazer Set of 7 Bulbs Pink Part Sun

• Van Zyverden Lilies Dutch Asiatic Mixture Set of 14 Bulbs Assorted Part Sun

• Van Zyverden Best Pastel Blend Set of 25 Bulbs Multi-Color Part Sun

• Van Zyverden Gladiolus Colossal Large Sized Flowering Rainbow Mixed Set of 12 Bulbs Multi-Color Part Sun

Need more information? Check out my YouTube video!

Van Zyverden, Inc.