When you think of cut flower farming, you might immediately conjure images of zinnias, sunflowers, and dahlias. These classic beauties reign supreme in the cut flower world.
However, every cut flower garden craves a touch of greenery amidst the focal flowers! Greenery adds texture and intrigue to bouquets and arrangements, making it an absolute must-have for any cut flower garden.
Thankfully, growing greenery is a breeze. You may already be cultivating wonderful cut flower foliage in your garden without realizing it.
Here’s my secret to crafting breathtaking bouquets—herbs! Yes, herbs can be superb cut flowers and bring a delightful fragrance to your arrangements.
In our growing lineup, herbs are always in the spotlight. These versatile botanicals transform the game in floral design, fulfilling specific requirements that both designers and growers cherish:
- Productivity and vigor: Herbs are workhorses, producing abundantly throughout the growing season. Easy to grow from seeds, they rapidly flourish into a lush forest of foliage.
- Longevity in the vase: Herbs, like basil, hold their own in the vase, sometimes even rooting and blending harmoniously with any other material. Their endurance is commendable.
- Unique design elements: Among their unique properties, herbs have an enticing scent that captivates. For instance, basil’s spicy-sweet aroma fills the air, drawing people in to uncover the source of its captivating fragrance.
Beyond their contributions to the kitchen table, herbs deserve recognition in cut flower arranging. Take basil, for instance—my personal favorite. This fantastic herb graces every arrangement, centerpiece, mason jar, and mixed bouquet throughout our growing season.
Moreover, herbs’ hardiness, toughness, and, in some cases, perennial nature make them even more invaluable as crops.
Their familiarity to people—most can easily identify basil, mint, sage, and rosemary in an arrangement—makes them excellent conversation starters, captivating viewers and enhancing their overall experience.
Let us delve deeper into these enchanting properties and discover the magical world of herbs.
The herbs lend a romantic and pastoral aesthetic to arrangements, imbuing them with an elegant charm that fits seamlessly.
Herbs offer an effortless solution if you seek to infuse your arrangements with a “fresh from the garden” appeal.
A mere sprig of flowering basil, a solitary stem of sage, or a captivating bundle of rosemary can elevate an arrangement to new heights, imbuing it with an abundance of character and allure.
These simple additions wield the power to elevate your designs, making a lasting impression on anyone who beholds their captivating beauty.
Herbs That Make Excellent Cut Flowers
Basil
Among the enchanting lineup of botanical wonders, basil stands tall as my personal favorite. This annual herb offers an easy journey from seed to flourishing plant, making it equally delightful in culinary and cut flower applications.
While basil’s delectable leaves often find their way into mouthwatering pesto dishes, its versatile stems add a fragrant touch to any bouquet. The herb’s exceptional vase life is a true marvel, with some stems rooting in water, allowing for replanting and a continuous growth cycle.
In the realm of floral design, basil proves to be an indispensable asset. Its broad leaves showcase an array of captivating colors, from dark veining to fresh green, depending on the cultivar.
Paired with its subtle and refreshing scent, this foliage becomes an excellent arrangement choice. Although hydrating basil in scorching summer temperatures can be challenging, careful attention ensures it bounces back and remains resilient.
Cutting from a single plant throughout the summer is possible, but it’s best to harvest mature woody stems early in the morning. Basil thrives in part-shade in the south and full sun in the north.
While it succumbs to the first frost, its natural reseeding ability offers a fresh start in the following season. Sowing a handful of seeds in spring ensures a bountiful supply of new plants. Just a word of caution: avoid placing basil in the cooler, as it may turn black.
For us, basil is the ultimate filler and foliage material, a beloved staple grown and harvested throughout the growing season.
We cultivate endless rows of this herb, filling buckets with its fragrant bounty for use in various arrangements, from mixed bouquets to centerpieces and bridal bouquets.
The spicy-sweet scent, the delicate lavender flowers, the glossy and resilient leaves, the long and slender stems boasting an impressive vase life—what’s not to love?
The diverse basil world encompasses numerous varieties, each offering its unique charm. Surprisingly, the classic ‘Genovese’ basil holds up remarkably well as a cut flower.
By allowing it to bloom, the flavor profile for the herb may diminish, but the white flowers and vibrant green foliage make it a perfect summer foliage choice.
I adore ‘Cinnamon,’ a Thai-type basil with captivating dark purple and green leaves, accompanied by dark purple calyxes and light-lilac blooms. Its tall stature and heady scent make it truly captivating.
Additionally, we cherish ‘Lemon’ with its light chartreuse-colored leaves and elegant white and lime-colored flowers, along with ‘Dark Opal’ showcasing larger leaf sizes and striking dark purple – almost black – coloration.
