Cut flowers to sow for Summer

Despite the weather, May gives plenty of opportunity to start cut flower seeds for the summer ahead. Sowing seeds now gives time for a long and bountiful season, only finishing with the last frost.

This week I have been busy planting out the last of the Autumn sown seeds into the cut flower beds and sowing a late summer crop.

Here are some of my favourite cut flowers to sow now. You can sow into seed trays which I find helps to stagger a crop. If you are feeling brave sow directly into beds. I won’t lie panic has set in, I have been liberally scattering this week as a back up.

Let’s get onto the list…

Cosmos, cosmos, cosmos! These joyful beauties come in all sorts of different colours. I love Purity and always have a soft spot for a Picotee mix.

Sunflowers – So fast to grow but a huge favourite with the slugs. Plant three times the amount you need and I promise you’ll have them blooming until November.

Zinnias – I’ve had mixed results growing these, last year they were amazing so back on my list. Another favourite with the slugs but worth it.

Amaranth – These make any arrangement look extra special. There are so many different colours to choose from, which will you pick?

Dahlias – You can start tubers now or sow from seed. They make a late summer so special – note to self, give them lots of space.

Cornflowers – I always say I’ll go easy on these in my cutting beds. I have been scattering them amongst the roses in the hope of a dreamy meadow situation.

Let’s give special mention for herbs and edibles. This area of planting is so fun and has the potential for making your garden extra special.

I love to explore the different properties of each plant and if I wasn’t doing this as a business would mainly grow herbs and other magical plants!

Herbs and Edibles –  Mint and strawberry plants make the best foliage for small jam jar arrangements. I spend a lot of time searching for interesting varieties. I love learning about their healing properties and sneak a few more into the garden every year.

I hope this inspires you to give growing a try this year. My biggest learning is – there is a year for everything. Don’t give up if you don’t get instant success, gardening is all about learning and a having continuous curiosity. Give yourself time to learn and experience a few years outside and I promise you’ll be rewarded with flowers from the first daffodil to the last dahlia.