Annual Cut Flowers: Does the Variety Matter?

Annual flowers are a popular choice for gardeners and flower enthusiasts because they grow quickly and provide abundant, colorful blooms throughout the summer. But does the variety matter when it comes to annual cut flowers? Absolutely!

Different varieties of annual flowers offer diverse characteristics - from the shape and color of the flowers to the length of their blooming period and their resilience. For instance, zinnias, cosmos, mathiolas and china asters are excellent options for cut flowers, as they not only bloom beautifully but also last well in a vase. When choosing a variety, it’s important to consider whether you prefer lush, full blooms or simple, delicate flowers that add a soft touch to your bouquets.

The China Aster Lady Coral® series is a top choice for gardeners and florists alike, renowned for its large, fully double blooms that come in a stunning range of vibrant colors. These asters not only provide a striking visual impact but are also perfect for cut flower arrangements due to their long-lasting freshness and sturdy stems. Whether you want to brighten up your garden beds or create show-stopping floral displays, the Lady Coral® series offers unmatched versatility and beauty. With their impressive size and rich color palette, these asters are a must-have for anyone looking to add elegance and charm to their floral collection.

Weather-Resistant Varieties

The choice of variety also matters when you want to select flowers that are weather-resistant and bloom for extended periods, ensuring fresh cut flowers throughout the season. Opt for proven and high-quality varieties that are resilient while providing a stunning and impressive look for your garden and floral arrangements.

The Costa series of snapdragons is an excellent variety for cut flowers and garden beds. The flowers of this series are bright and resilient, providing long-lasting blooms throughout the season. The Costa snapdragons are known for their strong stems and dense flower clusters, which look stunning in both garden plantings and cut flower arrangements.

Disease Resistance

Specially bred seeds for cut flowers and plants have high disease resistance, which is a crucial factor when selecting planting material for the new gardening season. Firstly, this reduces the need for plant protection products, which is a positive aspect, as their usage is becoming increasingly restricted, and many of these products are prohibited in public landscapes. Secondly, healthy plants ensure that flowers and leaves remain intact and prevent issues like powdery mildew, which is beneficial for both gardeners and buyers of cut flowers.

By choosing high-quality seeds designed to resist diseases, many significant risks are minimized, ensuring beautiful and healthy blooms throughout the season. These varieties are developed to reduce the need for chemical treatments while providing resilience against harmful factors, offering a more sustainable and safer solution for gardening.

Matthiola incana "Iron" is a top choice for annual cut flowers. This early flowering, adaptability to short-day conditions, tall sturdy stems, and vibrant colors, making it ideal for florists and gardeners alike.

The Iron variety of stock flowers is truly an excellent choice for beginners, as the fact that the flower clusters do not require additional support and the double flowers are easier to identify at the seedling stage makes them very practical and easy to grow. We had a significantly higher number of double blooms with this variety compared to the Katz series, even though both were sorted!

All the photos show Iron variety stock flowers.

Choosing New Varieties with Unique Flower Colors or Foliage

Cut flowers with unusual colors are an excellent choice for those looking to stand out and create impressive, personalized bouquets. These varieties are not only beautiful but also resilient, making them suitable for both professional gardens and home gardens. By choosing seeds for such flowers, you can play with various color combinations to create a special atmosphere for each season.

Flowers with non-standard colors allow for experimentation with garden design, giving it a modern and original look. This way, every flower enthusiast can find a variety that best matches their taste and sense of style.

The Lathyrus odoratus Spring Sunshine Series is outstanding for greenhouse Cutflower production in late Spring. Long stems with many large undulating flowers.

No matter the style or color palette you prefer, choosing the right variety of annual flowers is essential to creating stunning cut flowers that will bring joy to you and your loved ones!