How to Grow the Best Types of Flowers for Bouquets

Feb 25, 2025

Did you know you can make stunning floral arrangements year-round using flowers planted in a cutting garden? Bouquets from homegrown flowers are just as beautiful as those from a store or florist — or, dare we say, even more beautiful? — for a fraction of the cost. We’ve been growing flowers in a cutting garden for quite some time now and have loved the results.

Every summer, I love seeing all the flowers at the farmer’s markets and the beauty that can be brought into the house. But, I must confess that I can’t afford $10-20 of flowers a week for months on end. So, I decided it was time to grow my own — the more I plant, the more excited I get about different varieties!

Our youngest Farm Girl has also taken to flower gardening and we enjoy them as much as our fresh veggies. This year, I wanted to put more effort into the planning so we could have even more flowers.

My favorite medicinal flower will always be calendula, but my favorite flower for bouquets is the rose. There are other great ones to enjoy, and with some simple planning, you can have flowers for a good part of the year — depending on what growing zone you live in.

Below, you’ll find our guide to the best, longest-lasting flowers for bouquets, organized by season and based on your growing zone.

With so many different types of flowers for bouquets, it can be hard to know which are the best flowers for a cutting garden. Here, we’ll introduce you to the most common flowers for bouquets, our best tips for growing them, and even ideas for a cut flower garden plan. You’ll soon be on your way to turning blooms into bouquets for any special occasion.

Why Create Your Own Cutting Garden

A cutting garden, or cut flower garden, is a special garden area meant for flowers that you can use to make floral arrangements. There are plenty of reasons why we recommend planting your own flower garden. I mean, what’s better than having access to fresh, beautiful flowers at all times?

Growing them yourself also allows you to save money. No more worrying about spending a fortune on store-bought flowers! Plus, you get to cultivate something beautiful from start to finish. Our family loves having our own flower garden — it helps us connect to God’s beautiful creations and explore so many different types of flowers for bouquets.

The Best Flowers for a Cutting Garden

What you decide to plant will depend on a few factors, such as the season, how often they bloom, and how well they last when cut and placed in a vase. Here are some of the most common flowers for bouquets, organized by season.

Winter

Pansies (Zones 4-8, Easy): These flowers' beautiful, vibrant colors make them a fan favorite for the winter season! Pansies do extremely well in cold weather and are easy to cut and arrange.
Camellias (Zones 7-9, Moderate): Known for their eye-catching, colorful blooms, camellias grow best in moderate temperatures and partial shade. While these flowers tend to grow slower than others, we think they’re worth the wait.
Hellebores (Zones 4-9, Easy): Also known as Lenten Roses, these elegant flowers bloom in late winter, providing color when little else does. They thrive in shade and well-drained soil.
Snowdrops (Zones 3-7, Easy): These delicate white flowers emerge through the snow, adding a soft beauty to the winter garden. They prefer cool temperatures and partial to full shade. (Source)
Cyclamen (Zones 4-8, Moderate): With their unique, upswept petals and silver-marbled leaves, hardy cyclamen add an elegant touch to winter gardens. They prefer cool temperatures and partial shade. (Source)

Spring

Tulips (Zones 3-8, Easy): Long, sturdy stems are especially great for arrangements. Tulips thrive in moderate climates and typically require little maintenance once planted, making them one of the best flowers for a cutting garden.
Peonies (Zones 3-8, Moderate): These flowers are a favorite for bouquets because of their large petals and intense fragrance. Peonies do best in cool temperatures, and well-drained soil is a must.
Daffodils (Zones 3-9, Easy): Bright and cheerful daffodils are one of the first signs of spring. They require full sun and well-drained soil and naturalize well over time.
Lilacs (Zones 3-7, Moderate): Known for their strong fragrance and beautiful clusters of purple, pink, or white blooms, lilacs thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Sweet Peas (Zones 6-9, Moderate): These delicate, fragrant flowers climb on trellises and make a charming addition to bouquets. They prefer cooler spring temperatures and rich, well-drained soil.

Summer

Sunflowers (Zones 4-9, Easy): Bright, cheery sunflowers make a beautiful addition to bouquets, and their height and sturdy stems make them easy to arrange. The best conditions include well-drained soil, full sun exposure, and warm weather.
Lavender (Zones 5-9, Easy): We love lavender flowers because of the rich purple color (my favorite color!), fragrance, and texture they add to bouquets. Much like sunflowers, well-drained soil, full sun, and warm temperatures are best for lavender.
Zinnias (Zones 3-10, Easy): These vibrant, long-lasting flowers thrive in hot weather and make excellent cut flowers. They require full sun and well-drained soil.
Dahlias (Zones 8-11, Moderate): Known for their stunning, intricate blooms, they come in various colors and sizes. They thrive in full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Cosmos (Zones 2-11, Easy): Light and airy, cosmos are easy to grow and provide continuous blooms throughout summer. They do best in full sun and tolerate poor soil conditions.

Fall

Chrysanthemums (Zones 5-9, Moderate): Mums bloom in a variety of colors and are known for their long-lasting blooms, placing them among the best types of flowers for bouquets. They should be planted in well-drained soil and have access to full sunlight for best results.
Marigolds (Zones 2-11, Easy): Fitting perfectly in your fall color palette, marigolds have bright blooms and sturdy stems that do well in bouquets. Warm temperatures, full sun, and well-drained soil are best for them.
Asters (Zones 3-8, Easy): These daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of purple, pink, and white, making them a great addition to autumn bouquets. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
Sedum (Autumn Joy) (Zones 3-9, Easy): With their rich pink and burgundy tones, sedum provides late-season color. They prefer full sun and are drought-tolerant.
Japanese Anemones (Zones 4-8, Moderate): These delicate, elegant flowers bloom in shades of white and pink, adding movement and beauty to fall arrangements. They prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.

Simple Cut Flower Garden Plan to Try

Start by selecting a few different varieties, ideally, ones that thrive in different seasons. Planting flowers that bloom at various times throughout the year will ensure that you have consistent access to different types of common flowers for bouquets.

If a certain variety comes in a range of colors, try to pair those with the blooming season. It will make it even easier to create color schemes that match holidays and events. Such as white for Easter and reds for Christmas.

Next, map out your cut flower garden plan based on your space and cutting needs. Some flowers grow quite tall or need more space around them as they mature, so consider that when choosing where to plant them. You may also want to think about grouping your flowers based on similar needs and growing conditions, making it easier to take care of them.

Types of Flowers for Bouquets Frequently Asked Questions

Which common flowers for bouquets last the longest?

Carnations, mums, lilies, and sunflowers are just a few examples of flowers that can hold up pretty well in bouquets. You’ll want to harvest your flowers at the right time and trim the stems properly to get the best life out of your booms.

What type of flowers should I avoid in arrangements?

Some flowers do not do as well as others in arrangements because of how quickly they wilt or how much pollen or sap they release. If you are sensitive to smells, it might be best to avoid overly fragrant blooms. Ultimately, the flowers to avoid will really come down to your personal preference and needs. Dandelions, poppies, morning glories, hydrangeas, and petunias are not ideal for bouquets due to their tendency to wilt, bruise, or have short-lived blooms.

How do I make my flower bouquets last?

Place your flowers in a vase filled with clean water and trim off any leaves that fall below the water line. It also helps to cut the stems at an angle and add some flower food—about two tablespoons of sugar and one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice per 1 quart of warm water. Also, keep your arrangement in a cool spot away from direct sunlight.

Blooming with Possibilities

There are so many different types of flowers for bouquets that you can grow at home, but the best flowers for your cutting garden will depend on the season, the unique qualities of each type of flower, and of course, your own ideas and preferences! Whatever you choose to grow, we hope you have fun in your garden and enjoy lots of beautiful bouquets in the coming days.

If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your garden and get it ready for growing cut flowers, be sure to check out our FREE Ebook on Affordable & Durable Raised Garden Box Plans!

Which flowers are you most excited to grow in your garden?

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