A cutting annual flower garden can be done in containers or in the ground. This type of garden is popular in containers, as you can create a mass of color around decks, pools, patios or other outdoor features. You can also consider doing a ground garden. I would recommend setting aside a specific area. You can do one separate bed, or a couple of rows in a combination garden of vegetables and herbs. Think about doing a mass setting with evergreen shrubs and trees as a back drop. Set aside an area that could produce a mass of color and fullness.

Selecting your annual flowers for this type of garden is as important as properly taking care of them. If you are unfamiliar with annual flowers in your geographic location, go ahead and research them, or head down to your local nursery or garden center. Plan out your color scheme, and think about the end result of a gorgeous array of color in containers or the ground. Below is a small list of some popular annual flowers that are adaptable to many different locations.

• Canna
• Chrysanthemum
• Coleus
• African Daisy
• Lackspur
• Pot Marigold
• Nasturtium
• Nicotiana
• Pansy
• Poppy
• Blue Salvia
• Scabiosa
• Sanpdragon
• Sweet Pea
• Vinca
• Zinnia

You can also consider some ornamental grasses for your cutting garden. Remember when choosing your colors, go ahead and match them up with other features such as siding, brick, stones, or shutter colors. Think about doing a variety of colors, or use this focal point doing just a couple of colors. Once you have planted your flowers and they have matured, it is important to know when to cut the flowers. Most people create this type of garden for enjoying the flowers indoors.

Always select flowers that are in the early stages of bloom, or the bud has not opened at all. If you see buds that are in a later stage, you should discard these blooms. The reason for this is the plants will lose their strength and also the formation of new seeds down the road. In order to obtain the longest use of each flower, pick them in the early morning. Use a sharp knife and cut at an angle, and always cut above where another bud is, or where a side shoot is beginning to form. The result of this will be the plants energy will be forced into providing you with additional blooms.

Place the flowers in water and bring them inside as soon as possible. Remove the lower leaves of each flower and put them back in the water. At this time you have the option of doing an arrangement right away, or you can store the flowers in a cool location for arranging at a later date. An important tip I have found from doing arrangements, is to make sure you always trim off the leaves that are underwater. If you don't, two things will happen. One is the leaves will rot and the smell will become unpleasant. The other by leaving the leaves on, it shortens the life of the flower by clogging the stem cells.

Here are a few tips when you want to pick and arrange annual flowers for a bouquet or an arrangement in a vase, or containers.

• Choose flowers with buds that are in early bloom


• Make sure your colors blend well and if you have clashing colors, put some white flowers or a solid color foliage in between them.


• Never cut flowers all at one length. Small flowers should have their stems longer, and larger flowers should have shorter stems.


• Go ahead and mix different sizes and forms in one bouquet or container.


• If you are doing an informal look, use a taller vase that is narrow at the top than the bottom.


• A great accent, is to match up your vase or container with the colors of the flowers.

This style of garden doesn't have to be complicated and a lot of work. Proper planning, and using the right varieties in your arrangements, will give you lasting beauty throughout the growing season. Plan this type of garden to use when entertaining family and friends, or just have fresh flowers available for your enjoyment. If you have done a this type of garden, or have created your own arrangements, go ahead and share what flowers you did with others visitors. Download a picture so we can see your work. We would love to see and hear about your cut flowers.

Proper planning, and using the right varieties in your arrangements, will give you lasting beauty throughout the growing season. Plan this type of garden to use when entertaining family and friends, or just have fresh flowers available for your enjoyment. If you have done a cutting garden, or have created your own arrangements, go ahead and share what flowers you did with others visitors. Download a picture so we can see your work. We would love to see and hear about your cut flowers.

A cutting garden doesn't have to be complicated and a lot of work. Proper planning, and using the right varieties in your arrangements, will give you lasting beauty throughout the growing season. Plan this type of garden to use when entertaining family and friends, or just have fresh flowers available for your enjoyment. If you have done a cutting garden, or have created your own arrangements, go ahead and share what flowers you did with others visitors. Download a picture so we can see your work. We would love to see and hear about your cut flowers.