As summer days wind down and the world prepares itself for the cold of winter there is still a lot of life and color in the garden. Bring some of this beauty indoors with these fabulous fall cutting flowers.
Chrysanthemum (Dendranthemum spp.) formerly (Chrysanthemum spp.) – Hardy zones 4-9. Chrysanthemums are available in a wide variety of flower colors and are great cut flower plants for autumn flower arrangements because the blooms will last between one and three weeks in a vase. Chrysanthemums prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. The sizes of chrysanthemum plants range from 1’-4’ tall and can be divided every three years. Cut stems when chrysanthemum flowers first open and split stem ends before placing in a vase if they are woody. ‘Clara Curtis’ is a pink, daisy-type flowering chrysanthemum.
Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’) – Hardy zones 3-9. ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum is one of the most popular cultivars in the sedum family because of the unique blooms. This large succulent perennial plant blooms beginning in the end of summer with bright pink buds. As the flowers open and mature through to frost the flower clusters darken to deep pink, maroon and finally a reddish brown. Cut ‘Autumn Joy’ flower stems at any point to bring inside and they will last more than a week in a vase. The sedum plant is drought tolerant once established and will grow in any well-drained soil. Divide only every five years or propagate through cuttings. ‘Autumn Joy’ prefers full sun. Any flower stalks not cut for autumn flower arrangements can be left on the plant for winter interest.
Perennial Sunflower (Helianthus spp.) – Hardy zones 3-10. Bright golden colored flowers make sunflowers a familiar icon of autumn gardens and these fall blooms are excellent cut flowers. Sunflower species plants can grow 5’ tall and will be less gangly if you pinch the perennial back in early spring to encourage bushier growth. The cheerful blooms attract butterflies in the garden, or can be cut as soon as they open to last several days in a vase.
Autumn Aster (Aster frikartii) – Hardy zones 5-10. Familiar summer and fall blooming perennial, the aster usually sports lavender or blue toned flowers with yellow centers. Plant asters in early spring and pinch back to encourage full growth and more flowers. Asters will form large, long-lived clumps that should be divided every 2 or 3 years. ‘Monch’ is a lovely lavender cultivar with 2’ tall multi-stemmed branches that hold many autumn blooms.
What success have you had using cut flowers from your garden (or your nieghbor's garden!)? See what happened to my brother and share your own story in the discussion thread.
More Cut Flower Plant Articles:
- Cool-Season Annual Cut Flowers
- Summer Annual Cut Flower Plants
- Summer Blooming Perennial Cut Flower Plants
