Go-to cut flowers in summer - Part 4: Favourite annual flowers

Go-to Cut Flowers in Summer

Part 4: Favourite Annual Flowers

For this lesson we have prepared a selection of our favourite annuals. Planted in February and March, they give us pleasure through most of the year, and while some will be over by summer, others will continue flowering until November.

Gypsophila (common name: baby's breath)

Having had mixed results with traditional Gypsophila in the past, we are now growing Gypsophila elegans, which produces delicate, more open flowers than the traditional Gypsophila. We have even used this variety to great effect at a wedding where all floral decorations were composed exclusively of Gypsophila.

Papaver (common name: poppy)

These delicate, romantic blooms are traditionally associated with wild meadows, which, unfortunately, have almost disappeared from our landscape since the last war. If you are able to have them in your garden, you have a choice - besides the simple red poppy - of peachy, creamy or yellow poppies. We like using poppy 'Champagne Bubbles', which we include in arrangements with peonies and roses. To harden the petals and prolong their life, we recommend searing the stems briefly (5 sec) in boiling water. Although poppies may not be the easiest plants to germinate, we feel they are well worth the effort. You can grow poppies from seeds or buy seedlings from Sarah Raven's and other nurseries.

Cosmos (common name: cosmos)

If you plan to have only one annual in your garden, we recommend our favourite cosmos, 'Purity', which grows to more than 1.2m and is particularly suitable for interplanting with peonies. Another excellent, smaller cosmos is the 'Dazzler' variety. Like all cosmos, 'Purity' and 'Dazzler' need full sun and must be regularly deadheaded to flower well.

Celia, Phacelia (common name: green manure)

Celia is not only good for the soil but is also highly attractive to bees and serves as a useful cut flower.

Foeniculum vulgare (common name: fennel)

Fennel tends to be grown predominantly for food, but when the plant goes to seed after flowering, it makes a very effective addition to flower arrangements; it's also useful as a filler or for interplanting with peonies.

Petroselinum crispum (common name: flat-leaf parsley)

Parsley is a low-growing biennial herb, but we treat it as an annual and sow it every year in rows to line the flower and vegetable beds. Parsley develops tiny white florets, which can be useful in arrangements.

Pastinaca sativa (common name: parsnip)

Although it's grown mainly for food, parsnip's spectacular height and strong stems can add interest to floral arrangements; it is one of our top favourite kitchen garden plants.

Nicotiana (common name: tobacco plant)

This is a very pretty plant available in different varieties, and all except one (Nicotiana mutabilis) have a very pleasant scent. It works well in mixed arrangements.

Centaurea cyanus (common name: cornflower)

It's easy to grow this classic English meadow flower in rows in the garden, where it will produce - in addition to the traditional blue cornflowers - white, pink and crimson blooms.

Antirrhinum (common name: snapdragon)

This is another easy-to-grow annual. It's pretty, available in many colours, and particularly suitable for 'cottage-type' arrangements; we grow it from seeds and pick it often. Snapdragons like to be picked - the more you pick, the more you get.

Plant Directory

• Antirrhinum - common name: snapdragon
• Celia, Phacelia - common name: green manure
• Centaurea cyanus - common name: cornflower
• Cosmos - common name: cosmos
• Foeniculum vulgare - common name: fennel
• Gypsophila - common name: baby's breath
• Nicotiana - common name: tobacco plant
• Papaver - common name: poppy
• Petroselinum crispum - common name: flat-leaf parsley
• Pastinaca sativa - common name: parsnip

Plant Suppliers

UK

• Sarah Raven
• J. Parkers
• Burford Garden Co.
• Chiltern Seeds
• Mr Fothergill's
• Crocus
• Thompson Morgan

US

• Nature Hills
• High Country Gardens
• Wilcox Nursery
• Prairie Moon Nursery
• Nasami Farm
• Central Coast Wilds