There’s something truly special about bringing fresh flowers from your own garden indoors. Whether you love arranging seasonal bouquets or just enjoy the beauty of homegrown blooms, growing your own cut flowers is rewarding and fun. In Iowa’s climate, many cut flowers thrive in the warm summer sun and cooler shoulder seasons
Top Cut Flowers to Grow in Iowa Gardens
- Zinnias These bright, cheerful annuals are incredibly easy to grow and bloom continuously from mid-summer until frost. Zinnias come in a rainbow of colors and hold up well in vases.
- Sunflowers A staple for any cut flower garden! Choose branching varieties for multiple blooms per plant. Sunflowers are also great for attracting pollinators and birds.
- Cosmos These delicate, daisy-like flowers bloom profusely and look airy and elegant in bouquets. They’re also low-maintenance and self-seed easily.
- Snapdragons love Iowa’s cool spring and fall weather. They’re one of the first cut flowers to bloom and offer a lovely vertical element in arrangements.
- Dahlias produce stunning blooms in many shapes and sizes. In Iowa, they need to be planted after the last frost and the tubers lifted in fall.
- Liaisanthus These rose-like flowers thrive in Iowa with the right care. They take longer to grow, but they’re a florist favorite for good reason.
- MarigoldsMarigolds are easy to grow, bloom abundantly, and provide vibrant pops of yellow and orange. Their sturdy stems make them ideal for cut arrangements, and they help repel pests in the garden.
Tips for a Thriving Iowa Cut Flower Garden
- Full Sun is Key: Most cut flowers need at least 6-8 hours of sun per day.
- Rich, Well-Draining Soil: Amend your soil with compost before planting.
- Stagger Your Plantings: To keep the blooms coming, plant in intervals.
- Support Tall Stems: Use flower netting or stakes to keep blooms upright.
- Harvest in the Morning: Cut flowers when it’s cool, and strip leaves that will sit below the waterline.
Let Nature Help with Seeds and Pollinators
If you let some of your early crops like lettuce and radishes “bolt,” they’ll flower and produce seeds. These flowers are great for pollinators and will help attract beneficial insects to your garden. Plus, the seeds can be collected and saved for next year’s planting.
Tips for Keeping Your Cut Flowers Fresh in a Vase
Bringing flowers indoors is one of the joys of gardening—but keeping them fresh can be tricky. Here are a few simple tips to help your homegrown bouquets last longer:
-
Cut Flowers Early in the Morning: Flowers are most hydrated in the morning, making this the best time to harvest.
-
Use Clean Tools & Vases: Always cut with sharp, clean scissors or pruners, and place your stems in a clean vase to prevent bacterial growth.
-
Strip Lower Leaves: Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline in your vase to reduce decay and keep water clear.
-
Change Water Daily: Fresh water helps prolong bloom life. Recut stems slightly every couple of days for better water uptake.
-
Use a Floral Preservative: Add a homemade or store-bought floral preservative to nourish your blooms and prevent bacteria.
-
Keep Arrangements Cool: Avoid placing bouquets in direct sunlight, near heat vents, or on top of appliances. A cool, shaded spot is ideal.
Whether you’re arranging vibrant zinnias or delicate lisianthus, these tips will help you enjoy your garden’s beauty indoors for as long as possible.
Find Your Flowers at Ted Lare Garden Center
We carry a beautiful selection of flower seeds, annuals, and perennials perfect for Iowa’s climate. Whether you’re just starting your cut flower journey or expanding your homegrown bouquets, our garden experts are here to help.
The post Easy Cut Flowers for Beginners to Grow in Iowa Gardens appeared first on Ted Lare – Design & Build.
