Some of Georgia’s Best Cut Flowers

By Paul A. Thomas

Georgia Extension Service

Here are just a few of the many wildflowers that produce
excellent cut flowers
in Georgia:

Bachelor’s button (Centaurea cyanus). Also
known as cornflower,
it’s common along roadsides and in fields. The naturalized
species is blue,
but white, pink and red strains exist. An annual, its short
flowering season
and five- to six-day vase life are worth it.

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.). Several
species are
common in Georgia, including R. laciniata, R.
fulgida and R.
hirta. Also known as coneflower, the disk flowers are
yellow to gold, sometimes
with red at the base. The flower lasts only a few days in a
vase, but it’s worth
the time to grow and cut them.

Bloodflower (Asclepias currisavica). This
annual grows tall and
attracts butterflies. The flowers arrive in mid- to late
summer and last well
in a vase. Many colors are available. Cut clusters on a single
large stem for
best results.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). The
brilliant orange flowers
can be seen from far away. The plant has a long taproot and is
a bit hard to
transplant. A perennial, it flowers only once or twice a
summer. But it’s worth
it. The remaining plant will likely be caterpillar food for
monarch butterflies.

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis). Its
brilliant red flower
is prized. Plants grow to 4 feet high and do best in moist
sites. A perennial,
it’s a wonderful cut flower in August. Cut when half the
flowers are open on
the tall stem.

Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.). Most of the many
Georgia annual species
have yellow to gold flowers. A common road beautification wild
flower, Coreopsis
tinctoria is outstanding for cut vases. A number of cultivated
varieties do
well in the wildflower garden.

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus and C.
sulphureus). C. bipinnatus
ranges to 5 feet high with flowers white to pink to lavender.
C. sulphureus
grows to 3 feet high with flowers yellow to orange to red.
These annual flowers
last only a few days, but you’ll have hundreds to select from
each week.

Fleabane (Erigeron speciosus). Other species
and hybrids are
cultivated, but this species appears best-suited for direct
sowing in meadow
gardens. The perennial plants are 2 feet tall with lilac,
daisy-like flowers.
Cut flowers by selecting major stems and using them as
clusters.

Gaillardia (Gaillardia species). Two species in
Georgia, G.
pulchella and G. aestivalis, are low-growing with
yellow flowers
tipped with red or purple. G. X grandiflora is commonly
cultivated;
G. aristata is suitable for direct sowing. Full sun and
excellent drainage
are essential. Annual and perennial. The more you cut, the
better it produces.

Periwinkle (Vinca minor, V. major). This
evergreen, perennial
groundcover thrives in shade or partial shade. Both species
have attractive
blue flowers, though there are white ones. V. minor has
smaller leaves
and is more compact. Cut a lot of stem for best results.
Remove most lower leaves
before placing in vase.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). At 3 to
5 feet high,
they bloom all summer. The flowers have high, dark crowns
(cones) surrounded
by drooping rose-purple petals. Perennial. Nice vase presence.
Cut just after
the flower opens fully for best results.

Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum species). Used as a
cut flower since
humans began to appreciate flowers. Easy to grow from seed and
very long-lived
if watered in drought and fertilized in early spring and late
fall. Perennial.
Vase life is excellent and if cut back severely, will flush
two or three times
in a summer.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Sunflower is
well-known for its
tolerance of sun, heat, drought and poor soils. The species is
well-suited for
direct sowing. The many varieties range from 2 to 10 feet
high. The edible seeds
attract birds. Annual. Swamp Sunflower (H.
angustifolius), a dependable
fall-flowering perennial wildflower. Lasts 5 to 6 days in a
vase.

Verbena (Verbena species). V. tenuisecta
and V. rigida,
low-spreading plants with bluish-purple flowers, are often
along roadsides in
central and south Georgia. A white-flowering variety is
available, too. V.
hastata has a stiff, upright habit and may grow several
feet high. All are
suitable for sowing. Perennial.

Yarrow (Achillea species) Several species and
hybrids are cultivated.
Many varieties of fernleaf yarrow (A. filipendulina)
and common yarrow
(A. millefolium) are popular dried flowers. These two
species are well-adapted
for direct sowing in meadow gardens. Long-lived cut flower if
water is changed
often. Perennial.

Zinnia (Zinnia species). An old-time favorite
that does well
with occasional watering and frequent cutting. Spare the
clippers, spoil the
Zinnia. Very good vase life if cut just after opening.