The Best Flowers to Grow in Your First Year as a Flower Farmer or Your First Cutting Garden
- twinedwithrosemary
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
Starting your first flower farm or cutting garden can feel overwhelming with all the beautiful blooms to choose from, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. When I started my flower farm, I quickly learned that selecting the right flowers in that first year can make all the difference. Some flowers are more forgiving, productive, and easier to grow, which helps you build confidence and success right from the start. If you are anything like me you will travel down the seed catalog rabit hole and end up with way to many seeds. I had never grown a single flower before we started our flower farm, and I was overwhelmed with how many different kinds of flowers there are to grow for cut flower production.
If I were to start over again, here are the flowers I would grow in my first year. These flowers are perfect for beginners because they’re low-maintenance, versatile, and produce plenty of blooms for cutting. Whether you’re growing for personal bouquets or looking to sell arrangements, these blooms will set you up for success.
1. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are an absolute must for any first-year flower farmer or cutting garden. They’re easy to grow, bloom quickly, and are universally loved. Choose branching varieties like ‘ProCut’ or ‘Sunburst’ for continuous blooms throughout the season. Sunflowers also add height and drama to bouquets, making them a favorite for customers or your kitchen table. I love growing the colors that aren't found on the side of the road. ProCut® White Lite, and Strawberry Blonde are my very favorites to grow!
2. Zinnias
If you’re looking for vibrant colors and a flower that keeps producing all season, zinnias are your best friend. They’re heat-tolerant, easy to grow from seed, and come in a wide variety of shapes and colors. Varieties like ‘Benary’s Giant’ or ‘Queen Lime’ are perfect for stunning bouquets. Plus, being a cut and come again flower they’ll keep blooming as long as you keep cutting! These flowers are known as a workhorse in the garden!
3. Yarrow
Yarrow is a fantastic filler flower with feathery, textured foliage and long-lasting blooms. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a hardy choice for beginners. The muted, earthy tones of yarrow make it a perfect complement to more vibrant blooms like zinnias and sunflowers. This too is a cut and come again flower.
4. Feverfew
Feverfew is another essential filler that adds a whimsical touch to bouquets. With its small, daisy-like flowers, it pairs beautifully with bold blooms. It’s incredibly easy to grow and produces abundantly, making it a great choice for cutting gardens. Grow this instead of babys breath to give your bouquets a touch of white.
5. Statice
If you want a flower that works fresh and dried, statice is your go-to. Its papery blooms hold up well in arrangements and are perfect for dried bouquets. Statice comes in an array of colors and is very easy to grow, even in less-than-ideal conditions. And statice too is a cut and come again flower, the more you harvest it's blooms, the more blooms it will give you.
6. Cosmos
Cosmos are delicate, airy blooms that add movement and charm to any bouquet. They thrive in poor soil and hot weather, making them low-maintenance and beginner-friendly. Varieties like ‘Double Click’ or ‘Sensation Mix’ are great options for cutting gardens.
7. Explosion Grass
Grasses are often overlooked, but they can add texture and volume to your bouquets. Explosion grass has a unique, airy quality that gives arrangements a playful, whimsical feel. It’s easy to grow and a fun addition to your cutting garden.
8. Mint
Mint might not be the first thing you think of for a cutting garden, but its fragrant greenery is a wonderful addition to bouquets. It’s incredibly easy to grow—sometimes too easy! To keep it under control, consider planting it in pots or a contained space in your garden.
9. Dahlias
Dahlias are the showstoppers of any cutting garden. While they take a little extra effort to plant and care for, their stunning blooms are worth it. Start with a few tubers and varieties like ‘Cafe au Lait’ or ‘Cornel’ for bold, gorgeous blooms.
10. Snapdragons
Snapdragons are a classic choice for cut flowers. They’re elegant, come in a wide range of colors, and add height and structure to bouquets. You can plant them early in the season, and they’ll reward you with plenty of blooms. We didnt have Snapdragons in our bouquets for one year and I will never make that mistake again. These Blooms add a spikey element to any bouquet along with great height and color!
11. Amaranth
Amaranth is an easy-to-grow flower that adds drama and texture to arrangements. With its cascading blooms in rich colors like burgundy and coral, it’s a striking choice for bouquets. It also thrives in heat, making it a perfect summer flower.
Tips for Success in Your First Year
1. Start Small: Don’t feel pressured to grow too many varieties. Focus on a manageable number of flowers you can grow well.
2. Succession Planting: Stagger your planting to ensure you have a continuous supply of blooms throughout the season.
3. Cut Regularly: The more you cut, the more your flowers will produce. This is especially true for zinnias, cosmos, and snapdragons.
4. Choose What You Love: Growing flowers you’re excited about will make the experience more enjoyable and rewarding.
Final Thoughts
Starting your flower farm or cutting garden is a journey filled with beauty and learning. The flowers on this list are reliable, beginner-friendly, and perfect for creating stunning bouquets. Even if not everything goes perfectly, the joy of growing and harvesting your own flowers makes it all worthwhile.
What flowers are you excited to grow this year? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear about your cutting garden plans!
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