A suggestion was made that I compile a list of my top picks for cut flower production this year in my garden.  I decided to take this idea and extend it just a bit to include flowers that I harvested from both my garden and from the area immediately surrounding it (namely my house and the greenhouse).  So, without further ado, here’s my list for Top Ten Plants for Cut Flower Production in 2008.

 

1) Hydrangea paniculata ”Floribunda’  – elegant and long lasting
2) Dahlias hybridia, in particular ‘Melody Gypsy’  – beautiful color, long stem
3) Zinnias elegans, in particular ‘Polar Bear’  – prolific bloomer, antique white
4) Agastache foeniculum  (Anise Hyssop)  – fragrant filler
5) Agastache ‘Tutti Fruiti’ – tall spike of pink punch
6) Platycodon grandiflora ‘Florist Blue’  (Ballon Flowers)  – one of the best blues for cut flowers
7) Calendula officianalis  – cheerfulness on long sturdy stems
8) Verbena bonariensis  (Purpletop Verbena)  – airy filler
9) Cosmos bipinnatus  -  prolific and romantic with great color
10) Echinacea purpurea  (Purple Coneflower) – great native cut flower, long vase life