Planning Your Garden ~ The Art of Succession Planting Cut Flowers

There's something undeniable about a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers. The vibrant colors, ah-mazing fragrances, and sheer joy are simply magical. If you are like me and want to enjoy a continuous supply of blooms throughout the seasons, then you need to learn the process of succession planting. In this article, we will learn how to succession plant cut flowers and how it can transform your gardening experience from a flash in the pan to blooms all year long.

1. Understanding Succession Planting:

Succession planting is a gardening technique that involves staggering the planting of different flower varieties to ensure a continuous harvest. By carefully selecting and timing your plantings, you can enjoy an ever-changing display of flowers that grace your garden and fill your home with beauty.

2. Planning for the Seasons:

One of the joys of succession planting is being able to see the changing dynamics of what is growing in your garden throughout the year. A simple Google search or looking at gardening forums or books will help you learn which plants and flowers bloom when. From the early snowdrop to the winter amaryllis, there is a flower blooming at all times if you know what to look for and when to plant them.

3. Selecting the Right Flowers:

The key to successful succession planting is choosing a diverse range of flowers with different bloom times. Begin with early spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils, and pansies. As summer arrives, transition to sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos. For fall, opt for dahlias, chrysanthemums, and asters. For a winter garden, try growing amaryllis and other bulbs that you can force inside.

Here are some flower ideas for each season to help you get started:

Early Spring - daffodils

Late Spring - tulips

Early summer - feverfew, sweet William, ranunculus, peonies and roses

Summer - Zinnia, cosmos, celosia, and sunflowers

Late Summer - Dahlias and Sunflowers

Fall - Mums, Flowering Cabbage

Winter - Amaryllis

Succession planting cut flowers is kind of like a journey through the year that is full of promise, beauty, and joy. By doing a little bit of planting all year, you can experience the margin of God’s ever-changing creation and bring a little bit of that indoors all year.

We have talked a lot about planning your garden space and how to sow seeds. Next month I will show you my step-by-step process for harvesting cut flowers to make sure your flowers are picture-perfect.

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