Flower Love
Cut flowers are a timeless way to bring the beauty of nature indoors. Whether you’re arranging flowers for a special event or simply want to brighten up your home, choosing the right cutting flowers is essential. The following are some of the top flowers known for their lasting qualities and striking appearance when cut:
1. Roses
- Varieties: Hybrid tea roses, floribunda, and grandiflora.
- Features: Roses are classic cut flowers that symbolize love and beauty. Available in a wide range of colors, they are often the focal point of floral arrangements. Their delicate petals and fragrant aroma make them a favorite for both formal and casual settings.
- Care Tips: Keep stems in water immediately after cutting, and remove any leaves that would be submerged to prevent bacterial growth.
2. Lilies
- Varieties: Asiatic lilies, oriental lilies, and trumpet lilies.
- Features: Lilies are known for their large, showy blooms and sweet fragrance. Their bold colors and elegant form make them a dramatic choice for arrangements. Lilies are often used in more formal displays.
- Care Tips: Remove pollen stamens to avoid staining and extend their vase life by keeping them in cool water.
3. Tulips
- Varieties: Single early tulips, double tulips, and parrot tulips.
- Features: Tulips bring a fresh and vibrant touch to any bouquet. They are available in nearly every color and have a clean, modern appearance. Tulips are particularly popular in springtime arrangements.
- Care Tips: Cut tulips continue to grow after being arranged, so consider their upward movement when placing them in a vase.
4. Sunflowers
- Varieties: Common sunflower, teddy bear sunflower, and Moulin Rouge.
- Features: Sunflowers add a cheerful and rustic element to arrangements. Their large, golden-yellow blooms with a dark center are iconic. Sunflowers are long-lasting and pair well with other summer flowers.
- Care Tips: Harvest sunflowers when their petals just begin to open, and place them in deep water to support their heavy heads.
5. Peonies
- Varieties: Herbaceous peonies, tree peonies, and Itoh peonies.
- Features: Peonies are beloved for their lush, full blooms and soft, romantic colors. They are often used in wedding bouquets and other elegant arrangements. Their fragrance and beauty make them a top choice among florists.
- Care Tips: Cut peonies when buds are in the soft marshmallow stage for the longest vase life.
6. Dahlias
- Varieties: Cactus dahlias, pompon dahlias, and dinner plate dahlias.
- Features: Dahlias are prized for their intricate, geometric blooms and wide range of colors. They add texture and interest to any arrangement and can range in size from small to very large flowers.
- Care Tips: Dahlias are best cut early in the morning and placed in warm water to help them open fully.
7. Hydrangeas
- Varieties: Bigleaf hydrangea, panicle hydrangea, and smooth hydrangea.
- Features: Hydrangeas offer lush clusters of small flowers that create a voluminous effect in arrangements. Their pastel shades are ideal for soft, romantic displays.
- Care Tips: Hydrangeas need plenty of water; submerge the entire head in water for a few hours before arranging to ensure full hydration.
8. Orchids
- Varieties: Phalaenopsis, dendrobium, and cymbidium.
- Features: Orchids are exotic and elegant, known for their long-lasting blooms. They add a touch of luxury to any arrangement and are often used in sophisticated, modern designs.
- Care Tips: Orchids prefer humid environments, so misting the flowers regularly can help them last longer.
9. Carnations
- Varieties: Spray carnations, large-flowered carnations, and dwarf carnations.
- Features: Carnations are versatile and long-lasting, making them a staple in many floral arrangements. They come in a wide range of colors and are often used as filler flowers, but can also stand alone in simpler bouquets.
- Care Tips: Trim stems regularly and change the water frequently to keep carnations fresh.
10. Zinnias
- Varieties: Zinnia elegans, Zinnia angustifolia, and Zinnia haageana.
- Features: Zinnias are vibrant, cheerful flowers that bring a pop of color to any arrangement. They are easy to grow and come in many bright hues, making them perfect for summer bouquets.
- Care Tips: Cut zinnias when fully open and keep them in a cool place to maximize their vase life.
