I wouldn’t describe myself as green-fingered, but can’t say I have a black thumb either. However, one year I did splash out £20 on a huge pot, compost and a fancy wig-wam with dreams of becoming self-sufficient (well self-sufficient in runner beans anyway). At the end of the summer I had produced precisely one bean. The most expensive runner bean I have ever owned. Thankfully I’ve had more success tending to plants and flowers.

I loved reading all the responses to our Decorate with Flowers post and it seems that so many of you enjoy a cut flower or two. Inspired by our winner Ann-Marie, I’ve pulled together this post for all of those who would like to give the ‘grow your own’ lark a bit of a whirl but don’t yet have the confidence to plant your own seedlings. All the fleurs I’m about to mention are either about to burst into flower, or are currently blooming so you should be able to purchase them potted from your garden centre ready to plant in your own garden. I am by no means an expert and the below are just my own ramblings from my own limited experience.

Peonies

Utterly elegant and flamboyant, Peonies make stunning cut flowers. They grow best in full sun throughout May (though the variety I have seems to thrive in the shade) and prefer not to be planted in deep soil. Their weighty heads make them prone to drooping so sometimes you may need to stake.

Roses

I have three rose bushes and like to snip off a stem once a week to fill single bud vases. There are plenty of varieties to choose from; climbers, shrubs and patio roses with varying pigments and fragrances.
Last year I planted a stunning David Austen Wisley Rose and cannot wait for the delicate cupped flowers to flower again over the summer. Luckily for me, most rose shrubs hardly require any pruning as they flower best on older stems.

Astilbe

Seeing the almost-neon feathered-foliage of the Astilbe always makes me smile. My friend had the most awesome wedding flowers you’ve ever seen and Astilbe featured heavily. I snapped up two fluffy perennials last year and am pleased to report they made it through the winter and the bronze leaves are doing well. They thrive in moist soil in a shadier spot and are known for vigorous growth. While Astilbe probably isn’t your usual cut flower it looks very pretty billowing over a jam jar.

Sweet Peas

I should have held on to my runner bean wig-wam to reuse for sweet peas! This will be my first year tending to my own but I’m looking forward to watching the slender stems entwine and scramble up the willow when I buy mine in a few weeks.
As annuals, they last just one season but you definitely get your money’s worth – the more Sweet Peas you pick, the more flowers you get, and the longer the plant continues to bloom. This sounds like my kind of plant! The floaty, frilly petals smell divine too.

Ranunculus

I was browsing a beautiful florists in London last spring and was stunned that a bunch of five of these beauties were priced at £9! Potted Ranunculus were still available in my local garden centre last week but you can also plant your own bulbs in the autumn. They make great bedding plants and also look terrific in a pot with layer after layer of soft delicate petals.

So these are my five choices for plants to provide you with cut flowers. How does your own garden grow? What are your favourite blooms to tend to in your outside space and what will you be planting this year?

Image sources | Peonies | Wisley Rose Bush | Wisley in Bottle | Astilbe in Garden | Astilbe in jam jar | Sweet Pea in Garden | Sweet Pea in Jug | Ranunculus Field