Secrets of Professional Cut-Flower Growers: Top Varieties and Techniques

What Flower Farmers Know

Professional cut-flower growers face the same constraints as home gardeners but must turn a profit. They need reliable, trouble-free, long-blooming flowers—through experience, they've identified the best performers. Growers from California to Colorado surprisingly favor many of the same varieties.

Typical Seasonal Flow

• Early season: Sow cool-soil annuals (calendula, corn cockle, larkspur, soapwort). Timing varies: mid-February in Colorado, fall in mild California.
• Spring: Transplant biennials started in flats (sweet William) for next summer's bloom (fall planting in mild climates for spring bloom).
• Warm soil: Sow summer-to-fall annuals (amaranth, scabiosa, zinnia); plant tender bulbs (dahlias). Established perennials (phlox, veronica, yarrow) begin blooming.
• Post-season: Cold climates—seed cover crop (rye, clover, vetch). Mild winters—clear, replenish, restart.

Growing Tips from the Pros

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained. Amend poor/heavy soil with compost, peat moss, or organic matter.
• Sun: Most need full sun; Southwest growers use partial shade for longer early-bloomer seasons.
• Wind protection: Use trees, shrubs, or structures as buffers.
• Water: Moisten top 2+ inches. Drip irrigation/soaker hoses conserve water and suppress weeds.
• Feeding: Example: One Straw Farm applies wheelbarrow of manure/compost in spring plus occasional foliar feeds (fish emulsion/kelp).
• Perennial rejuvenation: Cut back hard after season ends to encourage new stems.