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If you place any weight on the opinions of groundhogs, spring arrived early this year. Since I am an optimist when it comes to the garden, I am getting to work on my cutting garden. I do live in Zone 8, so there is little risk of frost here. But even in colder climates, some flowers can go into the ground before that final frost date.
If you want to get an early jump on that cutting garden, there are some great options. By planting flowers that prefer cool weather, you can get a head start on flowers for sweet spring bouquets. While I can’t promise flowers by Easter, if you plant these flowers soon, April showers just might bring April flowers!
The trick to getting your cut flower garden up and running early is to plant things that like cool weather. If you plant your zinnias tomorrow, the results may disappoint. If you choose the right plants, you will most certainly have a bouquet for Earth Day.
As soon as your soil is workable, there are plenty of cool-weather flowers that you can sow right in the garden. You can also start many seeds indoors if the ground is not yet workable. Here are some wonderful, cool-weather flowers that you can have blooming in no time.
Sweet Pea
 | botanical name Lathyrus odoratus |
|---|---|
 | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
 | height up to 8’ |
 | hardiness zones 2-11 |
Sweet peas are cool-weather flowers and one of the most cold-tolerant annuals I can think of. In mild climates, sweet pea seeds can go into the ground in the fall, and you could have flowers as early as February. In cool climates, these frost-tolerant plants can be directly sown up to two months before your last frost date.
If you missed those prospects, don’t worry. Sweet peas are fast growers and can bloom in as few as 50 days after planting. Most varieties prefer cool weather and will finish blooming by the time summer heat sets in. There are, however, some more heat-tolerant hybrids that will bloom much longer. This is especially true in places with cool summers.
Plant your sweet peas in full sun or partial shade in warmer climates. A bit of shade on the roots will keep them going farther into the summer. They like nutrient-rich soil, so mix in some compost or manure before planting.
Sweet peas are vining plants, so they need some type of support to grow on. You can go as elaborate or as simple as you wish here. A beautiful arbor makes a wonderful support, but I’ve grown them on a tomato cage with success, as well. Sweet peas have wonderful, fragrant flowers that work great in spring bouquets.
Snapdragon
| | botanical name Antirrhinum majus |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height up to 3’ |
| | hardiness zones 7-10 |
Snapdragons are beautiful cool-weather bloomers and make great cut flowers, as well. Some types tend to stay lower to the ground, but taller types have nice long stems. Their soft, attractive foliage makes a nice filler, and their colorful blooms last up to two weeks in a vase. A wide range of colors make these desirable in the garden and floral arranging.
Snapdragons take a while to germinate, but they have good frost tolerance. In milder climates, you can start seeds in the fall. In cooler climates, sow seeds as soon as you can work the ground. If they pop up before that last frost date, they should be fine in a light frost. In cold climates, start your snapdragons indoors over the winter. Hardened-off plants can survive sub-freezing temperatures.
Here in Zone 8, my snapdragons have endured through temperatures in the 20s without batting an eye. The foliage did take on an attractive blush in some plants, but not a single one didn’t survive the winter. Plant these in full sun in cooler climates. In warm climates, a bit of shade will keep them blooming for longer.
Cosmos
| | botanical name Cosmos bipinnatus |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 2’-4′ |
| | hardiness zones 2-11 |
Cosmos are not quite as cold-tolerant as the others on my list, but they are fast-bloomers. You can start these seeds indoors and transplant them as soon as the threat of frost has passed. Start your seeds about six weeks before you plant to put them in the ground. Once they germinate, it takes only 50-60 days for them to bloom.
Cosmos make great cut flowers in spring bouquets. They bloom abundantly for a long time. From spring through fall, you will have these cheerful flowers to brighten the garden and home. You can cut cosmos as soon as one flower on the stem opens. The remaining buds will continue to open daily.
The feathery, fern-like foliage on these plants makes them a nice textural element in the garden and bouquet. They have a delicate appearance but are rather sturdy, heat, and drought-tolerant. Their flowers are not long-lasting but bloom in such profusion you will have plenty to go around. Plant these in full sun.
Bachelor’s Button
| | botanical name Centaurea cyanus |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun |
| | height 1’-3’ |
| | hardiness zones 2-11 |
Bachelor button‘s popularity goes back to the Victorian Era. At that time, men wore them in their buttonholes to indicate their availability for marriage. Today, they are pretty, low-maintenance garden flowers. They make great cut flowers with their long stems and colorful blooms.
While they aren’t the flashiest of flowers, they will last up to two weeks in a spring bouquet. They are tolerant of heat, drought, and even light frost. Bachelor’s buttons don’t transplant well, so directly sow the seeds as soon as the ground is workable in spring. In warmer climates, plant your seeds in the fall for early spring blooms.
These sweet flowers come in shades of blue, pink, and white and will begin to bloom about 65 days after planting. Most think of these as summer bloomers, but if planted early enough, they will begin blooming much earlier. Sow your seeds in full sun and well-draining soil. They are not picky about the soil type.
Calendula
| | botanical name Calendula officinalis |
|---|---|
| | sun requirements Full sun to partial shade |
| | height 1′-2′ |
| | hardiness zones 2-11 |
Calendula is best known for its use in medicinal and cosmetic preparations. They also make lovely cut flowers to feature in a spring bouquet. Taller varieties, in particular, are great for floral arrangements. They retain their color when dried, making them nice for dried arrangements.
In mild climates, you can plant calendula seeds just about any time. They don’t mind direct sowing, but you can also start them indoors and transplant them in cooler climates. They will survive a light frost in most cases, even though most don’t consider them frost-tolerant.
In cool climates, sow seeds outdoors a few weeks before the last anticipated frost date. Or, sow indoors as many as six weeks ahead. They take only six to eight weeks to produce flowers. They continue to bloom until frost, sometimes taking a break mid-summer. Calendula is a fan of cool weather and full sun. The flowers are edible, too!
Final Thoughts
A cutting garden doesn’t have to be complicated. Just a handful of flower seeds can get you on the right track to wonderful bouquets. Start your spring-cutting garden off now with these five sweet flowers. Before you know it, you will have a garden bursting with colorful flowers to make the sweetest spring floral arrangements.
