Few things brighten a home as effectively as cut flowers, particularly those that have a scent as well.
As the last of the summer and early autumn bulbs signal the coming winter, make the most of what flowers you have to give your home a bright, vibrant feel.
There is a vast array of bulbs you can plant with cut flowers in mind, and these are our favourite cut flowers from that selection.
Alliums come in a multitude of blue, purple, white and even yellow hues, and numerous textures to give your cut flowers wonderful depth and variety. Within the Allium range, there are over 20 to choose from, with many long-stemmed flowers to give your display height.
For deep, rich and vibrant colour you can’t go wrong with Anemones, and to add length and elegant structure to mix with your Alliums, the Camassia bulbs are a wonderful option and will also add scent to a room.
And of course, no cut flower vase would be complete without Tulips – a cutting mixture can make a centrepiece on its own or add them to a variety of flowers to add beautiful colour and structure.
For delicate, intricate displays that will truly draw the eye, Dutch Irises are an absolute winner – from the Apollo and Blue Magic to the luminescent Yellow Queen and more, the Dutch Iris collection can transform your home. And for a cottage garden feel to your cut flower arrangements, mix in Bluebells, Ixias, Daffodils and Narcissi with Alliums and Camassia.
Planning your cut flowers
One thing you want to be sure of is not to leave gaps in your outdoor garden by cutting out flowers for indoor use – one way to avoid that problem is to plant a specific area of your garden, perhaps away from your more visible areas, that you use only for cut flowers. You could also plant them in pots or troughs, which is easier to manage and can be moved as well.
Keeping them healthy
Keep your cut flowers blooming for as long as possible by following these simple tips:
- Make sure you use a clean vase every time
- Remove excess leaves and foliage that would sit under the water level, as these will rot and contaminate the water over time
- Cut stems at an angle to give as much surface area to the plant for water uptake
- Use cold water for spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils, and room temperature water for other flowers
- Add some flower food, and refresh the water every couple of days
- Remove any dead flowers immediately as they can also rot and contaminate the water
- Place your flowers away from direct sunlight, heat, draughts and fruit bowls
To find out more about which bulbs to buy, how best to plant them and how to grow a flower for indoor displays contact one of our friendly staff today on 01205 260412 or info@gee-tee.co.uk.