Welcome to Part 2 of creating backyard bouquets! I wanted to share how I create beautiful organic-feeling flower arrangements. Growing and selling home grown bouquets is also very popular with flowers and plants from the yard and an easy micro business to start (always check your local ordinances.). These are some of the best flowers to plant for a cutting garden especially if you’re in the Midwest or somewhere that is not an arid setting for armfuls of blooms. Some are seasonal like a peony or tulip bulbs, but they are easy to grow and many can be cut over and over again. Who doesn’t love a beautiful bouquet of flowers that feels natural and not so formally arranged of locally grown flowers or purchased from a farm stand? It has such charm! Plus, it’s so much more sustainable than shipping flowers from thousands of miles away. Let’s start with the best flowers for bouquets that are homegrown and then look at some bouquet recipe examples for gorgeous and easy to put together arrangements!
The Best Flowers to Grow for Floral Arrangements and a Cut Flower Garden
Some of my favorite flowers (depending on the time of spring/early summer/late summer) that are yard-grown to arrange with are hydrangeas, zinnias, yarrow, butterfly bush, catmint, sage, sedum, calendula, cone flowers, lavender, coral bells, marigold, daisy, cone flower, larkspur. Many of these are hardy annuals that are low-maintenance, have strong stems for arranging, have a long vase life and can be cut over and over again. Even vegetables such as carrots (or radishes!) that are biennials can be let go to flower and those cut for arrangements! Many of these flower varieties don’t have a heavy scent either which can be good so they aren’t competing against one another (except for marigold. Use sparingly, they can stink.) Here is a handy chart that you can print out!
Easy to Grow Green Filler for Floral Arranging
And don’t forget about filler greenery! Many times, I’ll grab greenery in the yard for filler like ferns, lemon balm, oregano, asparagus fronds, coleus and hosta leaves (If it looks pretty, and safe to use, break the rules and use it!). Many times small branches of bushes and shrubs also make great filler such as serviceberry and wigeilas.
Flower Arrangement Recipes
I have the arrangements broken down into “flower bouquet recipes” for you, so you can pin them and save until you’re ready to use them for inspiration! For this first arrangement, I picked zinnias, daylilies, yarrow, and fern fronds. When using daylilies, make sure to pick ones with a few unopened buds so when the first buds wilt, the new ones will open.
Flower Bouquet Recipe 1
Flower Bouquet Recipe 2
For the second organic flower arrangement, I made a big, white hydrangea the main star and filled in around it.
I also added a Everblooming blue hydrangea, and a Limelight hydrangea tucked in the top, and a hosta flower stem is always good for height.
Flower Bouquet Recipe 3
The next bouquet had pink yarrow as the main feature.
I added some zinnias,ferns, and even a coleus for color. At the top, in the back of the arrangement, there’s a bit of my Dark Knight butterfly bush and lemon balm with yarrow for texture.
What I love about this arrangement below, is really hydrangea and yarrow are the star of this show. I bought this yarrow plant a few a years ago, and I am so in love with it!
It is called Cotton Candy yarrow, and blooms in various colors ranging from white to dark pink…all on one plant!
Flower Bouquet Recipe 4
The last arrangement is one that actually, if you forgot about it would be OK because many of these plants will throw roots and can be planted in the ground. Though it is important to change your water in your arrangement every few days to make sure there isn’t any bacteria build up.
This arrangement consists of coleus and sedum (which if you leave them in water long enough will grow roots) and you can put them in the ground. Out of all of them, this is definitely a longer lasting arrangement.
Flower Bouquet Recipe 5
Don’t underestimate the power of also using all one flower! There is nothing more gorgeous than a bowl or vase full of peonies, roses or zinnias!
Tips to Arranging Home Grown Flower Arrangements
-Add a few vibrant blooms as focus points and then build the bouquet around them
-Use green filler to add height
-Harvest the flowers with plenty of stem left for cutting to the appropriate height
-Vary heights of flowers and stems to add interest
-Change the water frequently to avoid bacteria build up and keep flowers fresher for longer.
I hope you’re inspired to head outside and snip a few stems and blossoms, or to plant a few flowers that you can add to your vases!
