Who doesn’t love the thought of picking flowers from your own garden? Summer bulbs make it really easy to create a colorful cut-flower garden for picking beautiful bouquets. You can also do this in a small garden or even in pots!
Gladioli (Gladiolus), lilies (Lilium), and dahlias (Dahlia) make eye-catching additions to your cut-flower garden or border. They come in various vibrant colors and very different shapes, so they’re beautiful in a bouquet of cut flowers! There are also many other summer bulbs you can choose from, such as calla lily (Zantedeschia), montbretia (Crocosmia), Abyssinian gladiolus (Acidanthera), and tiger flower (Tigridia). Gather a nice mix and plant the bulbs as soon as the chance of night frost has passed (late April/early May). You’ll then be picking beautiful blooms from your own garden throughout the summer!
Bees & butterflies
A cut-flower garden with many different summer bulbs is a treat for the eyes. There is so much color and cheerfulness! Put the finishing touches on your cut-flower garden with flowering perennials and summer annuals. Then there will always be something to pick. It’s not only great for your bouquets but also for nature because butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects love flower-filled cutting gardens.
Tips & Ideas
- Most cut flowers love the sun. So, pick a sunny spot for your cut-flower garden or border.
- The gladiolus is the 2026 Summer Bulb of the Year. You’ll be amazed by the versatile color palette: from brilliant white to deep dark purple and even two-tone!
- Cut the flowers with clean, sharp pruning shears or a florist’s knife. Do this in the morning or late in the evening when it’s a bit cooler. Bring a flower bucket, so you can put the flowers in water immediately.
Tip! Dahlias are a must-have for any cut-flower garden: the more you pick, the more flowers you can expect. Also deadhead any spent flowers, and you will be able to pick the blooms well into late summer.
