Type Acronyms
HHP: Half-Hardy Perennial. The plant is a perennial (it lives for multiple years), but it cannot survive cold winter frosts and must be protected or treated as an annual in colder climates.
HHA: Half-Hardy Annual. These flowers bloom only in their first year from a seed but cannot survive harsh winter frost.
HP: Hardy Perennial. Hardy perennial flowers grow for more than two years and can survive winter frosts in most climates.
HA: Hardy Annual. Hardy annuals are plants with a single-year life cycle (like other annuals) but possess a degree of frost resistance, allowing them to be planted earlier in the fall or late winter
| Name | Type | Sow | Flowers | Vase Life | Stem Length (inches) | Tips |
| Agapanthus | HHP | Feb - Mar | June - Sep | 6 - 12 | up to 20 | Different varieties have different bloom times |
| Ageratum | HHA | Feb - Mar | June - Aug | 4 - 6 | 12 - 16 | Compact flowers, good for posie vases. |
| Alstromeria | HP | May - June | June - Aug | 6 - 14 | 12 | Following year Excellent cut flower that has an amazing vase life. |
| Amaranthus | HA | Mar - May | July - Sept | 7 | 20 - 32 | Great for cutting and drying, very dramatic blooms. |
| Anemone | HP | Jan - June | Mar - Oct | 4 - 7 | 12 | Bright and cheerful, superb cut flower. |
| Aster | HHA | Apr - Mar | Aug - Oct | 6 - 10 | 12 - 24 | An excellent cut flower with superb vase life. |
| Astilbe | HP | Feb - Mar | May - Sept | 5 - 8 | 12 - 60 | Good shade tolerance and low maintenance |
| Baby's Breath | HA | Mar - May | June - Sept | 5 - 10+ | 20 - 28 | Delicate froths of tiny flowers - a must for floral arrangements. |
| Balloon Flower | HP | Feb - Mar | June - Aug | 5 - 7 | 12 - 30 | Plant with history in traditional medicine |
| Baptisia | HP | Oct - Dec | May - June | 7 | 12 - 24 | Great host for pollinators |
| Bird of Paradise | HHP | Dec - Mar | Nov - Mar | 7 - 14 | 24 - 48 | Should have good air circulation |
| Bupleurum | HA | Mar - Apr | Jul - Nov | 7 - 10 | 15 - 36 | Moderate temps and consistent water |
| Calendula | HA | Mar - June | May - Aug | 5 - 7 | 12 - 16 | Long flowering and good cut flower. |
| Candytuft | HP | Feb - Mar | Apr - Oct | 5 - 6 | Up to 16 inches | Pick when the flowers are more than half open |
| Celosia | HHA | Feb - April | Throughout summer | 7 - 12 | 12 - 28 | Fiery plumes of flowers. |
| Chinese Lantern | HP | Feb - Mar | Jul - Aug | 12 - 20 | 12 - 24 | Ornamental plant with some medicinal uses |
| Christmas Rose | HP | Mar - June | Nov - Dec | 4 - 5 | 12 - 16 | Attractive winter flowers with evergreen foliage. |
| Chrysanthemum | HA | April - July | Aug - Oct | 10 - 20 | 20 - 32 | Long lasting filler flowers. |
| Cineraria | HHA | Jan - Mar | Throughout summer | 10 - 20 | 8 - 12 | Silvery background for smaller displays and posies. |
| Clarkia | HA | Mar - May | May - July | 5 - 14 | 12 - 36 | Very pretty clusters - easy to grow. |
| Columbine | HP | Jan - Mar | May - July | 5 | 12 - 36 | Following year Cottage garden favourite that will give height to a floral display. |
| Coreopsis | HA/HP | Feb - Mar | July - Oct | 5 - 15 | 12 - 36 | Ideal for mixed borders and cutting. |
| Cornflower | HA | Mar - May | June - Sept | 5 - 8 | 16 - 20 | Cottage garden favourite with long wiry stems. |
| Cosmos | HHA | Mar - May | Late summer | 4 - 5 | 16 - 20 | Great for in borders or as a cut flower. |
| Crocosmia | HP | Feb - Mar | July - Oct | 7 - 10 | 24 - 48 | Plunge immediately in to hot water after cutting |
| Cupids Dart | HP | Feb - June | Apr - June | 7 - 14 | Up to 24 | Good for cutting and drying as an everlasting flower. |
| Cyclamen | HHP | June - Sep | Nov - Mar | 5 | 2 - 6 | Cold climate plants. Place in a cold place at night. |
| Dahlia | HHP | Jan - Mid April | July - Sept | 4 - 10 | Up to 24 | Interesting blooms, invaluable for autumn floral arrangements. |
| Delphinium | HP | Mid Jan - Mar | Aug - Sept | 8 - 12 | 28 - 39 | Spectacular cut flowers for height and texture. |
| Dianthus | HHA | Jan - Mar | July - Sept | 8 - 18+ | 16 - 20 | Fragrant and colourful, good for small posies. |
| Echinacea | HP | Feb - Apr | June - Sept | 5 - 7 | 20 - 24 | Good vase life in modern style arrangements and bunches |
| Echinops | HP | Mar - May | July - Sept | 6 - 12 | 18 - 48 | Can be dried for long last displays |
| Eryngium | HA | Mar - May | July - Sept | 7 - 14 | up to 24 | Ideal for cutting and drying. |
| Flax | HA | Mar - April | June - Sept | 5 - 10 | 6 - 24 | Pretty filler flowers. |
| Foxglove | HB | April - Mid July | June - Mid Aug Following year | 5 | 24 - 48 | Sturdy cottage flower gives height to both formal and informal displays. |
| Freesia | HHP | Mar - June | Nov - Mar | 4 - 12 | 12 - 20 | Very fragrant and a popular choice for floral displays. |
| Gaillardia | HP | May - July | July - Sept | 7 - 10 | 12 - 24 | Spectacular daisy like blooms that are great for cutting. |
| Gayfeather | HP | Oct - Dec | Aug - Nov | 6 - 14 | 24 - 32 | Good for floral foam |
| Gazania | HHP | Feb - April | June - Sept | 14 | Up to 10 | Vibrant flowers that are an attractive focal flower. |
| Gerbera | HHP | Jan - Feb | May - Oct | 7 - 12 | 16 - 32 | Vase life diminished in floral foam |
| Geum | HP | Jan - Feb | June - Oct | 5 - 7 | 12 - 24 | Luminous orange and yellow flowers on upright stems. |
| Godetia | HA/HHA | March - May | July - Sept | 5 - 10 | 12 - 36 | Pretty blooms - good filler for informal displays. Condition over night |
| Gomphrena | HA | Jan - Feb | June - Oct | 7 | 20 - 27 | Condition overnight |
| Helichrysum | HA | March - May | July - Oct | 7 - 10 | 12 - 28 | Colourful winter dried flowers, to dry - cut when just open. |
| Heuchera | HP | April - July | June - Aug (Year 2) | 14 - 20 | 12 - 36 | Subtly scented blooms that can be cut for indoor decoration. |
| Hollyhock | HP | April - June | June - Aug | 5 - 15 | 12 - 48 | Magnificent summer flower- dries well for winter color. |
| Hypericum | HP | Jan - Feb | June - Sept | 10 - 21 | Up to 24 | Must be kept hydrated at all times |
| Iris | HHP | Feb - Mar | Dec - June | 3 - 7 | 18 - 24 | Iris are at their best in glass vase |
| Jupiter's Beard | HP | Feb - Mar | May - Sept | 7 - 10 | 24 - 36 | Supports pollinators likes bees, butterflies and hummingbirds |
| Kale (ornamental) | HA | Feb -Mar | Oct - Mar | 10 - 14 | 16 - 24 | Look for straight stems and undamaged heads |
| Larkspur | HA | Mar - May | Throughout summer | 4 - 12 | 12 - 60 | Long splendid stems of flower - useful for height and depth, dries well. |
| Lavatera | HA | Mid Mar - May | July - Sept | 7 - 10 | 18 - 36 | A stunning filler for larger displays. |
| Lavender | HP | Jan - June | June - Sept | 10 - 20 | 8 - 24 | Beautifully scented, good colour and dries well. |
| Linaria | HA | Mar - May | Throughout summer | 7 - 10 | 12 - 24 | Easy to grow, flowers like little snapdragons in bright colors. |
| Lisianthus | HHP | Dec - Jan | June - Sept | 10 - 14 | 16 - 24 | Recut the stems frequently and place in fresh water |
| Lupine | HP | Mar - Apr | June - Sept | 5 - 10 | 12 - 60 | Following year Ideal for cutting - gives a cottage garden feel to taller displays. |
| Malope | HA | Mar - Apr | July - Sept | 7 - 10 | 36 - 60 | Pretty open blooms - useful for smaller posies. |
| Marguerite Daisy | HHP | Feb - Mar | May - Oct | 4 - 7 | 10 - 16 | Attracts pollinators and has medicinal qualities |
| Marigolds | HHA | Feb - Mid May | July - Sept | 7 | 24 - 32 | Great for informal displays - dries well. |
| Mignonette | HA | Mar - May | July - Sept | 5 - 7 | 12 - 36 | Pretty small headed flowers - ideal fillers for smaller displays. |
| Monarda | HP | Jan - Feb | June - Sept | 5 - 7 | 12 - 48 | Remove bottome leaves. |
| Nasturtium | HA | Mar - May | June - Sept | 7 - 10 | 12 - 60 | A riot of colour - great for informal small displays and posies. |
| Nicotiana | HHA | Mar - Apr | June - Sept | 5 - 7 | 12 - 48 | Fragrant and charming, good for informal arrangements. |
| Nigella | HA | Mar - Apr | July - Sept | 7 - 10 | 15 - 28 | Delicate flowers - lovely for informal displays - pods and flowers dry well. |
| Obedient Plant | HP | Nov - Feb | Aug - Nov | 6 - 14 | 24 - 36 | Reliable nectar for pollinators |
| Peach-leaved Bellflower | HP | Jan - Feb | June - Aug | 7 - 10 | 18 - 36 | Low maintenance and drought tolerant |
| Penstemon | HHP | Feb - Mar | May - Sept | 3 - 14 | 12 - 36 | Pretty summer spires that add substance to larger displays. |
| Peony | HP | Aug - Oct | May - June | 5 - 10 | up to 20 | Want plump buds with the petals unfurling and clearly showing color |
| Phlox | HHA | Feb - April | June - Sept | 5 - 7 | 12 - 18 | Dainty heads of flowers - lovely in summer informal displays. |
| Pincushion Flower | HP | Mar - Apr | July - Sept | 8 - 16 | 16 - 25 | A superb traditional flower that will add grace to any display. |
| Poppy | HA | Jan - Mar | June - Oct | 3 - 5 | up to 20 | Not long lasting however blooms make beautiful focal flowers - pods dry well for winter decoration. |
| Ptilotus | HA | Feb - Apr | June - Aug | 10 - 14 | 16 - 20 | Have a pleasant and delicate perfume |
| Queen Anne's Lace | HB | Jan - Mar | Apr - Sep | 5 - 8 | 12 - 48 | Attracts beneficial insects like lady bugs |
| Ranunculus | HHP | Jan - Feb | Jan - June | 3 - 7 | 10 - 20 | If limp, recut stems and place in water with flower food |
| Rudbeckia | HHA/HP | Feb - Mid April | July - Sept | 5 - 7 | 12 - 36 | Superb daisy like flowers - great long lasting focal flowers. |
| Safflower | HA | Mid Mar-May | July - Sept | 7 - 14 | 12 - 59 | Thornless - makes a great cut flower either fresh or dried. |
| Salvia | HHA | Jan - Mar | July - Sept | 7 | 14 - 48 | Wonderful filler flowers that provide shape and texture. |
| Snapdragon | HHP | Jan - Mar | June - Aug | 5 - 8 | Up to 48 | Gives height to any floral display and very pretty. |
| Snow on the Mountain | HHP | Feb - Mar | Apr - Oct | 7 | 12 - 18 | Use flame or boiling water to check flow of milky white juice in stems |
| Solidago | HP | Jan - Feb | Aug - Nov | 7 - 10 | 20 - 24 | Suitable for bunches, hand-tied bouquets |
| Statice | HHA | Feb - April | July - Sept | 4 - 8+ | 16 - 28 | One of the best plants for cut/dried flowers. |
| Stock | HHA | Feb - April | June - Sept | 5 - 8 | 16 - 34 | Fragrant classic flower - stunning in formal and informal displays |
| Strawflower | HHP | February | May - Oct | 10 - 14 | 16 - 18 | Likes sun - let soil dry between waterings |
| Sunflower | HA | Mar - May | July - Sept | 5 - 12+ | 20 - 48 | Easy to grow - a must for flower arranging - dries well - full sun |
| Sweet Pea | HA | Jan - May | June - Sept | 5 - 7 | 8 - 16 | Popular cottage garden flowers that look stunning in a floral arrangement. |
| Sweet Violet | HP | Jan - Feb | Feb - May | 5 | 4 - 6 | Use flower food to maximize vase life |
| Sweet William | HB | May - July | June - July | 8 - 18+ | 16 - 20 | Following year Scented cottage garden flower - classic focal flower. |
| Wallflower | HB | May - Mid July | April - May | 5 - 7 | 12 - 36 | Following year Cheerful scented flowers - lovely in informal displays. |
| Yarrow | HP | Jan - Mar | Aug - Oct | 7 - 12 | 24 | Dries easily, lasting bright & pastel shades. |
| Zinnia | HA | Mar - May | July - Sept | 7 - 10 | 12 - 48 | Stunning blooms that provide excellent focal interest and texture - dry well. |