Annual Cut Flowers - Painted Tongue to Zinnia

Click on the links below for photos and information on each of the following annual cut flower varieties. In the comments column, GH indicates that the variety was started in the greenhouse and transplanted, and DS indicates that it was direct seeded in the field. Trellised varieties are also noted.

Photo - Plant Photo - Close-up Variety / Scientific Name Comments Painted Tongue       Royale Mix Salpiglossis sinuata GH, Trellis, very beautiful flowers but unfortunately faded quickly and stems were too short for fresh cuts Salvia       Coral Nymph Salvia coccinea GH, grew well, not ideal for fresh cuts because it looses flowers upon cutting Lady in Red Salvia coccinea GH, kept flowers a little longer than Coral Nymph Marble Arch Mix Salvia viridis GH, great for fresh cut and dried, pick the longest stems, plant gets bushier with more cutting Snow Nymph Salvia coccinea GH, loses petals upon cutting, not good for vase life but grew well in the field Scabiosa       Black Knight Scabiosa atropurpurea GH, Trellis, while these are delicate, if you take care in cutting them they do well in vases, need trellis support Olympia Mix Scabiosa atropurpurea GH, Trellis, pick longest stems and when almost all of bloom is opened, good cut flower Snapdragon       Costa Mix Antirrhinum majus GH, Trellis, grew very well, great flower cut and dried (although most literature doesn't mention drying) Rocket Mix Antirrhinum majus GH, Trellis, definitely use support for growing so that the wind doesn't knock the flowers down, grew well Snow-on-the-Mountain       Kilimanjaro Euphorbia marginata GH, good filler in vases but sap can irritate the skin, plunge stems into hot water to stop sap bleeding, grew very well Statice       Pacific Mix Limonium sinuatum GH, did well, long vase life - 2 weeks or more, great for drying Sunset Mix Limonium sinuatum GH, did well, long vase life - 2 weeks or more, great for drying Strawflower       Apricot/Peach Mix Bracteantha bracteata GH, Trellis, great for fresh cut or drying, important to harvest before the bud has opened all the way Salsa Mix Bracteantha bracteata GH, Trellis, great for fresh cut or drying, important to harvest before the bud has opened all the way Victorian Blush Bracteantha bracteata GH, Trellis, cut before flower opens entirely - photo to far left shows flowers too far gone, grew well Sweet Annie       Photo Not Available Cramer's Cousin Annie Artemisia sp. GH, grown for its foliage - good for wreaths and drying, some think it smells sweet, others don't! Photo Not Available Photo Not Available Cramer's Yardstick Artemisia annua poor germination, GH Photo Not Available Sweet Annie Artemisia annua GH, good for wreaths and drying, grew well, large robust plants, need to allow plenty of space Sweet Pea       Photo Not Available Mammoth Choice Mix Lathyrus odoratus DS, should be harvested when only 1 or 2 flowers on stem are open, others will continue opening making vase life 6-10 days Zinnia       Benary's Giant Mix Zinnia elegans GH, grew well, hardy plants, good for fresh cuts as long as you can find long, straight stems Carrousel Zinnia elegans GH, a grower's favorite for the unusual colors, grew well, hardy plants Envy Zinnia elegans GH, grew well, hardy plants, good for fresh cuts as long as you can find long, straight stems Giant Cactus Flowered Mix Zinnia elegans GH, grew well, hardy plants, good for fresh cuts as long as you can find long, straight stems, bright colors OK Formula Mix Zinnia elegans GH, grew well, hardy plants, good for fresh cuts as long as you can find long, straight stems, vivid colors Old Mexico Zinnia haageana GH, grew well, hardy plants, good for fresh cuts as long as you can find long, straight stems Persian Carpet Zinnia haageana GH, grew well, hardy plants, good for fresh cuts as long as you can find long, straight stems State Fair Mix Zinnia elegans GH, grew well, hardy plants, good for fresh cuts as long as you can find long, straight stems Sunbow Mix Zinnia elegans GH, grew well, hardy plants, this variety had a, smaller, more compact flower