7 Cut-and-Come-Again Flowers That Will Keep Blooming All Summer Long
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We’re not sure what we like more: flowers growing outside in the garden or a garden-fresh bouquet acting as a centerpiece for our kitchen counters and coffee tables. Luckily, if you grow cut-and-come-again flowers, you don’t have to choose. Cut-and-come-again flowers are pretty much exactly what they sound like: flower varieties that will continue to bloom again after you’ve cut them. To some, it may seem sacrilegious to grow gorgeous flowers only to cut them; however, with these particular varieties, cutting the flowers every so often actually encourages more blooms throughout the season. So, you can have your garden flowers and your flower vase on the counter, with no guilt or compromise needed.
For a long-blooming flower garden that will give you stunning bouquets all season long, here are some of the best cut-and-come-again flowers to grow.
Snapdragons
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Snapdragons, with clusters of florets growing on tall, sturdy stalks, add height and a unique shape to garden beds—and they make for especially striking additions to flower arrangements. For the best results with growing and cutting these flowers throughout the season, harvest them in the morning when the temperatures are cooler and when at least three florets have opened on the stem to ensure they’ll continue to open once cut.
Cosmos
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Cosmos check off so many boxes for a great garden flower. They’re a pollinator-friendly wildflower, they’re fast-growing, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and just a delight to look at. They’re also great for filling out garden bouquets, since their thin, frilly stems add textural interest without taking up too much space.
Celosia
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Celosia is a non-traditional flower that is sure to take both your garden and your bouquets to the next level. A member of the amaranth family, the plant produces upright, feathery flower heads in bright colors, with some varieties putting out more compressed, coral-like blooms.
Zinnia
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Zinnias are a reliable garden favorite and a perfect choice for beginners looking for big rewards with minimal effort. With joyful blooms in a range of bright colors, including red, pink, orange, yellow, and white, you could make a showstopping bouquet from zinnias alone.
Coneflower
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A common addition to pollinator gardens, coneflowers are low-maintenance, vigorous growers. They can also thrive in sandy soil, and they’re a tough perennial you can rely on year after year.
Dahlia
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Dahlias can vary widely in appearance, from more simple, daisy-like varieties to spherical pompom-shaped types, each of which is a great addition to cutting gardens. They also bloom prolifically for long periods, typically starting in July and continuing until the first frost, with September often being the heaviest blooming period.
Globe Amaranth
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A relative of celosia, globe amaranth is another unique garden addition with its pompom-shaped flower heads. The flowers are also edible and can be used to make tea or as a playful garnish for cakes and desserts, so consider saving some for culinary uses while you cut them for bouquets.
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