Seeds to Sow Now for a Stunning Cut Flower Display in Late Summer and Autumn
If you love having fresh flowers in the house but want to grow your own, June is a brilliant month to get started. By sowing a carefully selected array of annuals and half-hardy plants now, you can anticipate bountiful bouquets from August through the first frosts. Whether you’re gardening in pots on a patio or dedicating a border to a cutting patch, the following plants will reward you generously with stunning blooms.
Annual Asters — The Stars of the Autumn Cutting Garden
Of all the flowers you can sow for late summer and autumn, annual asters (Callistephus chinensis) deserve special attention. Their breathtaking blooms — great pompoms and cushions of colour in shades from pure white to rich crimson — flower prolifically from August into October, making them invaluable for late-season arrangements.
Sow in pots or trays rather than directly into the ground, as the small seeds benefit from the controlled conditions inside a pot. Germination takes around 10 to 14 days. Once they are large enough to handle, pot them on and plant out in late June, ensuring a spacing of at least 30 cm. Good air circulation is crucial; avoid growing them in the same soil two years running to mitigate the risk of fusarium wilt.
Best Varieties for Cutting:
- Matsumoto series — Excellent for cut flower trade with outstanding stem length.
- Ostrich Plume — Feathery petals for an elegant, chrysanthemum-like appearance.
- Duchess series — Classic double flowers with robust stems.
- Crego Mixed — Spidery petals for a contemporary look.
The Full Late Summer and Autumn Cut Flower List
Here is a complete list of flowers to sow now, along with guidance on what to expect from each:
- Zinnia: Sow in pots, planting out in late June. Flowering from August through October, with a vase life of 7 to 10 days. Best varieties: ‘Benary’s Giant’, ‘Pumila Mixed’, ‘Zinderella’.
- Rudbeckia: Sow in pots for warm golden and bronze tones. Stems reach 50 to 70 cm with a vase life of 10 to 14 days. Best varieties: ‘Toto Gold’, ‘Cherry Brandy’, ‘Indian Summer’.
- Scabiosa: Delicate pincushion flowers ideal for mixed arrangements. Stems reach 40 to 60 cm with a vase life of 7 to 10 days. Best varieties: ‘Tall Mixed’, ‘Oxford Blue’, ‘Salmon Queen’.
- Ammi majus: This white umbellifer is a useful filler flower, with stems of 60 to 90 cm. Sow direct into the ground. Best variety: The straight species.
- Larkspur: Produces dramatic vertical stems, reaching 90 to 120 cm. Sow direct where it is to flower. Best varieties: ‘Giant Imperial’.
- Helichrysum (Strawflower): Papery flowers perfect for fresh and dried arrangements. Stems reach 30 to 50 cm. Best varieties: ‘Tall Mixed’, ‘Silvery Rose’.
- Antirrhinum (Snapdragon): Best sown in pots for September and October blooms, reaching 60 to 90 cm. Best varieties: ‘Rocket series’, ‘Madame Butterfly’.
- Cornflower: Easy to grow, providing a second flush of flowers in September. Best varieties: ‘Blue Ball’, ‘Classic Romantic’.
- Calendula: Fast-growing and will flower within 8 weeks. Stems reach 30 to 45 cm. Best varieties: ‘Indian Prince’, ‘Sherbet Fizz’.
- Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist): Offers decorative flowers and seedheads. Stems reach 30 to 40 cm. Best varieties: ‘Miss Jekyll’, ‘Persian Jewels’.
Growing in Pots
Many of these flowers thrive in large containers, making them perfect for those without dedicated cutting borders. Use a minimum of 30 to 40 liters for best results and fill with high-quality, peat-free compost. Water consistently, as pots can dry out quickly. Zinnias, antirrhinums, asters, and helichrysum are particularly well suited to pot growing.
Growing in Borders
If you have space, creating a dedicated cutting border is enormously rewarding. Choose the sunniest spot available, prepare the soil well with compost, and ensure good drainage. Sow larkspur, ammi, cornflower, and nigella direct into the border, and transplant other seedlings after hardening off. Successional sowing every 2 to 3 weeks will extend the cutting season.
By sowing a selection of these plants now, you can ensure a stunning cut flower display from late summer to autumn. Whether grown in pots or borders, this project is not only rewarding but also transforms your garden and home with vibrant flowers at very little cost.