5 Favorite Perennials for a Cut Flower Garden

Flowers to grow that give back year after year.

When you’re starting out with a cut flower garden, it’s easy to be drawn to annual flowers because the quick reward of blooms in just a few months is hard to resist. Annuals grow fast, put on a show, and then wrap up their life cycle all within a single season. They’re a great way to fill a garden with color right away, making them an obvious choice for beginners.

But if you have a little patience and are willing to invest a bit more upfront, incorporating perennials into your garden is one of the best decisions you can make. Unlike annuals, perennials return year after year, growing stronger and more abundant with each passing season. They may take a little longer to establish, but once they do, they provide a steady supply of beautiful blooms with less effort over time. It’s like planting future you a gift that keeps on giving, season after season.

If you love the idea of a cut flower garden but don’t want to start seeds each year, a well-curated selection of perennials is the way to go. With the right plants, you’ll have reliable, gorgeous flowers that practically take care of themselves.

Here are my five favorite perennials to grow for cut flowers:

1. Peonies (Paeonia spp.)

Peonies are the grand dames of the perennial garden (in my opinion). Their lush, fragrant blooms are a staple in floral arrangements and a favorite for early summer bouquets. While they take a couple of years to really settle in, a well-established peony plant can bloom for decades (talk about a long-term investment!).

Why I love them:

• Huge, ruffled blooms in shades of pink, white, coral, yellow, and red

• Strong, sturdy stems (especially the newer varieties)

• An unmatched soft, sweet fragrance that fills a room

Growing tips:

• Plant peonies in full sun with well-draining soil.

• Avoid planting them too deep (this is one of the biggest reasons they fail to bloom.)

• Stake taller varieties to keep those big blossoms from flopping over.

Peonies are most notably the go-to perennial for a cut flower garden. Photo via @ellienelie on Unsplash.

2. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is a workhorse in the garden and the vase. It’s drought-tolerant, thrives in poor soil, and produces flat, airy clusters of tiny flowers that add texture to arrangements. Plus, it attracts pollinators, making it a great addition to any eco-friendly garden (with one variety even considered a native plant here in Michigan!).

Why I love it:

• Long-lasting flowers in soft shades of yellow, pink, white, and red

• Feathery foliage that adds softness to bouquets

• Drought-tolerant and easy to grow

Growing tips:

• Full sun is best, but yarrow will tolerate light shade.

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

• Be mindful as some varieties spread aggressively, so choose carefully!

3. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a must-have for any cut flower garden. It’s as tough as it is beautiful, thriving in heat and poor soil while attracting butterflies and bees (and is considered a native here in Michigan, too!)

Why I love it:

• Sturdy, daisy-like blooms with prominent central cones

• A long bloom period from summer into fall

• Comes in a range of colors beyond classic purple, including white, orange, and pink (not all colors are native though)

Growing tips:

• Plant in full sun with well-draining soil.

• Leave seed heads up in the fall to provide food for birds.

• Divide plants every few years to keep them healthy and productive.

4. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender is a garden essential and not just for its beauty, but for its scent and versatility. It’s a favorite for fresh and dried arrangements, adding a rustic charm to any bouquet. This is one plant that I just can’t seem to get enough of.

Why I love it:

• Fragrant, calming scent that lingers

• Beautiful spikes of purple flowers

• Can be used fresh or dried

Growing tips:

• Needs full sun and well-draining, slightly sandy soil.

• Prune after blooming to keep plants compact and encourage more flowers.

• Avoid overwatering as lavender prefers to be on the dry side.

5. Rudbeckia Triloba (Brown-Eyed Susan)

Rudbeckia triloba is the lesser-known cousin of Black-Eyed Susan, but it deserves a spot in every cut flower garden. This variety produces masses of small golden-yellow blooms with dark centers, giving bouquets a cheerful, wildflower-like whimsical charm.

Why I love it:

• Blooms abundantly from midsummer into fall

• Delicate, branching stems that add movement to arrangements

• Tolerant of heat, drought, and less-than-perfect soil

Growing tips:

• Prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade.

• Reseeds easily, so expect some volunteers next season.

• Cut stems when the flowers are just opening for the best vase life.

A Garden That Gives Back

Perennials are a gift that keep on giving because once you plant them, they’ll provide beauty (and bouquets!) for years to come. I’ve listed only a handful of my favorites but there are so many others that also provide beautiful blooms. I’d encourage you to do more research to find those that suit your fancy, especially because you want to make sure they’re suitable for your growing zone.

Many perennials can be started from seed (I actually have a whole slew of them that I started via winter sowing) but if easier, you can also purchase plants from your local greenhouse and nurseries. If you purchase as starter plants, just make sure to doublecheck the height and variety to make sure they’d work for cutting (i.e. they’ll have nice long stems).

As I write this, the birds are chirping outside my window and the sun is just barely starting to peek through the gray clouds on this chilly morning. Spring will be here soon, it’s just around the corner. Take this as a sign to start planning out the perennials that you want to add in your garden this year!