Easy Flowers to Plant in May for Stunning Summer Cut Flower Bouquets

Growing a cut flower garden doesn't have to be complicated. The goal of a cut flower garden should be joy and not stress! Seed starting and be intimidating but the 7 flowers listed below can all be sown directly in the ground after your last frost date.

Many of these flowers are 'cut and come again' flowers which means the more you cut them, the more they bloom! Sunflowers are the exception in this list. Some are 'one-cut-and-done' and others are branching, which will allow you to cut more than one bloom. If you need good examples of seeds to buy for each flower, I have highlighted some pretty cool varieties to help you!

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links and I make a small commission when you purchase through my links at no cost to you. This helps keep this cut flower blog growing and I thank you!

Zinnias

Zinnias are the absolute beginner friendly cut flower to grow from seed. In fact, it is the one I recommend to people when they are wanting to grow their first cut flower garden! The more you cut zinnias, the more they bloom all summer long until a frost eventually takes them out.

Sunflowers

Did you know that there are 'better' sunflowers to grow for cut flowers and others that are better flowers to grow for pollinators? Yes! Some sunflowers drop pollen while others do not. For cut flowers, we want the sunflowers that don't drop pollen all over the table. For multiple sunflowers on one stem, try growing 'branching' sunflowers. 

Celosia

Celosia, along with Zinnias, are classified as 'cut and come again' flowers which means the more you cut them, the more they bloom! Celosia comes in a wide range of colors and shapes. You could grow just a garden full of different types of celosia and have bouquets all season! A bonus is bees LOVE celosia!

Basil

I know what you are thinking...'Isn't basil an herb?!' Yes! Did you know if you let basil flower and the stem get woody, it makes a lovely cut flower?! Try it! My fav are the purple and lemon basils to let flower. They smell incredible in a fresh flower bouquet!

Marigolds

Did you know marigolds come in more sizes than just the short ones you plant around your vegetables? Yes! Some get 2'-3' tall and make fantastic flowers for bouquets. If you are not keen on their smell, strip all the foliage as that's where most of the marigold scent comes from.

Cosmos

Cosmos are the ultimate whimsical flower that dances so beautifully in the garden and in a vase arrangement. They are also 'cut and come again' flowers. Here is a tip: in July or early July, plant fall cosmo colors like cranberry for fall bouquets!

Conclusion

Growing a cut flower garden can simply get started by sowing these seeds into loose soil after your last danger of frost has passed. Water daily until you see them sprout and then ever few days to a week after as they grow. Usually rain takes care of this for me here in Tennessee.

If you are new to growing a cut flower garden gives these seeds and try and make sure you check out my free Beginner Cut Flower Garden guide. I want to see your cut flower garden bloom, flower friend! I'd love to know in the comments below what you are growing!

Shop Botanical Interests