Filler flowers are ESSENTIAL for every cut flower garden – they’ll bulk up your bouquets, they’re beautiful, and they’re typically very easy to grow. I rely heavily on fillers for my Flower Shares (bouquet subscriptions), AND florists love them.

ACHILLEA (Perennial)

Common name: Yarrow
Start date: 10 weeks before last frost
Likes: sun
Spacing: 12 inches
Height: 24-26 inches
Harvest: when pollen is visible on the flowers, requires a wiggle test.
Deadhead: yes
Bloom time: July-September

AMARANTHUS (Annual)

Common name: Amaranth
Start date: 6 weeks before last frost
Likes: sun
Spacing: 6-12 inches
Height: 36-48 inches
Harvest: when seed has begun to set and flower is stiff to the touch
Deadhead: no
Bloom time: July-September

AMMI (Annual)

Common name: Queen Anne’s Lace
Start date: Direct seed 2 weeks before last frost. Succession seed every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Likes: sun
Spacing: 6 inches
Height: 36-48 inches
Harvest: when more than 80% of flowers are open.
Deadhead: no
Bloom time: July-September

AGERATUM (Annual)

Common name: Floss Flower
Start date: 6 weeks before last frost
Likes: sun/part shade
Spacing: 6 inches
Height: 18-24 inches
Harvest: when more than 75% of flower spikes are open.
Deadhead: yes
Bloom time: July-September

DAUCUS (Annual)

Common name: Chocolate Lace Flower
Start date: Direct seed 2 weeks before last frost. Succession seed every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Likes: sun
Spacing: 6 inches
Height: 36-48 inches
Harvest: when more than 80% of flowers are open.
Deadhead: no
Bloom time: July-September

HIBISCUS (Annual)

Common name: Mahogany Splendor
Start date: 4-6 weeks before last frost
Spacing: 18 inches
Height: 24-48 inches
Harvest: when stems and leaves are hardy and woody
Deadhead: pinching not required but results in more branches
Bloom time: August -September

MOLUCCELLA (Annual)

Common name: Bells of Ireland
Start date: Direct seed in the fall or once the ground is workable in the spring
Likes: sun/part shade
Spacing: 6 inches
Height: 18-24 inches
Harvest: when bells are open, harvest regularly for branching.
Deadhead: yes
Bloom time: July-September

SOLIDAGO (Perennial)

Common name: Goldenrod
Start date: 10-12 weeks before first frost
Likes: sun
Spacing: 12 inches
Height: 36-48 inches
Harvest: when more than 80% of flowers are open.
Deadhead: yes
Bloom time: July-August

STATICE (Annual)

Common name: Sea Lavender
Start date: Direct seed 2 weeks before last frost. Succession seed every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.
Likes: sun
Spacing: 8-12 inches
Height: 18-24 inches
Harvest: when individual flowers are mostly open and showing colour
Deadhead: yes
Bloom time: July-September

My Top 10 Filler Flowers (& How to Grow Them)