5 Cut Flowers to Start in February (in Zone 3)
It may seem early to start thinking about a cut flower garden, especially if you live in Zone 3 like me (as I write this, the snow is blowing around the gardens, and it is cold, cold, cold!). But, the dreams of summer are keeping me warm – not to mention, it’s nice and cozy in my germination station!
To help you stay warm, too, I’ve put together a list of five cut flowers you should be starting in February (if you haven’t already). All of these are currently under grow lights at the farm (click here to check out our easy, and cheap, retractable grow light system!). I’ve also included a few helpful tips that have shown me success in growing these flowers over the years!
DELPHINIUM
This workhorse of a perennial needs cold stratification before seeding. I typically will put the seeds in the freezer for 2 weeks before putting in mini soil blocks. I also have great luck putting the seeds in wet paper towel and a ziplock bag in the fridge for a couple of weeks and then taping that bag to a window to germinate. My go to variety is Magic Fountains, as it’s a shorter variety. This year, I’m also trying two varieties of Guardian and Jenny’s Blue.
YARROW
Easy peasy first year flowering perennial. This filler just doesn’t stop and comes in the most stunning pastel shades. We’re seeding Colorado mix, Double Diamond pearl, Love Parade (from Sow Local Seeds )and I’m also getting Terracotta plugs from Van Noort.
ECHINOPS
Common name, Globe Thistle. Controversial debate over whether these are blue or purple (IYKYK). I recommend sowing in bigger soil blocks as the seed is quite large. While you may get a few short stems your first year, this perennial doesn’t really start doin its thing until second year. We sow Ritro Blue and Starfrost (white).
FOXGLOVE
For many zones, this is a biennial, but in zone 3 I have not yet had success over wintering. For that reason, we only seed first year flowering varieties, like Camelot and Dalmation. Important note: most seed comes pelleted, and pelleted seed does not germinate well if you keep it over. So only buy the amount you plan to grow and reorder year after year.
LUPINE
These short lived perennials (biennials? Though they do flower their first year) actually propagate from dropping seed. Some people chip the seed with nail clippers (a process referred to as scarification) but we just put the seeds we plan to sow in water overnight to loosen up the hard outer coating. Also recommend larger soil blocks for these guys.
Alright, got all that info, kids? Now get planting!