As all the bulbs are starting to appear in the garden centres and nurseries ready for planting this autumn along with all the seed catalogues, now is the perfect time to start planning a cutting garden. Whether considering giving over an area of the garden to it or adding a few extra plants to existing borders come next year there’ll be a few extra flowers to snip off and enjoy inside. The easiest way, particularly if space is tight is to add a few extra or choose some new bulbs to include in the borders or pots, starting in spring with the narcissus. Whether choosing the taller varieties for the middle of the border or the smaller more delicate varieties to peak out at the front or to plant up in pots there are plenty to choose from.

Narcissus

Some of my favourites are the creamy white of Thalia, as a bonus it’s also scented (ideal to fill a vase with) or the smaller Elka and the pale lemon of Minnow with its cheerful yellow centres. The British native Narcissus pseudonarcissusis an iconic spring flower with its white petals and deep yellow centres, whether naturalising in grass or adding to the borders or the vibrant yellow of Trevithian. As a small aside I always grow some Paperwhites in time for winter, I love how their scent fills the kitchen and they act as a reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Tulipa ‘Bleu Aimable’

Tulips come in just about any colour you could want to create a flower arrangement or fill a vase with from the dark purples (which I love)  of Queen of the Night and Jan Reus or the slender lily shaped tulip of Havran. Rem’s Favourite combines a purple and white, perfect for planting with purples or whites such as the slender White Triumphator. Or Purrissima a more creamy white with a delicate lemon yellow stripe or Spring Green white with a green stripe. Moving through the spectrum to the hotter colours, from the pale apricot of Foxtrot, to the yellow edged petals of Gavota with its deep red centres or the orange and red of Prinses Irene. These are just a snapshot of what’s available, from the early flowering varieties, the slender lily shaped to the waved edged parrot tulips and fringed tulips, there is even Tulipa ‘Ice Cream’ that looks like a scoop of vanilla sat in a pink bowl or at least very paeony like. Carrying on into late spring, even just a few pompom heads of Alliums, on their own or mixed in with other flowers look stunning, as a cut flower I particularly like Allium x hollandicumor the variety Purple Sensation.

Mixed tulip planting

Moving into summer with Dahlias whether preferring the simple single flowering, the pompoms or the double flowered varieties from the deep black-reds of Karma Choc (I grow it for its name alone), Nuit d’Eté, the pompoms of Jowey Mirella or the delicate Mexican Star, a cross between a dahlia and a chocolate cosmos. I love the deep chocolate foliage of Twyning’s After Eight with its pale flowers and moving onto oranges, the orange and pink colourwash effect on the petals of Totally Tangerine or the more blousy Labyrinth. Autumnal colours of Jescot Julie (orange), Arabian Night (wine red) and David Howard (orange).

Dahlias and Fennel flowers

The narcissus, tulips and alliums all need planting in autumn around October to November time. Dahlias are May to July after the frost has passed, they will need lifting and storing over winter, once the first frosts have started to blacken the leaves. However all the catalogues are out now and there is no time like the present for planning. I’d love to help you create the garden you’ve always wanted and this is a great time to get planning. Just get in touch and we’ll get your consultation booked in.