Husbands, listen up! It’s National Wife Appreciation Day and it’s time to show your wife how much you appreciate her. Fall is a great time for planting perennials and is also the optimal time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Surprise your wife by planting a cut-flower garden that will provide endless vases filled with beautiful blooms come spring. It’s a gift that keeps on giving!

English Gardens carries a wide variety of spring flowering bulbs that are ideal for cut flower gardens.

Daffodil: Daffodil bulbs produce the best cut flowers! With flowers that can grow to be 2 feet tall and blooms that reach 5 inches in diameter, Daffodils represent the first sign of spring. Avoid arranging Daffodils with other cut flowers as it exudes a substance that is harmful to other flowers. If you do wish to the mix with other flowers, place your Daffodils in a vase of cool water to soak overnight. This will help release any toxins.  

To prepare the arrangement, fill a clean vase halfway with room temperature water. Daffodils last longer in shallow water. Using a sharp knife or floral shears, cut the stems at a 45 degree angle. Add flower food the vase. Over the next two to three days, cut the stems again, change the water and add more flower food. Keep flowers out of direct sunlight and in a cool environment to ensure they last longer.

Tulip: Since each bulb only produces one flower, generously plant Tulip bulbs to ensure your wife receives multiple blooms! For longer lasting flowers, cut Tulips when they are still closed but the color is evident.

Similarly to Daffodils, cut stems at a 45 degree angle. However, Tulips do not require cut flower food and should be placed in plain, clean water. They typically last for a week.

Allium: Alliums are popular in gardens for their unique lollipop shape. This same shape could make for an unusual flower arrangement. The best time to cut Alliums is when less than half of the flowers have opened. Globemaster and Giganteum are the best varieties for cut flowers.

Cut at a 45 degree angle and place in a container of room temperature water, mixed with floral food. They will last approximately 2 weeks.

In addition to bulbs, there are numerous perennials that double as great plants for cut flower bouquets. Perennials benefit from fall planting as cooler air temperatures and warm soil allows for successful root growth.

Coneflowers: With such a wide range of colors, Coneflowers are ideal for adding a pop of color to floral bouquets. They typically last 4 to 6 days in a vase.

Salvia: Salvia has a very long bloom period that lasts from early summer to early fall. A low maintenance and carefree perennial, Salvia benefits from cutting and makes for the perfect perennial cut flower. It can last for 4 to 7 days.

Black-eyed Susan: With striking black centers and yellow, gold petals, Black-eyed Susans add both mass and accent to floral arrangements. They will last approximately 7 to 10 days in a vase.

Yarrow:  With very low maintenance, Yarrow is one of the easiest perennials to maintain in your garden. Its flat, brightly blooms come in a variety of colors that range from red to yellow and orange. Yarrow is a long lasting cut perennial. It typically lasts for 10-12 days in a vase.

Roses: Often at the top of people’s minds for cut flowers, Roses are a low-maintenance perennial. Cut Roses in the early morning, when they’re most hydrated. Select flowers that are in the late bud stage. Strip off the lower leaves before placing a vase of water mixed with flower food. Recut stems every 2 to 3 days. Roses can typically last for 7-10 days.