A cutting patch for your garden by MK Florist Roz Chandler

1. When choosing which types of flowers to grow in your cutting patch – bear in mind that not all flowers are suitable for cutting or have a  long vase life. Sarah Raven has written some very good books on this subject and worth doing homework first.
2. Think ahead. Being a grower and a florist reminds me of being a fashion buyer (not that I have been one) ….both professions are always looking ahead at least 6 months and sometimes more. At this time of year we are planting bulbs in the tunnel and seeds in the greenhouse(perennials).
3. I would advise you take a course with one of the British growers. This is where my love started…..I never imagine I would fall in love and want to be a grower as well as a florist.
4. Plan your flowers from bulbs, to perennials, foliage and annuals. As a florist you can never have too much foliage.

And so to some of my favourites.

Roses

My favourite are a David Austin rose called Gertrude .(wasn’t he the cow out of the Magic roundabout? )The beautiful aroma of this flower is amazing.

Other favourite and popular for weddings is the Wollerton Old Hall for a soft yellow that fades to cream, Abraham Derby and Lark Ascending for a mix of soft pinks and apricots and Madame Alfred Carriere for large creamy white informal flowers.

Annuals

For beautiful fillers in a bouquet or arrangement my favourite are Ammi Majus and Ammi Visnaga. Easy to grow and delightful – I wouldn’t be without these.

Next I would add in a cosmos – in deep pink, light pink and white. These are the easiest flowers to grow, have a great long season and last well in a vase.

And perhaps an odd one –Zinnias. I didn’t love this initially but have since found a new love. They need dry arid conditions and are best grown in a tunnel. They have delightful long stems –perfect for bouquets or arrangements.

Perennials

With our unpredictable climate, perennials are a must. My favourite flower of all time is still the delphinium – long, elegant and in strong beautiful colours.

Foliage

Jasminium officinale gives gorgeous trails and pink tinged flower buds. I also like euphorbias for their mix of colours – adding a tinge of yellow to a beautiful arrangement. But my all time favourites are still rosemary and mint – beautifully scented.At Field Gate Flowers we endeavour to add herbs to all our arrangements.