Overview:
In this trial, we were looking for annuals and perennials that make ideal cut flowers for the average home garden.  Judging criteria were plant's performance, disease/pest resistance, and production during the whole season allowing for continual harvesting of flowers/foliage.  Successful cut flowers stay fresh in arrangements for four days to one week.

We also included some edible plants that are ornamental and can be used with the cut flowers in arrangements.

Soil preparation:
We added composted horse manure to the plot.  No additional fertilizer was added.

Seeding and Planting:
Seeding was done in mid-February and transplanted in May.  Some varieties needed to be re-seeded because of our unusually late Spring.  Spacing was 18-24".  All were planted in full sun.

Watering:
Plot was watered with drip irrigation for 30 minutes three times a week at start then reduced to 20 minutes three times per week as the plants matured.

Pests and Diseases:
Gophers were the main pests.  Trapping was the method used.

Zinnias and cosmos began to mildew in mid August, as the nights became colder.  Birds were eating the sunflower leaves, which may have affected the overall productivity of the plants.

Harvesting:
We started harvesting the annuals, perennials, grasses and ornamental edibles on June 26, 2006 and continued once or twice per week until October 19, 2006.  Members of our team harvested and testing was done at each individual's home.  The Cucurbita maxima 'Queensland Blue' was harvested October 3, 2006 and October 13, 2006.

See Appendix A for the complete list of all cut flowers and ornamental edibles trialed this year.

Testing and Tasting:
Members of our team arranged the harvested flowers, foliage, fruits & grasses in containers using clean warm water and changing water every 2 to 3 days.  In some of the vases we used commercially sold Floral Life.

We asked a couple of our pepper experts at Nine Palms Ranch to taste both the 'Black Pearl' Ornamental pepper and the variegated pepper. Ornamental millets were also tasted.   All were tasted raw.  'Black Pearl' pepper was judged mild while the variegated pepper was hot.

The winter squash Cucurbita maxima 'Queensland Blue' was used as a plant base for flower arrangement.  Scones made with cooked 'Queensland Blue' squash were judged quite tasty.

Hints for Growing Cut Flowers Successfully:

• Head seedlings back when planting to encourage a strong leader with multi-branching stems.
• Check that seedling is not root bound.  Cut flower stems 1/4" above a leaf node, trim to desired length.
• Harvest in early morning or late afternoon.
• Immerse in deep warm water with or without preservative.
• Change water in vase every 2 or 3 days.
• Consult extending flower life charts since some flowers require different treatments.  Much research is being reported on this.

Summary:
All annuals tested made good cut flowers with the exception of Ageratum 'Timeless'.  It is a good flower planted in front of borders or containers.

All ornamental edibles tested made good additions to cut flower arrangements with the exception of Basil 'Spicy Saber' and Swiss chard 'Neon Lights'.  The Swiss chard leaves were too big and flimsy and the stem on 'Spicy Saber' basil is too short.  Both peppers had black, green, and red fruits, beautiful foliage, and sturdy stems, making them ideal as additions to cut flower arrangements.  Since the overall plant size is about 18", we recommend these two peppers and the basils as container plants.

All grasses tested were good performers.

Top choices for cut flower arrangements are:

Appendix A

Botanical Name / Variety
Common Name
Notes
Source

Ageratum 'Timeless'
Ageratum
1' bushy, for garden border but not ideal cut flower.
BI

Amaranthus caudatus 'Love Lies Bleeding'
Amaranth
A good choice for arrangement.
MG

Amaranthus caudatus 'Fat Spike'
Amaranth
Erect fat deep red spikes - good fresh or dried.
TM

Amaranthus cruentus 'Hot Biscuit'
Amaranth
Bright burgundy multi-stem and flowers. Good for cut flowers.
SS

Amaranthus cruentus 'Bi-color by Jean Lee'
Amaranth
Beautiful foliage color when young but as it matures, it loses color and is not attractive for cutting .
MG

Amaranthus gangeticus 'Molten Fire'
Amaranth
Beautiful red foliage when young. Not good when mature.
ST

Aster 'Standy Mix'
Aster
Late planting but lasted through September. Good cut flower.
ST

Beta vulgaris 'Neon Lights'
Swiss Chard
Gopher got to it before we did.
N

Capsicum annuum hyb. 'Black Pearl'
Ornamental Black Pepper
2' ht. Beautiful shiny black foliage, healthy, fruit black turning to red, mild taste. Good container plant. AAS Winner.
N

Capsicum annuum hyb. 'Variegated'
Ornamental Variegated Pepper
2' ht. A winner. Beautiful variegated foliage on plant but wilts when cut. Loaded with cute black to red fruit that hold up well as cut decor, taste hot; Good container plant.
PS

Celosia spicata 'Flamingo Feather'
Celosia
Dries well. Spike form. Good cut flower. Attractive in garden.
TM

Chenopodium
Quinoa
3' ht. Not as intense as color noted on packet. Flower peaked first week of August. Interesting flower spike lime green to red.
BI

Chenopodium berlandieri 'Huanzontle'
Red Aztec Spinach
4-5' ht. Very colorful in late season, pretty lacy filler. Dries well.
N

Clarkia elegans
Clarkia
Beautiful. A good choice for cut flower; self seeding; planted in June, gone by end of July. Try growing for winter flowering.
R

Cleome spinosa
Spider Flower
Spikey, colorful flowers, failed test because of thorns .
BI

Cosmos bipinatus 'Double Click'
Double Click Cosmos
Pink and magenta double petals.
R

Cosmos bipinatus 'Dancing Petticoat' includes 'Seashells' and 'Psyche'
Cosmos
A mix of excellent cosmos for the garden and as cut flowers. Mix of colors: shades of pink and white.
R

Cosmos bipinatus 'Harmony'
Harmony Cosmos
Single petals, pink, deep rose, white; bees love them.
R

Cosmos bipinatus 'Sonata Mix'
Knee High Cosmos
Single flower; 3' ht. Attracts bees and butterflies. Good for cutting.
R

Cucurbita maxima 'Queensland Blue'
Blue Squash
Decorative for fall with attractive blue color, deeply ribbed; cooked squash made tasty scones. A good tasting winter squash.
N

Cynoglossum amabile
Chinese Forget Me Not
Beautiful sky blue flower but fragile as a cut flower.
SS

Gomphrena haageana 'Mardi Gras Parade'
Globe Amaranth
One of the best cut flowers for short vases. Beautiful and long lasting. Dries well, keeps strawberry red color
R

Helianthus annuus 'Joker'
Sunflower
5-6' ht. Bi-colored ray petals are mahogany red w/golden yellow tips. Vigorous and heavy bloomer.
R

Helianthus annuus 'Music Box'
Sunflower
3-4' ht. Bushy; blooms freely; clear yellow to deep gold and cream with bi-color bronze over gold flowers.
R

Helianthus annuus 'Angel's Halo'
Sunflower
3-4' ht. Best choice of all sunflowers we trialed. Yellow, slightly curled petals.
R

Helianthus annuus 'Chocolate Cherry'
Sunflower
Heavy bloomer, dark chocolate flower, dynamic in arrangements.
R

Helianthus annuus 'Cinnamon Sun'
Sunflower
Heavy bloomer but not as attractive as 'Music Box' or 'Angel's Halo'.
R

Ocimum basilicum 'Cardinal'
Basil
Great addition to cut flowers. A true edible and ornamental cut flower. Cardinal red in sun.
MG

Ocimum basilicum 'Spicy Saber'
Basil
Beautiful serrated leaves; scented; Limited to short cut flower arrangements due to its short stem.
MG

Pennisetum glaucum hyb. 'Jester'
Ornamental Millet
3' ht. Great foliage color during early growing stage. Flower spikes large and dynamic - dries well.
N

Pennisetum glaucum hyb. 'Purple Baron'
Ornamental Millet
3' ht. Beautiful. Good choice for cut flower. Flower spike very similar to 'Jester' and 'Purple Majesty'.
BI

Solanum melongena 'Green Giant'
Eggplant
Good combined with 'Casper' variety.
JS

Solanum melongena 'Rosa Bianca'
Eggplant
Gopher got to it before we did.
SC

Solanum melongena 'Italian Bi-Color'
Eggplant
Gopher food. Will try again.
SC

Solanum melongena 'Baby Bambino'
Eggplant
Very productive, can be a great addition to a small garden. Good container plant. Cute cluster.
BI

Solanum melongena 'Casper'
Eggplant
Pretty when combined with Green Giant variety and other colors.
TS

Triticale sp.
Utrecht Blue Wheat
3' ht. Turns blue in August. Good addition to a dry flower arrangement.
N

Zinnia elegans 'Hot Crayon Mix'
Zinnia
3-4' ht; mix of red, citrus orange, and golden yellow varieties. Excellent cut flower.
R

Zinnia elegans 'Zowie'
Zinnia
3-4' ht; Number 1 choice cut flower; attracts butterflies; AAS, fleuroselect winner. All American Flower Selection.
B

Seed Sources:
B Burpee
BI Botanical Interest
JS Johnny's Seed
MG Master Gardener saved seed
N Nichols
PS Parks Seed
R Renee's Garden
SC Seeds of Change
SS Seeds Savers
ST Stokes
TM Thompson & Morgan
TS Territorial Seed