Flowers

[Stan0406]

Have also posted this topic in basics (new to site...), but I need some help from the experts!  As a family we are new to this game, and thoroughly enjoying things.  The adults plant the veg, and the kids plant the flowers.  My eldest who is 12 has started to sell bunches of sweet peas to husbands on a Friday.... keeps all the husbands in their wife's good books, and keeps Tom in the money..... all his idea.  A business man in the making!!!
He is now planning ahead for next year - and also thinking of profits.... What he would like to know is - best flowers for cutting - easy to sow - preferably plants that the slugs do not like - and also ones that may come up year after year.  (not too much to ask really!)
He has planted lots of dahlias,  sweet peas and cornflowers at the moment, but would really welcome tips from those in the know!

[Stan0406]

[Tulipa]

I love Sweet Williams. they can be sown around now for picking this time next year, mine have continued for a few years but they are probably best sown each year.  I am sure other people will have other ideas - well done your lad for being so switched on, bet the wives really enjoy their flowers.

T

[froglets]

Alstromerias.  My fave's and they look exotic & expensive.  They may require a little up front investment & a year to get going, but in the right conditions, they bulk up and produce easy healthy flower stems.

[sandersj89]

Rudbeckia would fit the bill very well as they are easy to grow and make a great long lasting cut flower. No probs with slugs either.

Asters are also nice and easy and if you pick a tall one you get great cut flowers too.

How about sunflowers there are plently of varieties with small heads ideal for cutting and they make a stunning display, these are some of last years (Ruby Sunset):



For stuff that comes year on year you could do Freesias or Gladioli, both fairly easy.

HTH

Jerry

[Stan0406]

Thanks for replies - like you Jerry I too love sunflowers - but the slugs in somerset love them more.  Are there certain types of sunflowers that the slugs like least!!!

[markfield rover]

What about Ammi  it is a very posh "filler" a hardy annual  and easy to grow!
also why not have a peep at Sarah Raven,online, cutting garden, loads of good ideas
but I would shop around .... the seeds are not cheap .If you have a wilkos near you
they were selling seeds 75% off

[Tee Gee]

Good luck to him, I admire his enterprise!

As far as choice are concerned I think it would be fair to say that they are limitless.

You do not say what facilities you / he has for propagation and growing on, and this might be a factor in his final choice/s.

I will point you to a page on my website that might help, here you can select plants/plant times for particular uses. Then by clicking on the chosen plant/s you will get cultural instructions for them.

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Plants%20by%20location.htm