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UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County

Cut Flower Planting Chart

Garden Help

The ornamentals included in this chart have been trialed and successfully grown by the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. Varieties were selected for local or online availability of seeds, hardiness, garden or container suitability, appeal to pollinators, and production of good cutting flowers.

Key: A=Annual, P=Perennial, Sp=Spring flowers, Su=Summer flowers, F=Fall flowers, W=Winter flowers, SS=Self seeds, D=Deer resistant

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8b, 9a, 9b
Central CA Climate Zones: 7, 14, 15, 16, 17

 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecNotes
Ageratum
SeedXXX         
Blue, pink or white round fluffy flowers good in flower beds, as cut flowers and as borders. Start indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost or outdoors after last frost. A, Sp, Su, F
Transplant   XXX      
Direct Sow    XX      
Agrostemma (Corn Cockle)
Seed       X    
Hardy annual up to 3' height. Soft pink, purple & white, good cut flower. Seed and transplant or direct seed 4–5 weeks before last frost. A, Su, F, SS, TOXIC TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS
Transplant        X   
Direct Sow  XXX       
Amaranthus (Love Lies Bleeding, Green Thumb)
SeedXXX         
Drooping and upright spikes in dark red, coral, green, rust, crimson. Can reach 5' tall, attract pollinators and butterflies. Low water requirements. A, Su, F, SS
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow    XXX     
Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace, Bishop's Weed)
SeedX           
Delicate lacy blooms, good filler for flower arrangements or drying for crafts. 1–3' tall, grow well in full sun or light shade, prolific re-seeders A, Sp, Su, F, SS
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow  X         
Asclepias (Milkweed)
SeedX   XXX     
Clusters of small yellow, orange or white blooms. Attract butterflies (including monarchs), bees, hummingbirds. Low maintenance P, Sp, Su, F, SS, D, MAY BE TOXIC TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS
Transplant   XXXXXX   
Direct Sow            
Centaurea americana (Basket Flower)
SeedXXX         
Multi-branched stems with lavender/pink 4–5" wide flowers that look similar to thistle. Plants grow to 3–6', have low water requirements, and attract butterflies. A, Sp
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow       XXX  
Bells of Ireland
SeedXX          
Tall spikes of green bell-like flowers, excellent in arrangements. May need staking. Prolific re-seeders A, Sp, Su, F, SS
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow   XX       
Baby's Breath
SeedXX          
Tiny white or pastel flowers used in bouquets and centerpieces. P, Su, F, SS, TOXIC TO HUMANS AND PETS
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow  XXX       
Broom Corn
Seed XX         
Coarse grass with woody stalk that grows 6–15' tall. Used for making brooms, cultivation of its grain, decorative purposes including filler for arrangements. Harvest in fall. A, Su, F, D
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow  XXXX      
Celosia
Seed XX         
Member of amaranth family, 3 types based on flower structure: plumed, wheat and cockscomb. 8–36" tall, vibrant colors good for fresh and dry arrangements. Can be propagated from cuttings. A, Su, F
Transplant    XX      
Direct Sow            
Clarkia
Seed       X    
Frilly 4 petal flowers, usually white, pink or red. Long lasting as cut flowers, little care required. Direct sow in early spring or in the fall. Attract pollinators. A, Su, F, SS
Transplant        X   
Direct Sow   XX   XXX 
Cosmos
Seed X          
3–5" daisy-like flowers in pink, orange, red, yellow, white or maroon. Plants grow 18–60" tall and tolerate warm, dry weather. Good cut flowers. A, Su, SS
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow   XXX      
Craspedia (Billy Buttons)
SeedX           
Evergreen perennial with 1" golden yellow ball shaped flowers. Good in fresh or dry arrangements. Blooms year round in warm climates. P
Transplant  XX        
Direct Sow            
Dusty Miller
SeedXX          
Yellow flowers with silver lacy foliage, 6–12" tall. Good for cutting and filler for flower arrangements. A, Su
Transplant  XX        
Direct Sow  XX        
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
SeedX           
Usually bright red with yellow tips. Best suited for flower beds, 24–36" tall. Extremely drought tolerant and can be sowed in spring or fall. P, Su, F
Transplant   XX       
Direct Sow   XX   XX  
Gomphocorpus (Balloon Milkweed, Family Jewels)
SeedX     XX    
Non-native milkweed with near purple flowers followed by a round balloon-like fruit. Grows 4–6' tall, attracts butterflies and other pollinators. P, SS, TOXIC TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS
Transplant    XX    X 
Direct Sow            
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
SeedXX          
Pink, purple, red, orange or white gum all flowers, 1–2' tall. Good in garden borders, cutting for fresh or dry arrangements. Grow well in dry conditions. A, Su, F
Transplant    XX      
Direct Sow            
  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecNotes
Linaria (Toad flax)
Seed  XX   X    
Annual and herbaceous perennial varieties, 12–24" tall. Flowers are similar to snapdragons and attract pollinators and wildlife. Bloom summer to late fall, prolific re-seeders. A, P, SS, TOXIC TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS
Transplant    XX  XX  
Direct Sow    XX      
Pumpkin on a Stick
SeedXX          
Ornamental eggplants that look like miniature pumpkins. Plants grow 3–4' high, 2–3' wide. Branches require support. Susceptible to pests and fungal growth. Use for dry flower arrangements. A, F, TOXIC TO CATS, DOGS, HORSES
Transplant    XX      
Direct Sow            
Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan, Gloriosa Daisy)
Seed XX    XX   
Clump forming plant with 2–3" diameter bright color flowers with dark or green center. 2–3' tall.