Long-Stemmed Perennials for Cut Flowers

Daisy-Flowered Perennials

• Many of the daisy-flowered perennials have long, sturdy stems that make them good cut flowers. Purple coneflowers (Echinacea) and black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia) should be cut when the flowers are just beginning to open as should bee balm (Monarda) and marguerite daisies (Anthemis). Wait until Shasta daisies (Chrysanthemum, also labeled Leucanthemum) and perennial sunflowers (Helenium, Helianthus and Heliopsis) are at least half open before harvesting.

Spikes

• Tall, spiky flowers add drama to any arrangement. Perennial larkspur (Delphinium) comes in almost every color of the rainbow and can be cut when about half of the flowers on the spike have opened as can bellflowers (Campanula). Harvest plantain lily (Hosta) flowers when the flower buds begin to show color. That goes for false dragonhead (Physostegia) and lupines (Lupinus), too. Blazing star (Liatris) is harvested when the top florets open but cut torch lilies (Kniphofia) when the bottom flowers open, as these two spiky perennials open their flowers from opposite directions. Foxglove (Digitalis) and monkshood (Aconium) both last a long time as cut flowers but use them with caution around pets and small children as all flower parts are poisonous.

Fillers

• Every bouquet needs fillers to add bulk and cohesion to the arrangement. Long-stemmed perennials that make good fillers include baby's breath (Gypsophila), sea lavender (Limonium) and meadow rue (Thalictrum). Cut all of them when most of the tiny, individual flowers are open.

Other Perennials

• Many other perennials have long stems and are valuable additions to flower arrangements. Peonies (Paeonia) are the queen of late spring gardens and often last longer in vases than they do outside. Globe thistles (Echinops) are not only good cut flowers, but they dry well, too. Cut peonies and globe thistles as well as summer phlox (Phlox) when the flowers are about half open. Goldenrod (Solidago) can be cut when the tiny flowers on the panicles are just starting to open and show color.