7 Lovely Cutting Garden Plans (Sample Layouts + Tips For Your Own)

There’s nothing as charming as a cutting garden in your backyard. Here are sample garden plans you can use and tips for creating your cutting garden design.

When designing a regular flower garden, you need to think about plants that look good together and bloom in pleasing color combinations. A cutting garden plan is slightly different because the harvest is the point. But of course, you’ll still want lovely bouquets that will last all season.

Every gardener will have different goals. Do you want soft colors? Sunflowers all season long? A natural look to your bouquets? Browse through pictures of cut flower bouquets first, and begin with the end in mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Below, you’ll find some sample plans you can use as-is. You can add these as a section in your vegetable garden or have them as a free-standing flower bed.
  • These are all for 4 x 8 beds, representing a raised bed or a section of a wide row. If your rows are different sizes, adapt.
  • If you have a small space, pick your favorite. If you have more room, like a few. (I’d start with one Classic Cutting Garden bed, then add the Season Extender Beds)
cut zinnias,  sunflowers, and cutting basil
the classic plan below will give you bouquets like this

1. The Classic Cutting Garden Plan

This plan features beautiful flowers with long stems. They are cutting garden favorites for a reason, and they shine here.

 A sample cutting garden plan showcasing a variety of sunflowers and zinnias in a structured layout. The top row features Pro-cut Orange sunflowers, followed by a row of Sunrich Gold sunflowers, then Benary's Giant Red Zinnias, Sensation Blend Cosmos, a combination of Genovese basil and lemon catnip, and Benary's Giant Carmine Zinnias at the bottom.

This plan has a few herbs, but they are mostly for mixing in your bouquets. You’ll need more than this if you want lots of basil to eat. And when you want to create your herb garden, here’s a guide you can check.

2. Bright and Colorful Cutting Flowers

Dahlias and plenty of annuals boast bright colors. If you’re looking for some cheerful color to bring indoors throughout the growing season, this is the plan for you.

A colorful cutting garden plan with diverse flower types. The leftmost column features Strawflower, the next columns include mixed colors of Zinnias and Cosmos, and the rightmost column presents mixed Dahlias, arranged in a grid format that alternates flower types vertically.

Pick a few of your favorite dahlias; remember they come in different sizes and space requirements. You may be able to fit a lot or just a few.

3. All-White Flower Garden

This cutting garden features beautiful, understated blooms that almost complement many flowers with more color. You can pair this with another cut flower garden layout or enjoy the peaceful look of white and cream.

: A cutting garden plan with an elegant arrangement of Shasta Daisy, Buttercream Sunflowers, Queen Anne's Lace, Benary's Giant White Zinnia, and White Cupcake Cosmos. The layout displays rows of flowers in alternating colors and types, with a clear path down the middle for easy access.

Buttercream sunflowers will be pale yellow, not an actual cream. These flowers also look beautiful paired with greenery, like catnip or an ornamental basil.

4. Longest Flowering Season

The next two beds show the same flower garden at two different times of the year. Choose plants that bloom early and then another set that blooms mid- through late summer. These require a little bit of math and planning. You’ll need to pay attention to the days to maturity for each variety.

Early Season Extender

: A planned cutting garden showcasing early to late season blooms. Sweet peas and snapdragons are in the first column, followed by an empty row for future planting, light-colored sunflowers in the third column, early zinnias started indoors in the fourth, and an empty space in the last column, laid out for a staggered blooming schedule.

Be sure to leave the empty spaces as marked. Some plants can go out before the last frost, but others can’t.

Season Extender (Late)

This bed will come in later in the season as the bed above is dying back. The styles and colors of these flowers are perfect for late summer.

A sample garden layout featuring a wildflower-inspired aesthetic with Black-Eyed Susan and Queen Anne's Lace as focal flowers, complemented by herbs like basil, catnip, and dill, and accented with Cornflower on the far right, arranged in a checkered pattern.

When planting the late zinnias, make sure you choose yellows, reds, and other fall colors. No one likes pink in September!

5. Wildflower Inspired Cut Flower Garden

If you love wildflowers but want something predictable, this cutting garden design features Black-eyed Susan, poppies, and other wild-looking flowers.

A cutting garden plan with a sequential planting design, featuring Queen Anne's Lace, a mix of Burgundy and orange sunflowers, followed by the remains of early sunflowers and zinnias, and concluding with late-blooming zinnias, designed for continuous blooms throughout the season.

Of course, you could always buy a packet of wildflowers and let them surprise you.

6. The Easy to Grow Cutting Garden

Are you a beginner gardener? Try this layout that features simple, classic flowers. Even if you become a master gardener, you’ll probably still enjoy these plants.

garden plan divided into sections with sunflowers, marigolds, and zinnias.

Because this plan features the best-cut flowers for beginners, you will likely be successful. And there’s no shame in these plants; they are all beautiful choices experienced gardeners love.

Raised Beds vs. Rows for Cut Flower Gardens

Cutting gardens will do very well in traditional row styles or as raised beds.

Rows can make for easier harvesting with minimal bending or reaching. You can plant a large plot in rows of flowers or tuck one flower row at the end of your vegetable garden.

Raised beds are perfect for having a small cutting garden in your backyard. You won’t need to worry about tilling, and you can set them up in just a weekend.

And if you don’t have room for either type, plant an 18-inch wide strip where you can find the space. This style fits perfectly in most yards and easily between walkways or fences.

You’ll Love These

Garden Design Principles to Remember

A well-planned cutting garden will make it easy and enjoyable to harvest and arrange fresh bouquets from your garden. Keep these things in mind as you make your plan.

Make it Easy to Work in

When planning the width of your beds, know how far you can comfortably reach first. If you can reach 2 feet and access your bed from both sides, you can plant a wide, 4-foot row.

But if you can’t reach that far comfortably, make the row shallower! Don’t guess! You’ll need to spend much time in your flower beds as you harvest, remove dead flowers, and more.

To make a cutting garden as colorful as possible, plant flowers at different heights at their blooming stage. This makes the garden look attractive and helps you use spaces that would otherwise go unused.

Don’t Forget Fillers

This might not apply to you if you love lots of color in your bouquets. But some people appreciate some calm mixed in their homegrown flowers and plant some foliage plants.

If you’re looking for something with great texture, try planting feather reed grass in the background of your bed.

You might also like:

  • Dusty Miller
  • Herbs
  • Ornamental Kale or Cabbage
  • Baby’s Breath

Gardeners Basics, Flower Garden Seeds for Planting Outdoors Flower Seeds (5 Variety Pack) Daisy, Marigold, Cosmos, Sunflower, Zinnia Varieties for Bees, Pollinators Wildflower SeedGardeners Basics, Flower Garden Seeds for Planting Outdoors Flower Seeds (5 Variety Pack) Daisy, Marigold, Cosmos, Sunflower, Zinnia Varieties for Bees, Pollinators Wildflower SeedYaheetech 8×4ft Wooden Horticulture Raised Garden Bed Divisible Elevated Planting Planter Box for Flowers/Vegetables/Herbs in Backyard/Patio Outdoor, Natural Wood, 93 x 48 x 10inYaheetech 8×4ft Wooden Horticulture Raised Garden Bed Divisible Elevated Planting Planter Box for Flowers/Vegetables/Herbs in Backyard/Patio Outdoor, Natural Wood, 93 x 48 x 10inGardeners Basics, Flower Seeds Packets for Planting 35 Individual Varieties Perennial, Annual, Wildflower Seeds for Planting Outdoors for Bees and Butterflies - Semillas de Flores HermosasGardeners Basics, Flower Seeds Packets for Planting 35 Individual Varieties Perennial, Annual, Wildflower Seeds for Planting Outdoors for Bees and Butterflies – Semillas de Flores HermosasMy Gardening Journal: A Weekly Tracker and Logbook for Planning Your GardenMy Gardening Journal: A Weekly Tracker and Logbook for Planning Your GardenThe Cutting Garden: Growing and Arranging Garden FlowersThe Cutting Garden: Growing and Arranging Garden FlowersAn American Cutting Garden: A Primer for Growing Cut Flowers Where Summers Are Hot and Winters Are ColdAn American Cutting Garden: A Primer for Growing Cut Flowers Where Summers Are Hot and Winters Are Cold

 

Make Sure You Have Flowers Blooming All Season Long

If you have the space, plant your cut flower garden strategically to have blooms from June until frost.

  • Use succession planting for midseason flowers like sunflowers and zinnias.
  • Plant early bloomers like snapdragons, sweet peas, and Shasta daisies
  • Take advantage of spring bulbs and flowering shrubs to extend your bloom times
  • Plant some seeds indoors for a head start in the spring

How to Pick the Right Flowers for Your Garden

Pick plants that grow well in your location and that you like. Other than that, the sky’s the limit.

Most cut flowers will like a sunny spot with well-drained soil. If you have that, your flower bed can hold just about anything you’d like.

(If you find a particular flower that doesn’t do well in your garden, try planting it in a container instead.)

The whole point of a cutting garden is to bring beauty and joy to your life, so make sure your garden reflects your favorite flowers.

Some popular choices that will bring a smile to your face:

  • Teddy Bear Sunflowers (read more about growing sunflowers)
  • Burgundy Mix Sweet Peas
  • Annual Phlox
  • Sweet Potato Vine

Key Tip

Vegetables and flowers can be grown in the same beds without harming either plant. Flowers are often beneficial to vegetables and help with pollination.

How to Use Garden Space Efficiently

Consult your seed packet or favorite gardening books to space each flower in your cutting garden. Remember that you can plant some plants along garden borders and intersperse flowers amongst each other.

You can pull some very early flowers, such as sweet peas or snapdragon, and plant a later-season bloomer.

You can have fresh bouquets throughout the growing season by planting a succession of blooming flowers.

Remember to use containers around your house, too. You can easily fit many annuals in a 2-foot round pot, and there is plenty of room for them to grow.

FAQs

What are some good sources of seeds?

Good seed sources include garden centers, seed catalogs, and online retailers when starting your cut flower garden. Be sure to check the seed packets for planting instructions.

How much space do I need for a cutting garden?

Your growing space will depend on the types of flowers you want to grow. For smaller gardens, you can use raised beds or large containers. Consider using a planting bed that fits your area if you have limited space.

What is the best time to water my flowers?

Watering your cut flowers in the early morning is a good idea. This allows the water to soak in before the heat of the day.

Suggestions

Improving Soil Quality

A soil test is an important step before planting. Add organic matter, like compost or leaf litter, to improve soil quality. This will help your flowers grow strong and healthy.

Choosing Flowers

Consider your personal preferences and the color palettes you love. Mixing annual flowers with perennial plants can give you blooms throughout the season. Hardy annuals like Bachelor’s Buttons and Globe Amaranth are great choices for beginners

Using Tall Plants

Plant taller flowers, such as sunflowers and dahlias, at the back of the bed. This helps create a layered look and ensures all your flowers get enough sunlight

Succession Planting

To have fresh flowers all season, use succession planting. This involves planting new flowers at intervals so you always have something blooming. Early summer flowers can be followed by those that bloom in late summer or early fall.

Want to print ’em all out? Click here for an instant download PDF.

plan with black eyed susans, dill, basil, poppies, and bachelor's buttons
garden plan showing sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, catnip, and basil
layout for cutting garden with daisies, light sunflowers, Queen Anne's Lace, white zinnias, and white cosmos
grid layout for flower garden with sunflowers, marigolds. cosmos, and zinnias
grid of cutting flowers for fall such as burgundy sunflowers
garden with early-season flowers such as sweet peas and snapdragons
cutting garden plan for bright flowers showing strawflowers, zinnias. cosmos, and dahlias

I hope you found a plan you like or at least inspiration to create your own. Don’t forget your first year of gardening won’t be perfect. Neither will your 20th! But I hope you love them all the same.

flower garden with marigolds, coneflowers, foliage plants, and more
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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2 Comments

  1. This article is quite lovely, and quite handy for a novice flower grower like me! I’m going to try it. Thank you.