A comprehensive guide on growing the best cut and come again flowers for autumn. Learn which flowering annuals to plant in late summer for long-lasting autumn blooms — with Elly Keen (@daydream.green)
By mid-summer in the cutting garden you will be indulging yourself with armfuls of blooms to brighten your home. Friends and family won’t leave without a bunch, and you are completely at bliss soaking up the hazy, daydream of flowers and sun. But don’t be fooled. The garden will not remain as floriferous as it is now, especially when your spring sown annuals start to tire after months of cutting.
At this time of year, in late summer, it is the last chance to resow for autumn to keep the colour going in the garden. There are plenty of fast-growing annuals that can be directly sown into blank spots in the garden where seedheads are starting to form.
If preferred, you can always pop down to one of your local garden stores and grab a punnet of annual plants for a head start. Whether you’re sowing or transplanting, either way you will not regret the effort come autumn.
Phlox ‘Creme Brulee’
What are annual flowers?
Annuals get their name from their lifecycle. They complete their entire growth period (germination, flower and setting seed) within one season and then die.
There are two types of flowering annuals: winter annuals and summer annuals.
Winter annuals
Winter annuals germinate in the autumn and grow slowly over the winter before flowering in spring. They prefer cooler temperatures to flourish and will usually die due to the heat of summer. These are called ‘hardy annuals’.
Summer annuals
Summer annuals germinate in the spring, they flower during the summer / autumn and die in winter from the cold. These are called ‘tender annuals’ because they are susceptible to frost damage.
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During the late summer / early autumn, we can sow tender annuals because there are still several months left to enjoy their blooms before the first frosts hit.
Benefits of annual flowers
Annual flowers have their place in the garden because they fill gaps in a garden bed, providing a burst of seasonal interest very quickly.
Annual seeds typically tend to germinate easier from seed when compared to perennial flowers, so they are perfect for beginners. This easy germination also means they can be directly sown or scattered around the garden and will grow well.
Due to their lifecycle, annuals are renowned for being fast growing plants. Many annuals will flower in six weeks, while there are some out there that will flower in little as four. Perfect for when you are looking to add colour in a pinch!
Lastly, another benefit of annual flowers is that they are profuse bloomers. Meaning you will get a period of a month or more where the plant will be smothered in flowers, adding an intense hit of colour to your garden. With annual flowers, you can encourage a longer flowering period with regular deadheading.
Fast-growing cut and come again flowers
Here is a list of fast-growing cut and come-again flowers that can be sown in late summer for autumn colour. These types of flowers act as cheap and cheery fillers in your cut flower garden, and are some of the easiest cut flowers to grow. These flowering plants will provide a much-needed colour injection in the autumn time to keep the growing season going.
Note: Planting in full sun with good quality and well-drained soil is going to get the best results.
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus is a fun and floaty flower that comes in an array of colours and forms. There is a cosmos variety to suit any space, whether you would like a shorter variety for the front of the border like ‘Apricotta’ and ‘Rubenza’ or a back of the garden queen like ‘Fizzy Rose Picotee.’
Zinnia
Zinnia elegans are a quintessential autumn flower – performing best in the heat of the late summer and early autumn. They are much loved by bees and butterflies. There are so many unusual types on zinnia, and you may struggle to narrow down a favourite. Look for varieties such as ‘Zinderella Peach or Lilac’ for their fuzzy, fluffy flowers or ‘Benary Giant Series’ for wow factor and height in the border.
Strawflower
The versatility of Helichrysum monstrosum is what adds to its appeal. This long-lasting flower will has continuous blooms for a longer period than most annuals and can also be cut and dried. Once established, the plant will also endure tough conditions so if you are struggling with a dry area in the border where very little grows – then strawflower may be your answer. Look for varieties such as Strawflower ‘Salmon Rose,’ ‘Silvery Rose’ and ‘Vintage White.’
Amaranthus
If you are looking for a spike shaped flower that adds height and verticality to the garden, then Amaranthus caudatus is for you. Varieties such as ‘Hot Biscuits’ and ‘Velvet Curtains’ have plume-like feather heads that are perfect for the back of the border. If you are looking for something a bit more dramatic, the hanging ‘Emerald Tassels’ or ‘Coral Fountain’ are a must-grow.
Matricaria
These cute daisy-like flowers are also called Feverfew and are in the same family as German Chamomile. But they have been bred as a cut flower, making their flower stems taller and stronger and less likely to flop in the garden. Look for varieties such as Matricaria ‘Campagne’ or the double form ‘Tetra’ which will give your space an instant cottage garden feel.
Marigolds
Tagetes erecta do not always have to be reserved as pollinator plants for your tomatoes. There are so many cut flower varieties out there in different colours and forms to make your garden pop. Look for taller hybrids such as ‘African Ivory’ or ‘Hawaii’ which can be useful to fill gaps in the middle of the border, but also make a modern looking cut flower.
Calendula
One of the easiest seeds to sow, simply scatter around the garden and watch the pollinators flock. Calendula offinalis is well-known as a companion plant, attracting many beneficial bugs in your garden but it also makes a wonderful cut flower. Look for varieties like ‘Snow Princess’ and ‘Strawberry Blonde.’
Scabiosa
Better known as the pincushion flower, Scabiosa atropurpurea deserves a spot in any border thanks to its fluffy pom pom shaped heads that provide the perfect landing pad for bees and butterflies. Better yet, this plant may act more like a short-lived perennial, surviving 2-3 years if cut back after flowering. Look for varieties such as ‘Salmon Queen’ or ‘Oxford Blue’.
Phlox
This old-fashioned cottage favourite has star-shaped flowers that have a delicate fragrance. The plant starts off looking rather pathetic, but as the season goes on it continues to sprawl and spill all over the garden. Pinching and supporting is necessary if you want straight, long stems. Look for Phlox drummondii ‘Blushing Bride’, ‘Creme Brulee’ or ‘Cherry Caramel’.
Chocolate Lace
Daucus carota ‘Dara’, similar to Queen Anne’s Lace, is an ornamental carrot family which will give your garden border an instant autumnal feel. The flower heads have a reddish hue and if the seed head is left in place, then it will self-sow happily the following year. The key to germination is to cold stratify the seed first by placing the seed packet in the fridge for a couple of weeks before sowing.
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As summer fades, the garden shifts into its next chapter and we feel as though we’re at the end of the season. But, these fast-growing annuals will ensure your borders remain full of colour well into autumn.
With their quick germination, they bridge the gap between the late summer abundance and the first frosts, keeping your cutting garden productive with their ample bloom period.
Whether you are scattering seeds directly or picking up a few punnets from the garden centre, now (late summer) is the perfect time to sow. A little effort today means you will be rewarded with armfuls of fresh flowers to enjoy for weeks to come — proof that the season is not over just yet.
You don’t have to be a flower farmer to grow abundant blooms. Even if you’ve just got a small space for your cut flower patch, you can grow your own cutting garden and enjoy homemade floral arrangements on your kitchen table through many seasons of the year. Just giving it a go really is the best thing!
