Garden Bloomers For Bouquets
by Dr. Robert Black, Consumer Horticultural Specialist

Store a summer's worth of bouquets in this year's flower garden. Grandma always did, for economy's sake as well as for indoor decorations.

Flowers for informal bouquets as well as arrangements are not hard to grow, but special consideration must be given to appropriate varieties. For bouquets choose snapdragons with sturdy long stems. Make sure zinnia varieties have at least a twelve-inch height for cutting. To produce larger quantities of flowers, make sure the varieties are hybrids. Hybrid flowers are genetically programmed for earlier and more profuse bloom as well as disease and weather tolerance.

A survey of professional flower designers found the carefree, elegant gerbera daisy to be an excellent flower for floral arrangements. Also known as Transvaal daisy, gerberas are perennial flowers for the South.

Two attributes make gerberas perfect for any kind of bouquet, the combination of long stems and clear, bright, daisy-like blossoms. Gerberas (also known as Transvaal Daisies) are also naturally elegant flowers, with an inborn grace in any kind of setting.

Gerberas are even more popular now that new hybrid varieties are available as started plants purchased from the garden suppliers. The long, sturdy stems support a rainbow of blooms throughout the gardening season.

Gerberas do require some basic considerations from their growers. All gerberas need a full or 1/2 day of sun as well as well-drained soil. Start by purchasing transplants. At transplanting time make sure that the bottom leaves of the plant are not buried. This insures that the crown of the plant, the growth center for the stem, will not rot from excess soil moisture.

Hybrid gerberas are available from retail nurseries and garden supply stores. Add a carnival of color to your summer cutting garden and see for yourself.