What is a cut and come again flower?

A cut and come again flower is a type of flower that regrows after being cut, allowing gardeners to enjoy multiple harvests from the same plant over an extended period of time. These prolific bloomers make excellent choices for garden beds, containers, and bouquets as they provide continuous color and texture in the landscape or vase throughout the growing season.

What types of flowers are considered cut and come again?

Many popular annuals, perennials, and herbs fall under the cut and come again category. Some of the most common include:

• Pansies
• Violas
• Calendulas
• Gerbera daisies
• Cosmos
• Marigolds
• Zinnias
• Dahlias
• Roses
• Lavender
• Chrysanthemums
• Sunflowers
• Coreopsis
• Gaillardia
• Salvia
• Scabiosa
• Anemones
• Verbena
• Snapdragon
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Mint
• Basil

This list includes short-lived annuals like pansies and marigolds along with hardy perennials such as lavender and chrysanthemums. Herbaceous plants like mints, oregano, and thyme also possess excellent cut and come again traits.

How does the cut and come again process work?

Cut and come again plants are able to regrow after cutting because they produce multiple crowns or shoots from the base of the plant. Removing spent blooms by deadheading or cutting whole stems back to a leaf node stimulates the plant to generate new growth from its active crown tissue.

As long as the plant continues receiving adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients, it will repeatedly rebuild foliage and flowers. Gardeners can harvest individual stems or cut whole plants back to prolong the blooming and harvesting period, often for months at a time.

What are the key care tips for cut and come again plants?

To maximize flower production and regrowth, cut and come again plants require:

• Full sun – Most produce the best flowers and foliage in a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight.
• Fertile, well-draining soil – Amend planting beds with compost or organic fertilizer.
• Regular water – Don’t allow soil to dry out completely between waterings.
• Deadheading – Remove spent blooms to encourage new flowers.
• Frequent cutting – Harvesting encourages more growth.
• Occasional fertilization – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
• Watch for pests/disease – Inspect regularly and take control measures as needed.

When is the best time to cut flowers for indoor arrangements?

For cut flowers, it’s best to harvest stems in the morning or late afternoon when they are fully turgid. Avoid cutting during the heat of midday when plants are stressed. Select stems with fully open flowers or buds that are just about to open.

Immediately place cut stems in clean water and strip off any foliage that would fall below the waterline in the vase. Keep arranged flowers in a cool location and change the water daily for maximum vase life.

How often should cut and come again plants be cut back?

This depends on the growth rate of the particular plant. Quick growing annuals like zinnias can be cut back every 7-10 days during peak growth. Slower perennials may only need a hard cutting every 4-6 weeks. Herbs often regrow fast enough for weekly cuttings.

The best timing is right after a flush of flowers starts to fade. Deadhead or cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 to force new growth. Stop cutting about 1 month prior to your average first frost so plants can prepare for winter.

What is the optimal cutting height?

In general, cut back to just above a leaf node where new stems can emerge. This may range from 2-6 inches above soil level depending on the plant. Cutting too short can damage crown tissue and inhibit regrowth.

Leaving some foliage helps plants recover through photosynthesis. err on the side of leaving more greenery if unsure how short to cut.

How to use cut and come again plants in containers

Container gardening is an ideal way to maximize cut flowers from small spaces. Dwarf varieties of zinnias, cosmos, petunias, verbena, and salvias all thrive in pots and window boxes. For continuous color, plant successions every 2-3 weeks or scatter quick-growing annuals like cleome throughout the container.

Place containers in full sun and use a quality potting mix. Fertilize weekly with a water soluble fertilizer to support heavy flowering. Shear off spent blooms to encourage re-bloom until fall.

Tips for cut and come again container plants

• Use self-cleaning varieties like petunias and verbena that don’t need deadheading.
• Combine flowers and herbs like parsley, basil and mint.
• Interplant annuals and perennials for varied bloom times.
• Match plant height – keep tall in back, short in front.
• Refresh tired containers by top dressing with new soil/compost.

Benefits of growing cut and come again flowers

There are many advantages to incorporating cut and come again plants into your garden, containers, and bouquets:

• Continuous color and texture – Flowers and foliage from spring to fall frost
• Repeated harvesting – Pick flowers/herbs as needed, plants regrow
• Long flowering window – 4-6 weeks or more between hard cuttings
• Deadhead not needed – Many self-cleaning varieties
• Attract pollinators – Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
• Habitats for beneficial insects – Ladybugs, lacewings, etc.
• Versatile – Use for borders, containers, tabletop
• Low maintenance – Drought and heat tolerant
• Great for beginners – Easy to grow and care for

Challenges and solutions for cut and come again plants

While generally low maintenance, cut and come again plants can encounter a few potential issues:

Challenge	Solution
Slowed regrowth	Apply soluble fertilizer and ensure adequate watering. Cut back to stimulate.
Leaves yellowing	This indicates nitrogen deficiency. Fertilize more frequently.
Flowers small	Can indicate insufficient sunlight or overcrowding. Move plant or thin surrounding vegetation.
Few or no flowers	Deadhead and cut back to force new blooms. Check for pests or disease.
Plant decline	At end of season let plant go to seed. Replace with new plants next year.

Address any challenges right away to maintain productivity. Avoid cutting unhealthy plants so they can recover.

How to harvest cut and come again flowers for bouquets

Follow these steps for collecting cut and come again flowers for indoor arrangements:

1. Time morning harvests after dew dries but before heat builds. For afternoon, wait until temperatures cool.
2. Select flowers that are fully open or buds that will open within day or two.
3. Use clean, sharp pruners or scissors/snips to cut stems.
4. Make cuts on an angle to maximize water uptake.
5. Immediately place stems in clean water, strip foliage that will be underwater.
6. Recut stems by 1-2 inches and place in vase with proper floral preservative.
7. Display arrangement out of direct sunlight and change water every 2 days.

Stagger your harvest over the week, collecting different flowers at optimal maturity. Combining varieties creates vibrant, fragrant arrangements to enjoy indoors.

Creative uses for cut and come again flowers

Beyond traditional vases and centerpieces, cut and come again flowers can be used creatively in many ways:

• Garlands, wreaths, and swags for walls, doors, mantels, etc.
• Topiaries or small bouquets in unusual containers like teacups, pitchers, or silverware
• Tucked into books or displayed in glass cloches as decoration
• Hair wreaths and corsages
• Potpourris by drying fragrant flowers and herbs
• Floating candles or flowers in bowls and glasses
• Pressed flowers framed or used in greeting cards, bookmarks
• Edible flowers used to garnish food and drinks
• Dried herb bouquets

Let your creativity run wild when putting your homegrown cut flowers to decorative use! Change up displays by season for endless inspiration.

Combining cut and come again varieties for stunning arrangements

For show stopping bouquets, combine different cut and come again flowers using these design tips:

• Vary heights – Use tall backbones like snapdragons, medium filler like zinnias, short accents like violas
• Include different textures – Pair smooth and fuzzy, feathery and succulent
• Mix flower shapes – Spiky gladiolus, round marigolds, delicate cosmos
• Use color harmonies – Coordinate colors or create bold contrasts
• Include greens and herbs – Foliage and herbs like basil provide fresh texture
• Use all stages – Tight buds, fully open blooms, and fading flowers

Avoid overcrowding to allow each flower to stand out. Recut stems and refresh water every couple days so arrangements last over a week.

Conclusion

Cut and come again flowers provide the gift of continuous color and harvesting. These resilient plants reward gardeners with an ongoing supply of vibrant blooms for mixed borders, container designs, and pretty floral displays. With proper placement and care, cut and come again annuals, perennials and herbs will blossom repeatedly from spring through fall.