The cutting garden was definitely a mixed success this year.
The sunflowers were great, but rather too big for my arrangements, the bachelor's buttons were pretty but very floppy, and most of the rest either didn't come up at all or smelled like poop (daisies, I'm looking at you!)
But let's remember some successes.
The volunteer cosmo patch up in the vegetable garden was gorgeous, and brightened up a few bouquets.
Bunny tail grass, or Lagarus ovatus, planted in my daughter's garden, was a favorite of us all.
Those little seedheads were every bit as soft and fuzzy as they look.
With their long arching stems, they added a bit of whimsy and touchability to several bouquets this summer.
Since I generally rototill the garden every year, this clump got dug up, divided, and replanted in 3 different spots out in the front flowerbeds. I hope it thrives up there!
Bless the zinnias.
They came through splendidly, wherever I planted them.
These were in the cutting garden proper, but the ones in the garden did great, as well.
Hardy, long-lasting in the vase, and bright cheerful colors.
That's a combination that's hard to beat!
Beautifully floppy bachelor's buttons.
If I replant these next year, they'll have to go in a spot that get a little more sun.
Maybe the vegetable garden.
[What? I do have actual vegetables in there, too, you know...mostly.]
Looking down toward the cutting garden.
The daisies have since been divided and planted between the lilacs and ninebark, all the way down the terrace.
As for next year's cutting garden, I may try starting some seeds inside in the spring, so that I have more young plants to put in. Also, not sure I'll do sunflowers again, though they were fun to look at. That is, unless I can find a variety with smaller blooms that I actually know what to do with in a vase.
It was a good experiment that I feel like I learned from.
(Like everything I do in gardening.)