Create your own picking garden

Whether you’re making bouquets for friends or just brightening up your home, bring the joy of flowers indoors by creating your own picking garden this summer. There's a wide range of blooms to choose from over the warmer months - the hardest part is picking what to plant!

Fill up a sunny spot in the backyard with colour you can use for floral arrangements, or if you’re short of space set aside a few spots in the vege patch. You’ll get gorgeous blooms to pick, and the flowers will help attract more pollinators to your help your crops grow.

CUT FLOWER FAVES

Choose long stemmed varieties with a long vase-life. Over summer some good options include:
Alstroemeria – a long-lasting bloom with sturdy stems that come in a range of colours. They are a hardy perennial that come back and flower each year.
Cosmos – pops of colour from snow whites to lolly pinks, reds, orange and yellows.
Dahlias – available in a huge variety of interesting petal shapes and colours. Pick your favourites and plant once frosts have finished. 
Feverfew – delicate, daisy like flowers that are great fillers. Feverfew is a perennial but also treated as an annual in cold climates.
Hydrangeas – these last well once picked, dry well, and have attractive foliage. Plant in spring or autumn.
Snapdragons - tall, sturdy, elegant stems that are easy to grow and last well in a vase. Plant after frosts have passed in spring.
Stock – a tall flower that comes in a variety of colours.
Sunflowers – make a dramatic statement on their own in a vase. Sow in spring when there is no risk of frost. 
Sweet peas – frequent picking will encourage more blooms – a win-win! Plant in autumn through winter for early spring flowering.
Wildflowers - sow wildflower seeds in spring and pick a bouquet showcasing a rainbow of colours.
Zinnias - durable and vibrant annuals, they produce abundantly all summer long.

Edibles that have gone to seed make whimsical bouquets too! Coriander, parsley and rocket all have attractive flowers.

TOP FLOWER TIPS

Location, location, location!
Choose the right plant for the right place. If you have a shady garden, choose shade-lovers like alstromeria and hydrangeas. For bright sunny spots choose cosmos, dahlias or zinnias.

Dig in
Prepare the soil prior to planting by adding in Tui Rose & Shrub Mix and NovaTec fertiliser. These goodies serve as the backbone for a blooming garden.

Water!
Water is the lifeline for flowers, keep the soil moist rather than wet by watering deeply once or twice a week rather than a little daily. Try to water early in the day, as overnight dampness can encourage disease and mildew problems.

PICKING AND ARRANGING

1. Select flowers with firm stems, vibrant petals, and healthy leaves.
2. Use sharp scissors or secateurs for cutting and trim stems to a 45° angle, removing any leaves that will be below the waterline.
3. Avoid having all flowers the same height - different heights will create visual interest.
4. Start by selecting a focal flower, then fill gaps with smaller filler flowers and greenery for texture and fullness. Step back often to view the arrangement from different angles and ensure it looks balanced.
5. Keep the flowers in a cool location away from direct sunlight and drafts and replace vase water every few days.