Sourcing Cut Flowers Seeds
What are cut flower seeds? They are the seeds of flowers and foliage that are grown specifically for cutting from the plant and bringing into the home, using in floral arrangements or making into bouquets. They are usually grown on farms and sold to wholesalers, to flower shops or directly to customers. They typically have tall stems, showy flowers or leaves and are meant to fair well in a vase. More commonly grown in yards and gardens throughout Europe, their popularity with home gardeners has been on a steady incline here in Canada.
If you are looking to grow flowers you see farmers growing, florists and designers swooning over, you may need to look beyond your local garden center. Typically offering a selection of seeds that are common grocery store varieties, many garden centers do not carry the more unique, designer varieties of cut flower seeds. Below you will find some fantastic seed companies, both big and small, that provide those high quality cut flower seeds you have been looking for. Don’t be afraid to give them a go, many cut flower varieties are no harder to start than your typical vegetable or flower seed.
Cosmo, Apricotta in the Local Flora cutting garden.
Let’s start with a few small businesses, because I am all about local, and after you see what these shops offer, you will be too!
Pacific Floral is a Vancouver Island based flower farm and design studio that offers nearly 150 different species of flowers and foliage seeds that have been grown organically on their farm. The photography alone is worth visiting the site for your next seasons garden inspiration! They also offer $7.50 Canada wide shipping which is a bonus. Their seed shop is now open for the season so get shopping before they sell out of your favorite variety.
Photo of cosmos seed mix by Pacific Floral Farm
An incredible designer and flower farmer, Antonio has created an incredible floral business that speaks to industry inclusivity and elevated design. His seed shop is packed with irresistible varieties you will spend hours gushing over. Good luck sticking to your seed budget here. They have also added their first batch of unique flower species breed right on the farm, meaning they are the first of their kind and only available through their website. Their seed shop opened in January and still has many amazing varieties for sale.
One of the stunning varieties of poppies available at Antonio Valente Flowers
West Coast Seeds is a BC staple for seeds and gardening supplies. They have hundreds of species commonly found on the shelves at your local garden center and it is for good reason. They are based in Delta, BC and have an expensive seed production operation producing reliable vegetable and flower seeds. They are a good place to start if you are new to growing, aren’t too fussy about color and are eager to shop in person. They have been expanding their cut flower offerings over the years as they have grown in popularity and I am sure they will continue to do so. They also have seeds available year round with new additions coming out around December/January each year.
West Coast Seeds website offers vegetable and flower seeds and tons gardening supplies
Chiltern Seeds is a specialty seed company in the UK that sells some of the most unique flower and vegetable varieties I have seen. They built their business around providing unusual seeds back in the 70’s and continue to provide top quality seeds you won’t find anywhere else. Lucky for us they ship to Canada! Be aware of the challenge of growing some of the more rare and unusual varieties that may not be so easy to grow in our climate. You will also find uncommon varieties of cut flower favorites like cosmos, zinnias, snapdragons, filler flowers and foliage that are reliable and incredibly beautiful. They offer seeds year round with an end of season sale followed by the arrival of new varieties and species in the winter months.
They categorize their flower seeds so it is easy to tell which species will be suitable for your intended purpose.
Johnny’s Selected Seeds is a large company from the United States that provides farms all around the continent with large quantities of incredible vegetable and flower varieties. Since farmers are their primary clientele, you can find a wonderful selection of flowers that have been trialed specific for cutting along with tons of information on growing each species. They have great variety for the top cutting garden favorites in desirable colors for designers. Unfortunately we can’t get their spring bulbs or a small selection of their seeds shipped to Canada, but most items are available for shipping. Keep in mind duties and expensive shipping rates when ordering from US companies that can often be off putting for small orders of just a few seed packets. Even if you shop elsewhere, they are worth knowing about for all the detailed growing information available on their website. I use their resource page a ton for problem solving and planning my seed sowing calendar for the year.
Johnny’s is a great source for inspiration, tips and information along with their incredible selection of seeds for sale.