Top Cut Flowers for Each USDA Zone [Updated for 2025]

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Your USDA Hardiness zone, commonly known as your “growing zone,” is a valuable piece of the flower farming puzzle to help you determine which cut flowers perform best in your garden. One of the more challenging concepts for a newer flower farmer is which crops grow best in your growing climate and the nuances of microclimate effects. 

Today, we will examine the USDA Hardiness Zone to understand this puzzle piece better. We will also share our top cut flowers for each zone and how to grow them!

What are USDA Hardiness Zones?

Hardiness zones are sections divided by the average lows of the regions. In the US, the hardiness zones range from 1 to 13, from coldest to hottest, respectively. There are increments of 10℉ in between each zone.

The pretty colors on the hardiness map provide an easy visual breakdown of the zones. However, the best way to determine your hardiness zone is to visit the USDA Hardiness website and input your zip code. 

Related: Did Your Growing Zone Change? | New USDA Plant Hardiness Map Explained

How to Use USDA Hardiness Zones for Growing Cut Flowers?

Hardiness zones measure a region's extreme average winter lows. This information helps determine what plants can successfully overwinter in an area. According to the USDA, “[a]ll Plant Hardiness Zone Maps (PHZM) should serve as general guides for growing perennial plants.” 

When the plant tag at the nursery reads “ hardy to Zones 3-9,” it tells you that in growing Zones 3-9, the plant will grow successfully overwinter without much additional care. 

You can also apply this information to annual cut flowers for fall planting. For example, ranunculus is hardy down to Zones 8-10, which means that ranunculus thrives in these growing zones with relatively little fuss. However, ranunculus is popular with many growers in growing zones outside of their preferred ones. Growing techniques and season extension methods, such as frost cloth and shade cloth, can provide ranunculus with ideal growing conditions.
Related: Season Extension on a Flower Farm

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Hardiness Zones & Average Frost Dates

What you can winter over is only one puzzle piece; another piece of growing the best flowers for your climate is when to plant them. Growers use their USDA Hardiness Zone in conjunction with their average frost dates. The average last and first frost dates will help you determine when to plant your various flower cultivars, whether annuals, biennials, or perennials.

Importance of Choosing the Right Cut Flowers for Each Zone

There are many advanced growing techniques, and many flowers can grow in just about any climate, but cut flowers excel when grown in their ideal growing zone. Embracing your hardiness zone rather than fighting it will give you a beautiful cut flower garden with less effort. 

There are perennial plants that need a certain amount of chill time to grow and produce blooms properly, and there are perennial plants that can’t tolerate the cold and are better suited for warmer climates. Let’s break it down and discuss some of the best varieties for each growing zone. 

USDA Zone 2-3: Coldest Regions

Characteristics of Zones 2-3

Growing zones 2 and 3 aren’t for the faint of heart. These growing zones have extreme colds, averaging -50F to -30F. Growers in these areas often face frozen soil and short growing seasons, and many plants cannot handle the severe winter temperatures. 

Embracing hardy perennials can give the flower farmer a jump start in spring and give them time to plant other annuals once their soil thaws. 

Average highs in the peak summer months for growing Zones 2-3 will range from 50F - 70F, so growing cooler-loving varieties is beneficial, especially if you do not have a high tunnel or heated greenhouse. 

Top Cut Flower for Zone 2-3

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Peonies (Paeonia lactiflora)

Peonies are tough, handle freezing temperatures, and produce better when cold temperatures prevail. Most varieties of peonies bloom mid-to-late spring. 

Once the peony plants decide to wake up and begin growing in late winter into early spring, some protection, such as using frost cloth, may be needed for temperatures dipping down below 25℉. 

Peonies have become a favored crop for Alaskan flower farmers. It has been an incredible opportunity for wedding florists to offer American-grown peonies during summer when most other zones aren’t blooming. 

Peonies require an upfront investment in time and money. There are tried-and-true varieties that are great producers and more affordable than expensive new ones. Deciding which varieties to invest in will depend on your budget and customer base. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Peonies:

• Sarah Bernhardt: blush colored with the classic peony scent
• Red Charm: a deep burgundy bomb-type with huge buds
• Duchesse De Nemours: a classic double form that is  pure white

Peonies are best grown from bare roots that are fall planted. The first year, the plants will sleep; the second year, they will creep, and the third year, they will leap. It can take three to five years for peonies to be ready for harvest. Once they take off, they will produce a bounty.

Bonus: cut peonies can be dry-stored in the cooler and held for up to two months when harvested in the squishy marshmallow bud stage. 

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)

Daffodils are a great cut flower offering to get a jump on early spring sales. Don’t let the name “daffodils” fool you—we’re not talking about the traditional yellow cupped varieties seen in landscapes, though their duckling yellow is cheerful in spring!

There are many cultivars of  “fancy daffodils” to choose from. Creamy whites, peaches, bronzes, and varieties that smell pleasantly of soap create a versatile offering for customers. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Daffodils:

• Replete: a double daffodil with creamy petals and a swirling champagne-pink center
• Bridal Crown: a tazetta daffodil with a cluster of smaller, double, fragrant blooms atop each stem 
• Apricot Whirl: a butterfly daffodil with white petals and an opened center the color of peaches

Plant daffodils in the fall, where they can perennialize to decrease your efforts and increase your blooms. Daffodils are easily forced indoors in crates, as potted plants, or in bulb vases during the winter months. 

Related: How to Save Your Flowering Bulbs From the Holidays

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Achillea ptarmica)

Yarrow is a beautiful and versatile flower, fresh or dried. It typically blooms late spring into early summer and, when cut back after blooming, will have a second flush in late summer into frost. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Yarrow:

• Summer pastels: muted tones of buttercream, apricot, and raspberry 
• Favorite berries: a range of soft pinks and cantaloupe with ivory blooms 
• Double pearl: a unique variety of yarrow that resembles double feverfew with its small clusters of poofy white flowers 

Yarrow is best fall-planted but can also be planted spring to early summer. Allow the plant to perennialize and give it space to spread out and reseed, which it will liberally! 

Honorable Mentions: Stick Farming

Consider offering a niche item that is low maintenance but performs well in cold climates. Becoming a “stick farmer” is gaining momentum in the flower farming industry. 

Ornamental woodies, such as dogwood, curly willow, and salix, grow well in colder climates with minimal fuss. They can be sold fresh or dried and are trendy for winter offerings. Stick farming can significantly increase the length of your growing and selling season despite the frosts!

USDA Zone 4-5: Northern Midwestern States

Characteristics of Zones 4-5

Growing Zones 4-5 are still chilly but less extreme than the ones we just went over. On average, you are looking at temperatures of -30℉ to -10 ℉. In zones 4-5, you typically look at cooler summers, averaging in the upper 70s to 80s. The frost-free growing season may also be shorter than other warmer areas. 

Planting cold-hardy varieties in spring will allow you to start harvesting sooner and focus on some quicker heat-loving varieties in the summer.

Top Cut Flower for Zone 4-5

Tulips (Tulipa)

Tulips are an early spring favorite, with many colors and forms to choose from. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Tulips:

Tulips are also ideal for hydroponic growth in crates or bulb trays, which can be forced indoors with grow lights or in a heated greenhouse or high tunnel in winter.

Related: Growing Tulips for Cut Flower Production 

Delphinium (Delphinium elatum, ​​Delphinium x belladonna)

Delphiniums come into bloom late spring—early summer, and when cut back, they will have a second flush in late summer until frost. Delphiniums are grown as perennials, though they are considered “short-lived” and may need to be replaced every few years. They are a low-maintenance plant available in many different colors.

Current Favorite Cultivars of Delphiniums:

• Magic Fountains, Sky Blue White Bee, and Lilac White Bee, are beautiful colors with dense florets 
• Belladonna is considered one of the hardiest delphinium cultivars and produces more slender stems with wispier blossoms; it is available in a mix of colors.

Larkspur is in the same family and can be overwintered if you want a similar look but do not want to dedicate permanent space. To learn more, read our Larkspur Cultivation for Flower Farmers. 

Iris (Iris germanica, Iris sibirica)

Mid-spring can be difficult for flower farmers in colder areas, yet there is a lot of demand between potential weddings and Mother’s Day. 

Irises come into bloom in mid-spring. Some incredible bearded iris cultivars come in an array of novel colors that won’t look like they came from the landscape. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Irises:

• Honeycomb, for it’s glowing amber hue
• Peacekeeper, a delicate blush iris
• Cold As Ice, a periwinkle color that screams spring!

An exceptionally cold-hardy iris is the Siberian Iris that will bloom in spring, and you can get a second cut from them in fall as well. 

If you have space in the landscape or production rows, let them ramble and spread. This will give you many plants to cut from for years to come! 

In growing zones 4-5, you should plant irises during the summer months into well-draining soil. 

Honorable Mentions

Some other great varieties for growing Zones 4-5 are Shasta daisies, alliums, and foxglove. These varieties will provide beautiful late spring into early summer blooms with minimal pampering!

USDA Zone 6-7: Mid-Atlantic and Midwest

Characteristics of Zones 6-7

Growing Zones 6-7 are what I think of as the “Goldilocks” zones. They are cold enough that many of the cold-hardy varieties mentioned earlier do incredibly well, and many heat-loving varieties do well, too, since these zones tend to get longer growing seasons. 

The average lows for Zones 6-7 are typically -10F to 10F. In the summer, temperatures are mild, maintaining 80F-90F with occasional triple digits.

Since this is our growing zone, choosing our top contenders took a lot of work because we have had great success with many varieties. 

Top Cut Flower for Zone 6-7

Roses (Rosa floribunda, Rosa × hybrida tea)

After the peonies and ranunculus shut down for the season, there is a wonky window in late June or early July where we wait for our summer flowers to come into full swing. This is where roses come to save the day! 

Roses start blooming in late spring and bloom until fall frost when appropriately cut from or deadheaded. Once established, they require minimal care in fall and spring to get them to produce a bounty of blooms! 

Roses are planted as bare roots in winter through mid-spring or as potted plants in mid-spring through early summer. 

It takes about two years for plants to establish enough to harvest for cut flower production. 

Roses, either bare-root or potted, are also available as “own root” or “grafted.” Own root roses are more cold-hardy in that if an unexpected hard freeze damages the canes, fresh canes will be produced and will be the same rose again. Grafted roses may need more protection during cold periods, especially since the desired rose is grafted onto a rootstock that is considered hardy. Though many more of the coveted varieties of roses are available only through graftings, there are pros and cons to own-root versus grafted. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Roses:

• Queen of Sweden, ballet-slipper pink David Austin that grows long, straight stems
• Crown Princess Margareta, soft apricot with beautifully cupped petals
• Honey Dijon is the color of amber honey, a wonderful color for fall offerings!

In growing Zones 6-7, almost all the varieties of roses begin to open up as contenders for our growing zone. Hybrid tea roses and Floribunda have beautiful cultivars that make great cut flowers.

Rudbeckia, Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Rudbeckias are tough perennials and will bloom in the first year from seed. They bloom in summer and can get another flush from late summer into fall with proper care and cutting. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Rudbeckia Hirtas:

• Sahara is a beautiful, fluffy, dusty mauve to deep cherry
• Chim-Chiminee that has quilled petals that bloom in rusty gold
• Gloriosa Double Daisy is a golden yellow with dense petals

The hirta cultivars provide unique rudbeckia flowers that separate them from the more common cultivars in landscapes. Rudbeckia hirtas are easier to start from seed and will come into bloom 120 days after germination, making them one of the more simple and perennial flowers to grow.

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

Snapdragons are among the first flowers to bloom in spring and go beautifully with ranunculus and anemones. Snapdragons grow best in the spring and fall but can also be grown during the summer. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Snapdragons:

• Rocket Series is a traditional form of snapdragon that grows wonderfully all season long!
• Chantilly is a novelty form snapdragon that looks cupped and is the first cultivar to come into bloom.
• Madame Butterfly is a stunning azalea cultivar that smells faintly of bubblegum and looks like stock. It blooms late spring through frost.

Each cultivar of snapdragon blooms under different daylight hours, so growing the different ones will allow for continuous blooms. Spring snapdragons will rebloom again in late summer into early fall when plants are cut back hard after blooming.

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Honorable Mentions

Lavender and poppies are other varieties that do well in growing zones 6-7. To learn which cultivars of poppies and how to grow them, read our blog, Poppy Cultivation for Flower Farmers.

USDA Zone 8-9: South and Coastal Areas

Characteristics of Zones 8-9

Growing Zones 8-9 have mild winters and a long growing season with average lows of 10F to 25F, which allows overwintering more frost-sensitive crops and even harvesting flowers during winter!  

These zones have warm springs that quickly turn into hot summers, which average 80F-100F. It is best to plant the cool-loving varieties to harvest before the heat settles in and transition the field in early spring to get the heat-loving varieties growing. 

Top Cut Flowers for Zone 8-9

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus)

Ranunculus is a popular flower, especially for weddings. It is also known as a “spring rose” since it has a similar form and a delicate hint of rose-like scent. It is an incredibly versatile and rugged flower, with cultivars that can compete with peonies in bloom size. 

Ranunculus commonly comes into bloom in mid to late spring in colder zones, but in growing Zones 8-9, it will perform best in winter, usually February through March. This makes it an excellent crop for Valentine’s Day sales! 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Ranunculus:

• Butterfly Ranunculus, each stem has multiple fluttering flowers
• Hanoi Ranunculus, a Cloni ranunculus that is the softest blush 
• Elegance Salmone Ranunculus, is a great color any time of the year

Ranunculus begin to shut down and go dormant with consistent temperatures above 80F. Shade cloth is excellent for extending their season if unexpected heat comes. 

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Zinnias (Zinnia elegans, Zinnia haageana)

Zinnias have made a big comeback in recent years in terms of popularity for cut flowers; with novelty forms and colors becoming more available, they are more elevated for design work. An easy to care for a flower that produces a massive amount of stems from summer into fall. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Zinnias:

• Benary Giants, aka “dahlia” zinnias, have large flowers and are available in various colors; Wine and Salmon Rose are especially swoon-worthy!
• Oklahoma, Ivory, and Pink are incredible for design work!
• Persian Carpet, branching zinnias with small flower heads that are gorgeous for fall offerings, plant close for optimal stem length!

Zinnias are incredibly easy to grow from seed, either started ahead in trays or directly sown. With a long growing season, multiple successive plantings of zinnias about three weeks apart are recommended.

Zinnias do not store or ship well, making them a standout offering for a local flower farmer.

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Dahlias (Dahlia hybrids)

Dahlias are currently the queen of the cut flower world. From summer until fall, they produce many stems. Dahlias can be grown from tubers, cuttings, or seeds. 

Many forms of dahlias are available, with a huge range of colors to choose from. Dinner plate dahlias are huge flowers that are highly desired for wedding work. Ball dahlias make excellent cut flowers. Pompons are smaller dahlias used in boutonnieres and bud vases. There are many other forms, such as formal decorative, informal decorative, lilies, and collarettes. Some forms perform better than others as cut flowers. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Dahlias:

• Cornel Bronze, a bronze-salmon colored ball type that is a heavy producer in both stems and tubers
• Ivanetti is a deep plum ball dahlia 
• Jowey Nicky is a peachy ball that pairs nicely with deep fall colors or lighter colors alike

Dahlias can perennialize in climates where the ground doesn’t freeze, but they can also be lifted to divide the clump of tubers, which can then be used to multiply your stock or for tuber sales. Be prepared for the dahlias to steal the show; they are highly sought after!

Honorable Mentions

Celosia is a heat-loving, versatile cut flower that blooms in summer and fall. It is also an excellent dried flower and even edible. 

USDA Zone 10-11: Warmest Regions

Characteristics of Zones 10-11

Growing Zones 10-11 are areas where the winter does not freeze, with lows of 30F to 40F. These growing zones are hot and tropical, but with their frost-free climate and long growing season, you could find yourself flower farming almost year-round! 

Being more sub-tropical and tropical climates in these zones, heat-loving varieties that grow fast will be ideal candidates to grow multiple rounds and remove diseases when they arise. 

Top Cut Flowers for Zone 10-11

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Marigolds (Tagetes erecta, Tagetes patula, Tagetes tenuifolia)

Marigolds make for long-lasting cut flowers that bloom from summer through fall. 

There are different varieties of marigolds, such as the large-flowered African marigolds and the popular French marigolds, which produce smaller flowers and stems.

Current Favorite Cultivars of Marigolds:

• Gem series, tiny flowers on delicate stems with feathered leaves, make a great filler flower
• Coco series, tall and sturdy stems with large flower heads

Marigolds grow from seed easily, which can be started in trays or directly sown. The more you cut from them, the more stems they will produce for you! To learn more about marigolds, read our blog, Marigold Cultivation for Flower Farmers.

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Cosmos (cosmo bipinnatus, cosmos atrosanguineus)

Cosmos are prolific cut flowers that do best when purchased directly from a local grower. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Cosmos:

• Fizzy White, classic white with frilly petals towards the center
• Double Click, a fluffy variety that is reminiscent of small asters
• Afternoon White, a prolific single-petal white variety

Cosmos grow easily from seed and can be started in trays or directly sown. Cosmos bloom best as the days grow shorter, making them a good offering for mid-late summer and fall. To learn more about the cosmos, read our blog, Cosmos Cultivation for Flower Farmers.

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers are a customer-favorite flower variety that can be grown nearly year-round in zones 10-11, thanks to the many new hybrids, such as Vincent’s series, that are not daylight hour sensitive. Typically, sunflowers bloom from summer through fall, but they do well for spring production in a warm growing climate.

Sunflowers are best directly sown, and planting them with a walk-behind seeder is less intensive and saves time. However, if birds are a problem, you can start indoors. 

There are “branching” cultivars of sunflowers and “single” sunflowers. When growing sunflowers as cut flowers, it is important to invest in pollen-less hybrids, which have a longer vase life and do not shed pollen. This provides a higher-quality product and experience for the end customer. 

Branching sunflowers take a couple more weeks to mature since the grower pinches back the plant to ensure the production of long, usable stems, averaging 60-65 days. Branching sunflowers grow many stems, making the flowers smaller. The sunflowers produce new stems to cut from for about three weeks. For continuous production, succession sow branching sunflowers every few weeks. 

Current Favorite Cultivars of Branching Sunflowers:

• Starburst Panache, a double sunflower with the classic golden and dark brown colors
• Florenza is a bi-color golden with burgundy with a delicate chocolate scent!
• Orange Ruffles, classic sunflower colors with unusual form
• Red Wave, deep red with a dark center

From seeding to harvesting, single-stem sunflowers are one of the quickest crops for a flower farmer, taking under sixty days for the sunflower to mature. Weekly succession planting of sunflowers is recommended for continuous harvest. Check out How to Grow Sunflowers for Cut Flowers.

Current Favorite Cultivars of Single-Stem Sunflowers:

• ProCut White Nite and White Lite, creamy colors great for weddings
• Vincent’s Choice and Vincent’s Fresh, classic forms and color 
• Stella Gold, a golden quill-petaled cultivar

Honorable Mentions

Gladiolus are tall and linear, with smaller hibiscus-like flowers blooming up the stem. They are grown from a bulb called a “corm.” These cut flowers are great sold on their own or to be used for larger statement floral designs. 

Credit: Sierra Flower Farm

Tips for a Thriving Cutting Garden

Soil Preparation

Growing quality cut flowers starts with healthy soil. Before planting your flower field, it is best to have a soil test done and add the appropriate types and amounts of amendments, such as compost and slow-release fertilizers. Unprepared soil can result in underperforming crops. 

Watering Practices

Many times, crop failure results from underwatering. Automated drip irrigation provides deeper and more consistent watering to the plants while conserving water. Cut flowers are susceptible to many diseases and blemishes that overhead watering may cause. 

Mulching

Mulching with natural mulch or landscape fabric will help suppress weeds and maintain moisture levels and soil temperatures. In conjunction with drip irrigation, proper mulching conserves water. 

Using Shade Cloth and Frost Cloth

Shade and frost cloth are invaluable tools for flower farmers to have in their arsenal. Frost and shade cloth are commonly used for season extension and to help transplants acclimate into the field. High tunnels, caterpillar tunnels, and low tunnels are all various ways that allow growers to use the appropriate cloths without directly touching the crops.

In colder climates, using frost cloth can help extend your growing season by upwards of a month in spring and fall. There are various weights of frost cloth to choose from; the heavier the weight, the more frost protection it provides, but beware, less sunlight also transfers through with thicker frost cloths. 

Shade cloth can be a huge help to growers in warmer climates. Even heat-loving crops can use some relief during the hottest times of the season. There are different percentages of shade cloth, depending on how much light it allows in. In hotter climates, the aluminum white shade cloth has the extra benefit of reflecting the sunlight from the crops to help keep them cooler. 

FAQs

What are the best flowers for cutting garden by zone?

• Zone 2-3
• Peonies
• Daffodils
• Yarrow
• Woody perennials
• Zone 4-5
• Tulips
• Delphinium
• Irises
• Shasta Daisies
• Alliums
• Foxglove
• Zone 6-7
• Roses
• Black eye Susans
• Snapdragons
• Poppies
• Lavender
• Zone 8-9
• Ranunculus
• Zinnias
• Dahlias
• Celosia
• Sweet Peas
• Zone 10-11
• Cosmos
• Marigolds
• Sunflowers
• Gladioli

How do I prepare my soil for a cutting garden?

First, you will want to get a soil test and pay extra for the recommendations. Most soils lack organic matter; you will most likely need to add quality compost. Based on your soil conditions, climate, and ethos, you must also decide whether to till the soil, approach the soil with no-till, or use raised growing beds. Soil can be clay, sand, loam, or a mixture. Ideally, you want to work your soil into becoming more balanced, loamy, and well-draining. 

Which flowers can thrive in both sun and shade?

Many flowers thrive with partial shade. Here are some examples: 

• Foxglove 
• Snapdragons 
• Bells of Ireland 
• Roses 
• Delphinium 
• Calendula

What are the best practices for watering a cutting garden?

Even cut flower varieties that are considered drought-tolerant thrive with consistent watering. Using drip irrigation allows for a slow, steady amount of water to penetrate the soil down to the plant’s roots, which also encourages the roots to grow further down, which results in a more robust root system and plant. The water your flower crops need will depend on soil conditions and climate. For example, clay soil conditions will hold onto the water longer but are harder to hydrate once dried. Sandy soil will need more water and fertilizing since they tend to run through the soil quickly. 

How can shade cloth protect my cut flowers?

Shade cloth is beneficial in keeping cut flowers in more tolerable conditions during peak heat. If unexpected temperatures arise, shade cloth can also be used to extend the season of spring crops such as ranunculus and anemones. Even heat-loving varieties of flowers, such as dahlias, can use shade cloth during peak summer. 

Written by: Jessica Chase, Sierra Flower Farm