How to Grow Cut Flowers in the Desert

Q. I have a 17 ft. x 2-1/2 ft. raised bed on the south side of my home I would like to turn into an all-season cutting garden.  I will probably use a portion for growing herbs for cooking. I plan to plant flowering bulbs for Spring flowers.  I would like to have other perennials planted above the bulbs to fill in as the seasons progress.  I am open to planting annuals if they can be used for cut flowers for bouquets. What flowering plants would you recommend? 

A. Whoa! You must be a very good desert gardener to pull this off! If you are thinking of the pictures in Sunset Magazine and its easy, it’s not. Lots of soil modification, correct planting time of year, differences in exposure to sunlight, wind, shade, plant selection will all be important.

            I strongly recommend joining one of the garden clubs in town such as the Chrysanthemum Society or Iris Society and start absorbing information and ask questions. Google the Nevada Garden Clubs, Inc. website and send in a request. A mentor of mine when I first arrived in the desert was a former president of these clubs and she was a great gardener.

            Lots of plants can be grown for cut flowers in the Mojave Desert. They favor different exposures to sun, shade, wind, and planting times. Whenever considering cut flowers it requires wind protection, or they will look ratty. Some are bulbs. Some are started from seed and rhizomes. The most successful growers of flowers I know, plant in different locations in the landscape to take advantage of different “microclimates”.

             So, if you have not yet developed your desert “green thumb” then start with a small area and experiment before thinking big.  Some spring bulbs to consider include dahlia, canna, gladiolus, and amaryllis. Fall bulbs might include crocus, narcissus, hyacinth, ranunculus, and even tulips if you prechill them in the fridge first or buy pre-chilled bulbs. Consider iris and all types of mums. There are garden clubs in southern Nevada that focus on these plants.

Contact Las Vegas Mum Society

Contact Las Vegas Iris Society

            Many other perennials grow here as well, too many to list, but require different exposures to sun, time of year and wind to perform best as well as soil enhancement and irrigation. Two of the toughest to grow are begonias and calla lilies. 

Many thanks to a mentor of mine, Hobby St. Denis, a terrific desert gardener and former President of the Associated ! Much of this information is contained in the book she wrote for the Nevada Garden Clubs, Inc. and no longer in print.

And also a publication from the University of Arizona.