Every year, the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers names a cut flower for the year. Growers and suppliers look at features like hardiness, yield, and marketability when they choose the next trending bloom for designers and florists. Many of these flowers are very easy to grow, even for beginning gardeners, so home gardeners can have access to the same exciting plant materials as professionals.

2014: Snapdragon- Chantilly Series

The open form of the 'Chantilly' series of snapdragons is sometimes referred to as the butterfly form, and the result is large and luscious flowers for your vase. Grow these three-foot plants in full sun in cool conditions, and harvest the four-inch flower stalks in shades of cream, orange, yellow, and white.More »

2013: Stock- Katz Cherry Blossom

Florists, brides, and everyone else have always loved scented stock as a cut flower for its delicate appearance and sweet fragrance. Now there's another reason to seek out this blossom: better heat tolerance has extended the growing season of this flower, making it more accessible to southern growers.More »

2012: Zinnia- Queen Red Lime

The maroon and lime petals of this breakthrough zinnia cultivar never look muddled, but instead, shift their colors in different lighting like a mirage. The flowers look luminous in a mixed wildflower bouquet, and are equally at home in a contemporary arrangement with burgundy calla lilies or tropical greenery.More »

2011: Lisianthus- Mariachi Carmine

Sakata Seed America developed the first near-red lisianthus, a departure from the pink, purple, white, and blue lisianthus flowers so popular in floral arrangements. The fully double blooms add volume to bouquets, as a filler or as a stand in for roses.More »

2010: Dahlia- Karma Naomi

There are dozens of red dahlia cultivars, so what makes this one stand out? Unlike some dahlias, this variety has very sturdy stems that keep the full blooms from flopping. Given rich, moist soil and full sun, you can enjoy many bouquets from July til frost.More »

2009: Zinnia- Uproar Rose

Cut flowers are affordable and accessible even to a first time gardener with a packet of zinnia seeds. The ‘Uproar Rose’ variety has magenta petals that pop against yellow or green flowers or foliage, and the plants will produce even more blooms in response to your harvest. Practice organic gardening techniques, and you’ll draw butterflies to the garden as well.

2008: Eryngium- Blue Glitter

This drought tolerant perennial would be very easy to incorporate into the landscape for fresh cut flowers each summer. Once planted, the plants form deep roots that resent being disturbed, so give it a permanent home in a sunny, well-drained spot. Should you cut more flowers than you need, the blossoms work well as dried flowers for crafts.More »

2007: Hydrangea- Limelight

‘Limelight’ hydrangeas are as popular with gardeners as they are with floral designers. The shrub grows quickly, it’s cold hardy to zone 3, and it offers different hues depending on the time of harvest. As the name implies, the new blooms have a hint of lime green. Over time, the flowers mature into white and rose tones.More »

2006: Echinacea- Ruby Star

The bronze central cone is half the beauty of this rosy red Echinacea variety. The petals are less droopy than some coneflowers, amplifying its presence in your arrangements. Leave remaining seed heads in the garden for winter interest and to aid foraging goldfinches.More »

2005: Winterberry- Winter Red

OK, it’s not technically a flower, but Ilex verticillata ‘Winter Red,’ the American winterberry, does produce small white flowers in June if you choose to grow this in the landscape. If you can get to the berries before the birds do, you’ll have a vivid addition to any holiday flower arrangements you create.More »