17 Best Shrubs for the Cut Flower Garden

The first year I worked on a flower farm, I expected to grow annuals like zinnias and celosia and vegetative perennials like echinacea and yarrow. But I didn’t think about shrubs as cut flowers! However, after a few months of working in the flower world, I realized that woodies were an essential segment of the cutting garden.

Although shrubs cost more than annuals and take longer to mature, they provide a reliable source of beautiful blooms. Plus, you only have to plant them once. As the plants grow, they offer handfuls of long, flower-covered stems perfect for arrangements.

Of course, not all shrubs are great for bouquets. Some of these shrubs rarely flower, and others produce blooms that last only a day after you cut them. If you want to add a flowering hedge or a patch of blooming shrubs, start with the plants on this list.

Hydrangea

	common name Hydrangea
	botanical name Hydrangea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade; varies by species
	height 3-12 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9; varies by species

The Hydrangea genus includes close to 75 species of flowering shrubs, but gardeners typically focus on less than ten. These plants grow as medium-to-large shrubs and produce large flower clusters made up of numerous small florets. Some of these blooms look like billowing clouds or large pyramids, and others resemble flat pieces of delicate lace.

Since hydrangeas vary in their preferred environment, mature size, and flower color, you can find a plant that works well in almost any location and growing zone. A few hydrangeas are native to the United States, so you can include these flowering shrubs in your native garden or wildlife habitat.

Bloom time varies by species, but all hydrangeas flower sometime between the late spring and early fall. Many of these plants flower for multiple months, so you can expect to enjoy a long supply of impressive blooms. Just make sure to note whether your hydrangea variety blooms on old or new wood, and prune accordingly.

Varieties Great for Cutting

The top species for cutting include panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata), smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), and bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla). Here are some of the top varieties within these species.

• ‘Ruby Slippers’: This compact oakleaf hydrangea produces pointed flower clusters ranging from light pink to deep magenta. The plant’s green, oak-shaped leaves turn a beautiful red in the fall.
• ‘Limelight’: Many gardeners love this large, easy-to-grow panicle hydrangea due to its large flower clusters. The flowers start light green before changing to white and then red.
• ‘Blue Cassel’: This bigleaf hydrangea has beautiful blue flowers arranged in a lacecap shape. The plants only grow to about four feet tall, so they’re great for small spaces.

Beautyberry

	common name Beautyberry
	botanical name Callicarpa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-8 feet
	hardiness zones 5-11; varies by species

The Callicarpa genus, more commonly known as beautyberry, is known for its long-lasting berries. Although these plants produce small blooms, most florists love them for the small fruits that appear in clusters along the stems. The berries mature by early fall, making them perfect for adding interest to fall and winter arrangements.

Numerous beautyberry species exist, but American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is one of the best choices for growers in the United States. This plant is native to much of the Southeastern US and thrives there. Birds like robins and finches enjoy eating the berries in the winter.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Since American beautyberry is native to the US, I recommend growing cultivars of this species. However, you can also find species native to Asia and unique hybrids.

• ‘Alba’: While most American beautyberry plants have bright purple berries, ‘Alba’ produces white fruits.
• ‘Pearl Glam’: This hybrid variety grows best in full sun. It produces dark purple foliage and bright purple berries.

Bluebeard

	common name Bluebeard
	botanical name Caryopteris spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

The Caryopteris genus is a group of small shrubs native to temperate parts of Asia. The plants produce many long, slender stems from a central base. Each stem is covered with oppositely arranged leaves and clusters of small, tubular blooms with long stamens.

The flowers bloom for a few weeks in the late summer to early fall, attracting numerous pollinators. The Caryopteris row where I work becomes audibly abuzz with bees during bloom!

The plants grow best in full sun and well-draining soil. Since they remain relatively compact, they can grow well in front of larger shrubs or with vegetative perennials.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Although most Bluebeard plants produce purple-blue blossoms, you can also find varieties with white and pink blooms. Some of these varieties are straight species, but many are hybrids of Caryopteris incana and Caryopteris mongholica.

• ‘Dark Knight’: This variety bursts into bloom in late summer with purple-blue flowers. They stick around for about a month. 
• ‘Beyond Pink’: While most Bluebeard plants produce blue blooms, ‘Beyond Pink’ sports light pink blooms.
• ‘Arthur Simmons’: Light purple blooms appear from late summer to early fall.

Rose

	common name Rose
	botanical name Rosa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-15 feet; varies by variety
	hardiness zones 4-11; varies by variety

Is there any flower more iconic than the rose? Whether you like the looks of a classic red hybrid tea rose, a light pink native rose, or an elegant old garden rose, you can find one of these shrubs that suits your cut flower taste. You can also find various rose plant growth habits, from miniature roses that fit in containers to large bushes that form impressive hedges.

Most roses grow best in full sun and well-draining soil, but a few can handle partial shade. No matter which variety you select, look out for diseases and pests that plague these susceptible plants.

When it’s time to add a rose bush to your garden, be aware you have several options. You can purchase an actively growing plant potted in soil or opt for a dormant, bare-root plant. Both options can work well, but bare-root plants are often less expensive.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Choosing a rose for your garden can be an overwhelming task! Although there are thousands of rose varieties to choose from, these are some of my favorites.

• Iceberg: Known as Rosa ‘KORbin’, this variety was created by esteemed breeder Reimer Kordes in 1958. It’s a rambling rose that benefits from support, but it can grow as a wild shrub when left untamed. The plants produce white, medium-sized, double-petaled roses.
• ‘Desdemona’: This variety is part of the famous David Austin series of roses. Its roses display incurved petals that appear in subtle and romantic shades of blush. The blooms have a wonderful fragrance with hints of almond and citrus.
• ‘Lyla’: This thornless variety produces clusters of single-petal roses throughout the growing season, even when grown in light shade. The simple petals have white interiors and light pink edges.

Ninebark

	common name Ninebark
	botanical name Physocarpus opulifolius
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-8 feet
	hardiness zones 2-8

Ninebark is one of my favorite shrubs. It’s native to much of the eastern half of the United States, produces beautiful blooms and foliage, and has unique bark that provides year-round interest. Therefore, it’s no surprise that I recommend it for your cutting garden.

These shrubs bloom in late spring and early summer and display tiny white or pink flower clusters. The flowers give way to groups of unique seed pods that add intrigue to arrangements. Even after wildlife eats these pods, the plant provides beautiful filler foliage.

Varieties Great for Cutting

While you can find ninebark species native to Asia, all of these varieties are versions of the native Physocarpus opulifolius.

• Diablo®: Known as Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo,’ this variety produces deep purple foliage throughout the growing season. New foliage emerges more of a red color, creating a unique look.
• ‘Center Glow’: With foliage that ranges in color from bright green to orange to burgundy, this variety is perfect if you love color. The plants also produce clusters of white blossoms.
• ‘Dart’s Gold’: This variety produces bright yellow-green leaves in the spring. As the season progresses, the foliage changes to lime green, then rich gold.

Lilac

	common name Lilac
	botanical name Syringa spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-20 feet
	hardiness zones 3-7

Although lilacs bloom for just a few weeks each spring, their beauty and fragrance make them worth growing. Not all lilacs have fragrance, but many produce blooms that fill the air with a sweet and floral scent. Plus, you can combine varieties with different bloom times to enjoy them for over a month.

Many lilacs produce purple blooms, but you can also find varieties in white and pink. You can also find some cultivars with double petals.

You can find more than 25 lilac species with options including both trees and shrubs. Although these plants vary in size and shape, they all produce large panicles made up of tiny flowers. All types of lilacs are native to parts of Europe and Asia.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Lilac varieties come in various heights, flower colors, and shapes. Therefore, it’s helpful to research to find one that suits your needs. The following cultivars are a good starting point.

• ‘Nadezhda’: This variety is extremely cold hardy, so it’s an excellent option for zones three and four. It produces beautiful clusters of double purple blooms.
• ‘Josee’: This dwarf lilac remains less than six feet tall and produces light pink flowers. Although the main bloom period occurs in the spring, the plants will rebloom sporadically through the fall. 
• ‘Angel White’: While many lilacs require cold winters, this cultivar can grow well in zone eight. It produces fragrant, white flowers.

Spirea

	common name Spirea
	botanical name Spirea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-8 feet; varies by species
	hardiness zones 3-9

Also known as meadowsweet, the Spirea genus consists of close to 100 species of flowering shrubs. Most species are native to temperate Asia, but some are native to North America. All the plants produce small blooms arranged in clusters resembling umbrellas, elongated cones, or fluffy marshmallows.

Spirea blooms can come in light pink, deep magenta, and white colors. The bloom time depends on the species and variety, but you can expect these plants to flower in either the spring or summer.

Plant shape also varies by species and cultivar. Some types of spirea produce long, cascading stems, and others produce tidy, upright growth.

Varieties Great for Cutting

You can find hundreds of spirea varieties, but these are some popular options to consider.

• ‘Vanhoutte’: This hybrid variety, also known as bridal wreath spirea, produces arching stems covered in umbrella-shaped clusters of small white flowers. The plants can grow up to eight feet tall and flower in the spring.
• ‘Daphne’: Also known as ‘Alpina,’ this Japanese spirea has a low-growing, mounded growth habit. It produces clusters of light pink flowers that are well-suited for cutting.

Flowering Quince

	common name Flowering Quince
	botanical name Chaenomeles spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-10 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

While most shrubs bloom sometime in the middle of spring through the middle of fall, flowering quince steps outside this norm. These Asian natives flower in the late winter or early spring, adding color at otherwise drab times of the year. Since the flowers appear before the shrubs leaf out, it’s easy to spot the beautiful blooms.

Most types of flowering quince only bloom for one to three weeks, so it’s best to enjoy the blooms while you can. Cutting the branches while the flowers are still in bud form will allow you to enjoy them indoors as long as possible. Over time, they’ll open into small, delicate flowers.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Flowering quince can produce single or double blooms in white, pink, red, and orange shades. Here are a few well-loved varieties.

• ‘Toyo-Nishiki’: You can expect a mix of white and pink flowers, including both colors on a single branch. Just be aware the branches are covered in thorns.
• ‘Double Take® Peach’: Light peach, double-petaled flowers, and thornless branches make this new variety a favorite.
• ‘Texas Scarlet’: This spiny shrub is loaded with deep red flowers in the early spring.

Forsythia

	common name Forsythia
	botanical name Forsythia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-10 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

In the spring, the long stems of forsythia shrubs become covered with bright yellow flowers. Since the flowers appear before the leaves pop, the color display is truly fantastic. Each flower is tubular and has long petals.

Multiple forsythia species and hybrids are available. While these plants vary in appearance, they all produce distinctive yellow flowers.

As far as growth habit goes, forsythias can be anything from small to large shrubs. They all produce many long stems from a central base, but some grow upright, and others develop a more weeping form.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Although all forsythia varieties have similar flowers, they vary in size, shape, and environmental preferences.

• ‘Lynwood Gold’: This variety grows as a medium to large shrub and can be used to create a hedge. The yellow flowers are about one-and-a-half inches long and wide.
• ‘Arnold Dwarf’: This is a great choice if you want a low-growing forsythia. It only grows a few feet tall but can spread up to seven feet wide, making it an excellent option for open areas.
• ‘Meadowlark’: This forsythia is a large shrub with notable cold hardiness. Unlike most varieties, it can survive winters in zone three.

Pussy Willow

	common name Pussy Willow
	botanical name Salix spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-15 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

While most of the shrubs on this list are known for their beautiful flowers, the pussy willow doesn’t sport jaw-dropping or even noticeable blooms. However, its iconic fuzzy catkins make it worthy of recognition. If you want to grow these plants for these soft catkins, be aware that only the male plants produce what you’re after.

Like most willows, these plants thrive in moist soil. They can grow in average soil as long as you regularly irrigate, but they are happiest next to streams or ponds.

You can find multiple Salix species that are known as pussy willow, but I recommend Salix discolor. This species is native to the United States and produces super soft catkins. Since the catkins appear before the flowers, you can plan on harvesting the tuft-covered branches in the early spring.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Don’t be afraid to cut two to four feet long stems. The plants will regrow the following year and provide you with another harvest.

• ‘Mt. Asama’: A cultivar of the Asian species Salix chaenomeloides, this pussy willow produces light pink catkins.
• ‘Melanostachys’: This variety of Salix gracilistyla is commonly known as the black pussy willow due to its dark-colored catkins.

Buttonbush

	common name Buttonbush
	botanical name Cephalanthus occidentalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 5-8 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

This native shrub is one of my top choices for average to moist garden areas. It doesn’t require any special care, has an attractive branching shape, and provides interest throughout the year. Plus, the foliage provides food for sphinx moth caterpillars, and the flowers attract a range of pollinators.

In late spring, the plants produce spherical clusters or tiny, white, fragrant flowers. By early fall, the flowers turn to round, red fruits. Both the flowers and fruits work well in arrangements, so you enjoy this plant in bouquets throughout the year.

Buttonbush is deciduous, so it loses its leaves in the winter. However, the large, oblong leaves are an attractive deep green in the spring and summer and a beautiful yellow or red in the fall.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Although there is only one buttonbush species, you can find multiple varieties that vary in height and fall color.

• ‘Bieberich’: Also known as the Sputnik buttonbush, this variety is known for its pale pink flowers.
• ‘SMCOSS’: Known as the Sugar Shack® buttonbush, this cultivar tops out at five feet tall, making it a great choice for small gardens.

Viburnum

	common name Viburnum
	botanical name Viburnum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-20 feet; varies by species
	hardiness zones 2-11; varies by species

The Viburnum genus consists of more than 150 species of shrubs that produce clusters of tiny flowers followed by small berry-like fruits known as drupes. Most species are native to temperate regions in the Americas and Eurasia, but a few can grow well in tropical areas. Since there are so many different species (and even more varieties), most gardeners can find one of these plants that fits their needs.

Since mature shrubs produce so many flowers in the late spring and early summer, you can cut some for your home and friends and enjoy others in your garden. Most species bloom on old wood, so avoid removing too much growth if you choose to prune.

All viburnum plants provide nectar for pollinators, and native species are host plants for the blue azure butterfly. The plants’ fruits also attract and feed birds including mockingbirds, northern flickers, and cedar waxwings.

Varieties Great for Cutting

You can find hundreds of viburnum varieties, so look at a few before you settle on one for your garden. Here are some of my favorites that look beautiful in the landscape and as a cut flower.

• Steady Eddy®: While most viburnums bloom for a few months in the late spring, this variety continues to flower throughout the summer. The white flowers have a lacy appearance that looks a bit like lacecap hydrangeas.
• American Cranberrybush: Viburnum opulus var. americanum is native to most of the northern half of the US. It features white lacecap flowers and bright red fruits.
• ‘Compactus’: This variety has light pink flowers, grows to six feet tall, and is hardy to zones 7-11.

Winterberry

	common name Winterberry
	botanical name Ilex verticillata
	sun requirements Full sun to full shade
	height 3-15 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

This deciduous holly loses its smooth leaves in the fall and leaves behind stems covered with bright red berries. Although birds and small mammals enjoy the fruits, you can also cut them for beautiful and long-lasting winter decor.

If you want to enjoy the plant’s berries, be aware you need to plant at least one male and one female plant. Only the females will produce berries, but they require a male pollinator to set fruit. One male plant for up to 20 females works well for larger plantings, assuming the plants are close together.

The plants grow best in moist to wet soil, but they don’t like the soil waterlogged or dry. Since the plants are native to much of the eastern US, they thrive in this area.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Unlabeled, straight-species winterberry varieties work well for red berries, but you can also find some unique cultivars.

• ‘Berry Heavy® Gold’: Expect branches covered with beautiful orange-gold berries when you plant this variety.
• ‘Winter Red’: This time-tested cultivar produces lots of bright red berries.

Snowberry

	common name Snowberry
	botanical name Symphoricarpos spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-6 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9; varies by species

Snowberry is one of the most underrated shrubs. First, most of the species are native to North America, so they provide food for wildlife and require little care when planted in a matching environment. The plants also produce cute, trumpet-shaped flowers and yield round fruits that hold up well after they’re cut.

You can find snowberry species native to the eastern, central, western, and southern US, so pick one that’s well-suited to your location. For example, Symphoricarpos albus is native to much of the northern US, and Symphoricarpos longiflorus is native to the Southwest.

While you can cut snowberry when it’s flowering in the spring and summer, most people wait until the plants produce fruit. The round berries range in color from pink to white and appear in clusters along the stems.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Along with straight species, you can find varieties bred for their attractive flowers and fruits.

• ‘Candy™’: This cultivar is a hybrid known as Symphoricarpos x doenbosii. It’s known for its pink fruits and healthy growth.
• ‘Variegatus’: A variety of Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, this plant has variegated green and yellow foliage.

Mock Orange

	common name Mock Orange
	botanical name Philadelphus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-12 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

People use the name mock orange to refer to any plant in the Philadelphus genus. These plants get their common name from their large white flowers, which smell like sweet orange blossoms. The simple flowers appear in late spring and bloom for multiple weeks.

Although the flowers smell like orange blooms, these shrubs don’t produce notable fruits. Instead, their seeds are contained in small, brown capsules.

There are more than 50 species of mock orange worldwide, but only a fraction are commonly used in landscaping. About 20 species are native to North America, where they grow from California to Washington to Tennessee.

Varieties Great for Cutting

You can find various species and cultivars that work well for landscaping and cutting.

• ‘Aurea’: This variety maxes out at six feet tall and produces yellow-gold leaves that mature to green.
• ‘Belle Etoile’: While most mock orange varieties produce solid white flowers, this cultivar has white blooms with deep pink centers.
• ‘Snowbelle’: Unlike most mock oranges, ‘Snowbelle’ produces flowers with double layers of petals.

Abelia

	common name Abelia
	botanical name Abelia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

The Abelia genus contains six species of plants in the honeysuckle family. The shrubs are native to Asia, where they remain evergreen in warm areas and grow as deciduous shrubs in cooler regions. All of the plants produce clusters of bell-shaped flowers on the ends of their stems.

The pink or white flowers appear in the late spring and summer. While some varieties only produce a single flush of flowers, others continue to bloom into the fall.

After the flowers drop, attractive pink bracts remain throughout the fall. I think the bracts are a gorgeous addition to arrangements and wreaths even after they turn brown.

Varieties Great for Cutting

You can find cultivars that vary in flower size, bloom time, flower color, and foliage. Here are a few favorites.

• ‘Kaleidoscope’: This hybrid variety has variegated foliage that turns beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall.
• ‘Funshine®’: Enjoy foliage that emerges yellow and orange before changing to green and light purple flowers.

Weigela

	common name Weigela
	botanical name Weigela spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-10 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

This genus of evergreen shrubs includes 35+ species native to eastern Asia. The plants produce white or pink bell-shaped flowers in the late spring or early summer. Although some varieties only produce one flush of flowers, others continue to bloom throughout the summer and into the fall.

Weigela shrubs are generally easy to care for as long as you plant them in a suitable location. They do benefit from annual pruning. However, since the plants flower on old wood, you should prune right after they flower.

Varieties Great for Cutting

Note that flower shape, flower color, and leaf color all vary between varieties.

• ‘Alexandra’: The combination of deep purple foliage and bright pink flowers makes this variety a standout. It’s also known as Wine and Roses®.
• ‘Lemiczam’: While most weigela varieties produce white or pink flowers, this one blooms pale yellow. You can also look for it under the name Lemon Ice.
• ‘Variegata’: Variegated leaves and pink and white flowers make this a staple in the garden.