Marigolds and Zinnia grow very nicely and have really pretty flowers. I have to include my favorite as well. Sunflowers. There are many smaller varieties of them that would be good for cutting.

and cosmos, they hold up many days as cutflowers

Here is a good book for Florida cutting gardens:

Here is a link that might be useful: A Cutting Garden for Florida

Ooh, thanks for the link. I have to get that.

oo...some awesome ideas. Even I should be able to handle most of those!!!! (maybe!) THANKS! and I'll have to check out that book, as well!

it's a very good book, btw. i think it's the single best reference guide for flowers in fla.

let me say that my snaps (from seeds -- big, vibrant varietal called rocket that has nothing in common with the trashy ones from the bigboxes) and foxgloves are AMAZING right now... but these are not quick blooms -- they take all winter to grow then bloom all spring.

I love buddleia It grows fast and has nice long stems for cutting and smells heavenly!

Salvia, porterweed, and lavender also are great!
Kat

Kat, what kind of buddleia do you grow? I've tried a couple and failed....also, what kind of lavender?? We're on the edge of the 9b zone.

Beth, it's wonderful that you allow your gkids to share your garden. My little granddaughter also loves to pick flowers out of my garden for her mom. I let her cut whatever she wants. I have a white floribunda rose (Iceberg?) that blooms constantly and that's the first place she looks. Then she heads for the guara and passion vine. The bush daisies are always in flower too. It's amazing the bouquet you can put together with what you already have growing. Have fun!
~Betsy

The kids are LOVING MomMom's garden...every time they come to the house that's the first place they go...have to see what's grown and what's new. They're always wanting to plant seeds in cups.....SOME even survive! They take them home and water and nurture...it's fun! I've never picked a passion flower...will have to try that.....and my iceberg, too, is usually loaded. Great suggestions! ...going to buy seeds for marigolds, zinnia and cosmos tomorrow, I hope, too...my snapdragons and pansies are most gone by for this year. Love all the ideas, friends...thanks.

You know, that's great about your grandkids. I keep bragging about my mom's yard and how beautiful it is. She is also a collector. One thing about her is that she is just dirt poor. So it's good that she has gardening as her hobby because it can be very inexpensive if done right. Since she is poor she usually can't afford gifts for birthdays and such but I thought what she did for my daughter that just turned 5 was absolutely WONDERFUL!!! We went to visit last week just like every week. It was the day before my daughter's birthday. She went inside and got her a small crystal vase and took her around the yard and made just the most beautiful birthday bouquet that you can imagine. Then she told her to bring her vase back every week and Grammy will put fresh flowers in it. We are going tomorrow so I will take my camera and try to get some good pics to post.