Ornamental grasses

A classic of all flower shops, the cute, velvety bunny tail. It's excellent for drying, but for us, it looks most beautiful when still green. We use it to make boutonnieres for wedding guests, in wreaths, just everywhere. One plant produces at least 20 stems. For drying, harvest when the flowers are fully open but not yet dry and brown. Simply hang them upside down in a dry, ventilated place, away from direct sunlight.

Millet is used in bird feed, but we found it's a beautiful cut flower! If you plant it in your garden for ornament, you can also feed the local birds with it. The heads are large, compact, with 'buns' full of fruits, grains. The head bends, which creates an interesting effect in bouquets. For drying, we harvest blooming, semi-open buds. When fully bloomed, the inflorescences fall apart. Simply hang them upside down in a dry, airy place, out of direct sunlight.

You can never have enough grasses; you need plenty if you're making bouquets, and they also look beautiful in ornamental garden beds. Umbrella is a very nice type of millet. The seed heads bend when ripe, creating a waterfall effect. The fruits are larger, beautifully visible beads. Like a waterfall of beads.

For drying, harvest stems with panicles of florets just before they naturally yellow, ideally after the seeds have fully matured. Simply hang them upside down in a dry, ventilated place, away from direct sunlight.

Sorghum is used to feed animals, but we've found it also makes a great cut flower! It forms sturdy stems similar to corn, just thinner. The ears are compact with golden, green-brown fruits.

For drying, harvest mature spikes from mid-July. Simply hang them upside down in a dry, airy place, out of direct sunlight.