Gardener Morgan's Iowa Cut-Flower Garden
Gardener Morgan shares her 100-by-50-foot Iowa cut-flower garden, highlighting zinnias, a Dolly Parton tribute dahlia, and her gardening rituals during the
Late summer is a peak time for cut-flower gardens, with warm-season blooms providing abundant material for arrangements. Morgan, a gardener based in Dyersville, Iowa, tends a substantial 100-by-50-foot plot dedicated to flowers for cutting. She and the Fine Gardening editor studied environmental horticulture together at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Morgan, who studied environmental horticulture, shares her garden through the Fine Gardening GPOD series. Her garden is located near the famous Field of Dreams movie site. She describes the space as her own personal field of dreams. She finds it especially enjoyable to spend time among the blooms as the season begins to ease toward fall.
Zinnias Steal the Show
Zinnias are a standout feature in Morgan's late summer garden. She notes that zinnias, specifically Zinnia elegans and its cultivars, tend to steal the show. One photo is captioned "Sunset sweeties," suggesting the plants may be 'Sunset Mix' zinnias (Zinnia elegans 'Sunset Mix', annual). These annuals contribute vibrant color during what she calls "zinnia season."
A Garden Ritual
The gardener has established a consistent routine for maintaining her cutting garden. She describes an early morning ritual of watering and cutting flowers. Morgan spends her Sundays playing around and creating floral arrangements from the garden's bounty, a practice she finds deeply enjoyable. She knows the joy of walking outside and bringing something beautiful back indoors.
A Tribute in Blooms
One specific arrangement was created as a memorial. Morgan made it in honor of singer Dolly Parton. The arrangement featured a Coseytown Dollys Heart dahlia, which is a cultivar named Dahlia 'LeeAnn's FD61A'. This dahlia is noted for its deep burgundy-red color and is bred specifically for cutting, with stems strong enough to hold up well in vases. The plant is suitable for Zones 8 to 11.
Morgan's submission offers a glimpse into the productive and personal nature of a dedicated cut-flower garden. The photos show dense plantings and vibrant colors, capturing what she calls "a little garden magic." The Fine Gardening editor, a former classmate, expressed special pleasure in seeing how Morgan's horticultural skills have blossomed and hopes to see more of her flowers in seasons to come.
