Cool Flowers: How to Grow and Enjoy Long-Blooming Hardy Annual Flowers Using Cool Weather Techniques

by Lisa Mason Ziegler

Everyone longs for fragrant early spring blossoms – Snapdragons, Bells of Ireland, Sweet Peas, Sweet Williams and other beauties. But few grow them successfully in their own gardens because they haven’t learned the simple cool-weather techniques that make it possible. Expert flower grower Lisa Zeigler profiles 30 long-blooming stars of the spring garden, the "hardy annuals" that thrive when they are planted during cool conditions (instead of waiting until the warmth of spring and losing much of the season). Give them a cool start, plant them in the right spot at the right time, and stand back. In no time at all you’ll have a low-maintenance, vibrant spring flower garden that keeps on blooming when the "tender annuals" are dead and gone. Beautifully photographed and filled with simple steps to success.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Torrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely everyone who has any interest at all in growing cut flowers for any reason---either commercially or for personal use---needs to read this. We're starting a small-scale flower farm this year, and this book is going to be my guide on everything hardy annuals going forward. I only wish I would have found it last fall so I could have taken full advantage of the wintering-over process!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous resource on growing hardy annuals. Great guide to starting earlier in the season to take advantage of the cool weather that some flowers actually prefer to grow during. And it is a small book, packed with good info that is doable, not overwhelming and useful for a backyard gardener as well as a flower farmer.

[Swindia Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny how she suggests not planting your cut garden where you can see it from inside your house. Because it will look so nice to look at, you won't want to cut flowers from it.

[Hannah G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gonna be a flower farmer.

[theelizzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

easily digestible information and full of advice that is logical, simple and doable. I loved the photos and extra tips throughout that can make big impacts in the garden.

[Amy T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across Lisa Ziegler in her more recent book, Vegetables Love Flowers. I love her sunny, practical approach to flower gardening. This book focuses on planting hardy annuals in the fall for early spring blooms. I’ll admit I’ve never thought about planting anything except perennials in the fall. This book will have a permanent place on my shelf now.

[Brittany Sprague · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful resource for extending a growing season.

[Lanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few gardening books I actually own, and it's got post it notes everywhere. A must for flower growers (hobbyists and professionals).

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool Flowers: How to Grow and Enjoy Long-Blooming Hardy Annual Flowers Using Cool Weather Techniques by Lisa Mason Ziegler is a comprehensive guide to growing hardy annual flowers that thrive in cool weather. The book is a great resource for gardeners looking to add variety to their flower gardens and extend the blooming season.

Ziegler's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it accessible to both experienced and novice gardeners. She begins by explaining the benefits of growing cool flowers, including their ability to bloom earlier and longer than traditional annuals, and their ability to withstand colder temperatures.

The book is filled with beautiful photographs of flowers in various stages of growth, as well as helpful diagrams and charts. Ziegler provides detailed information on selecting the right plants for your climate, preparing your garden beds, and caring for your plants throughout the growing season.

One of the highlights of the book is the extensive list of cool flowers, including both popular and lesser-known varieties. Ziegler provides information on each flower's growth habits, ideal growing conditions, and best uses in the garden. She also includes tips on harvesting and using the flowers for arrangements and other purposes.

Overall, Cool Flowers is an excellent resource for any gardener looking to expand their knowledge and experience with cool-season flowers. Ziegler's passion for her subject matter shines through in her writing, and her expertise is evident in the wealth of information provided. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this book is sure to inspire and inform.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

What a lovely, informative, and encouraging book. I finally understand what hardy annuals are now. God really didn't mean to make growing things so difficult. LOL. Humans have an uncanny ability to complicate everything. :P I'm going to give this a try this summer. Start hardy annuals seedlings to transplant in the fall for early springtime harvesting. Brilliant!

The writing style was very easy-to-read and I really liked the pictures the author provided, first for the baby seedling in the spring and then for the mature plant with flowers. The only reason I didn't give this more stars is because I already knew some of the information.

[missjz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so SO helpful. It breaks down cool flowers or hardy annuals flower by flower with detailed instructions of best tips for germination, spacing, zones, and planting schedules. It demystifies staking and covers and netting and whether to soak or freeze your seeds. I also really appreciate the pictures as a guide to identify flower varieties but also step by step pictures for garden bed prep as well.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool flowers is a very small volume, easily read in a short stint, but will be used as a reference for those beginning cut flower gardening. It has some overlap with her other book, “Vegetables Love Flowers.” While offering some new information, if you’re only going to read/buy one of her books, I’d choose Vegetables Love Flowers. Her books read like her podcasts and online class with plenty of anecdotal episodes.

[Colette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic introduction to growing hardy annual flowers. I’ve done this with vegetables before, but not with flowers. It will serve and a wonderful reference as I go through the years. It also goes into how to prepare a bed and how to start seeds. Soil blocking looks amazing. Cant wait to get started.

[Alanna Rose Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast and simple read. I feel more confident in categories of flowers that I am attempting to grow: spring vs summer. She gave helpful and practical advice on flower selection, soil improvement, tools/supplies, and organic practices. Excited to get my spring planting underway and I plan to do my “cool flower” garden far earlier next year.

[Judi Wigren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and full of great advice even for people like me who have been growing flowers for years. I've out most of her techniques into practice and even now in full Winter I see results. I will be getting much earlier blooms now on my hardy annuals.

[Summer Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Lisa. Currently taking her flowering farming school course. She is full of 1st hand knowledge. Her approach is vert down to earth and easy to understand. She has given me courage in my flower farming journey. She makes herself available and approachable which is an invaluable resource a!one.

[Alix St Amant · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to grow flowers for pleasure or profit, this book is a must read. I have never seen the information found in this book anywhere else. I learned so much! And the photos throughout the book are just gorgeous. It’s a quick and easy read, full of inspiration.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25. I am curious how overwintering will do in my zone and can’t wait to try it out this fall. There are several varieties of flowers I’ve been wanting to try for awhile and now I have a better grasp of how to go about growing them.

[Beth Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! I’m starting a cutting garden this year and knew nothing about cool flowers… Has great resources in there about starting seeds and very specific information about 30 cool flowers that she grows. A wealth of information highly recommend it!

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for a beginning gardener like me. Easy read, good explanations and pics.

[stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

Clearly outlines how to succeed in a new way of seeing my garden. Great reference chart to refer back to

[Barbara Appleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written and informative!

Thank you for sharing all your information, it was a pleasure to read! You have inspired us to be FLOWER FARMERS in Canada!

[Katy Emanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to understand and planning to put some of these practices into place with our business to help.lighten our spring load and to establish stronger plants.

[Kelsey Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m about to act up and start a flower farm now

[Danielle Van Huysen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot! Let’s see if my larkspur bloom in the spring

[Hannah Grimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that gets read and re-read twice a year, every year. Don’t know what I would do without it.

[Emily Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and will change my flower farming practices forever!

[Alyxandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice on beginning and end of season flower gardening dates.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s good info I have not seen before about timing the start of hardy annual flowers.