Stage of development for harvest of numerous cut flower species.

Table obtained from Floriculture Principles and Species (Dole and Wilkins, 2004).

NameStage of Development

Ageratum houstonianumcenter floret fully open, lateral florets well colored

Agrostemmagithago1 to 2 flowers open

Allium cultivars1/4 to ½ florets open

AmaranthuscaudatusFresh: 3/4 of florets open, dry: allow all flowers to grow seed and inflorescence to become firm

Ammimajus80% of flowers in umbel open

Antirrhinum majus1/3 flowers open

Asclepiastuberosa1/2 to 2/3 flowers open

Buddleia davidii25 to 75% of buds open but lower florets not yet fading

Bupleurumrotundifoliumalmost all flowers fully open

Calendula officinalisfully open flowers

Celosia argenteainforescence fully colored but prior to significant seed formation

Centaureacyanusapical flower 3/4 to fully open

Consolidaambigua2 to 5 florets open

Cosmos bipinnatuspetals on apical flower opening but not yet flat

Dahlia cultivars3/4 to fully open flowers

Delphinium cultivars1/4 to 1/3 florets open

Dianthus barbatus10 to 20% of florets open

Echinacea purpureapetals fully expanded, first ring of disk florets open

Eustomagrandiflorumone or more open flowers and basal buds showing color

Forsythiaintermediabuds show color for immediate use, stems with tight buds are harvested for forcing

Gladiolus cultivarslower 2 buds showing color

Gomphrena cultivarsflower heads large and rounded but not yet elongated

Grainsseed heads are full size but before seeds are mature

Helianthus annuusflowers almost fully open

Hydrangea species1/2 florets open

I. hollandicabefore falls reflex, ‘pencil’ stage

L. sinuatumalmost fully open developed bracts, white flower petals visible

Monardadidymaone ring of florets open and others fully colored

Nigellaspeciesflower fully colored but petals not yet totally separated from center for fresh or pods mature and well colored drying

Paeonia cultivarsbuds first show color and are medium firm to soft

Polianthestuberosa2 to 4 flowers open

Rudbeckia cultivarsfully open flowers and first ring of disk florets open

Salvia leucanthawhite flower petals visible on lower 3 to 4 flowers

Solidago cultivars1/2 florets open

Tulipagesnerianahalf colored buds

Verbena bonariensismost florets open

Zinnia elegansfully open flowers