Plants That Grow Better in Raised Beds – 6 Bold and Beautiful Cut Flowers that Thrive Out of the Ground
Learn which cut flowers benefit from this simple growing trick
There are many reasons to incorporate raised beds in your garden. A brilliant design technique for zoning your outside space, a neat way to introduce height and interest plus a simple way to soften and bring color into seating areas, they are a trusty go-to option for most landscape designers. But it’s not just good looks alone, that make them so appealing. Some plants really do grow better in raised beds.
No matter their size, design or configuration, exploring raised bed garden ideas can provide a simple way to broaden your plant selection. Not only do they offer improved drainage – provided they are configured and layered correctly – encouraging stronger and healthier root growth, but they encourage air to circulate around stems and foliage, reducing mildew and crown rot.
Black-eyed Susan
Striking and cheery, Rudbeckia fulgida is a long performing, summer flowering perennial that adores full sun.
Although unfussy about its type of growing soil, it does demand well-draining conditions, as Nikki Bruner from Perfect Plants explains. ‘Black-eyed Susan thrives in raised beds because excess moisture drains away quickly, reducing the risk of root rot.’
Upright and clump-forming, these tough plants spread by producing underground rhizomes and prove to be low maintenance, drought tolerant plants once established. Expect most varieties to reach 2-3ft (60-90cm) and spread 18-24 inches (40-60cm).
Thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3-8 and beneficial to bees, butterflies and seed-eating birds, the plant with its slightly rough leaves can be prone to downy mildew, especially in humid conditions and densely packed borders. Planting in a raised bed with plenty of grit and organic matter worked in can help alleviate this problem.
Eye catching varieties include Rudbeckia fulgida var sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ from Nature Hills, and ‘Prairie Glow’, also available from Nature Hills.
Pair with a classic raised bed kit in wriggly tin, such as this one from Vego Garden, and opt for a modern grey finish to make the sunny petals pop.
Nikki Bruner is the marketing manager at Perfect Plants Nursery. With a passion for plants and expertise in marketing, Nikki combines her knowledge of the nursery industry with her creative thinking to promote and highlight the exceptional offerings of Perfect Plants Nursery. She is dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction and providing valuable insights for plant lovers.
Zinnia
Delightfully dazzling but often tricky to grow, zinnias can cause gardeners an awful lot of head scratching. Take a shortcut recommended by many experts and grow them in a raised bed.
‘Zinnias thrive in raised beds because their roots require excellent drainage and oxygen to prevent fungal disease,’ says horticulture and floriculture expert Laura Walsh.
‘The loose, fast-draining soil and improved air circulation of raised beds promote stronger stems, healthier foliage, and more consistent blooming. Zinnias make bold, joyful statement flowers in foraged floral arrangements, bringing vibrant color and sturdy structure.’
Growing up to 1-3ft (30-90cm) tall, start zinnia varieties from seed in April and May to flower from August through September. Try Burpee's cut & come again seed mix for a fantastic array of colors.
Slightly tender, keep these sun-loving annuals out of strong winds by planting them in easy-to-move raised beds, such as the Rolling V-Series from Vego Garden.
Calendula
Although they happily pop up all over the yard, the strongest and healthiest pot marigolds or calendula plants grow in raised beds.
‘Calendula comes from the Latin "calendae" meaning "little calendar" referring to the fact that the flowers open at sunrise and close at sunset,’ says Horticultural Expert Diane Blazek.
‘Well-draining soil is key. While calendula isn’t fussy about soil type, it prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH.’ Diane also adds to, ‘keep plants watered but avoid overhead watering as plants are susceptible to mildew.’
Another bonus for growing calendula varieties at an elevated level is that it is easy to spot and deadhead spent blooms. This prevents them from setting seed early and encourages new buds to form.
Pick calendulas first thing in the morning when the petals are fully open, trim stems at a 45 degree angle and plunge cut ends straight into lukewarm water.
Diane Blazek, Executive Director of All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau, has been deeply (and happily!) immersed in gardening from an early age. After 15 years with Ball Publishing, Diane moved to her current role where she can be even closer to the end consumer. Both organizations are in an exciting period of growth and influence both inside and outside the industry. Innovative ideas and progressive programs for consumers, garden communicators, public gardens, and a full range of growers and retailers have benefited all segments of the horticulture industry.
Cosmos
Hugely popular with floral and interior designers, cosmos - particularly in dreamy shades of blush, pale apricot and softest yellow - is a must-have in this year’s cutting garden.
‘Cosmos makes beautiful statement flowers in foraged floral arrangements, adding airy movement, soft texture, and a wild, meadow-inspired elegance that feels effortless and natural,’ explains Laura Walsh.
Loved by pollinators such as hoverflies and butterflies, the young plants are also hugely attractive to slugs and snails. Another reason to lift them off the ground, into a raised bed such as this sleek design from Vego Garden.
Happiest occupying their own spot in full sun, these cut-and-come-again flowers produce large open blooms that float above feathery green foliage. Standing at 20-24 inches (51-61cm) tall and flowering from July through October, they bring a mass of long-lasting color to any yard.
‘Cosmos naturally prefers loose, well-drained soil, making raised beds an ideal growing environment,’ explains Laura. ‘The uniform soil texture and warmer conditions encourage deep root development, earlier establishment, and upright plants with abundant blooms.'
Laura Walsh is the Marketing Director at Smithers-Oasis North America and a recognized leader in horticulture and floriculture. A certified floral designer and member of the Academy of Floriculture, she is also active with Professional Floral Communicators International, where she travels nationwide sharing expertise in floral and foraged design.
Phlox
If you have grown garden phlox, also known as phlox paniculata, chances are that you have encountered the worrying issue of mildew quickly spreading across the leaves.
Spread by airborne spores as a result of prolonged wet conditions, this disease can be tricky to eradicate. Growing this cottage garden favorite in a tall U shaped metal raised bed such as this from Vego Garden can reduce the issue.
‘Phlox performs best in raised beds where enhanced drainage and airflow reduce the risk of crown rot and powdery mildew. Elevated soil also minimizes disease pressure, resulting in healthier plants and longer-lasting floral displays,’ says Laura Walsh.
‘Phlox makes a lovely filler flower in foraged floral arrangements, offering soft clusters of color and a delicate, cottage-garden texture that fills space without overpowering the design.’
You can find tall garden phlox plants at Nature Hills.
Snapdragon
Tailoring the soil to a specific plant’s needs is far easier in a raised bed than in the ground.
Thanks to the defined area you can carefully control the drainage, soil mix and fertilizer levels to aid strong healthy growth and reduce pests and disease from spreading. Antirrhinums or snapdragons grown for cutting benefit hugely from this approach.
Plant expert Katie Sunderlage explains, ‘Make sure to use loose, well-drained soil. Adding compost for more organic matter is ideal to help add nutrients and aeration to the soil. Ideally, the depth of the raised bed should be 8-12” to allow enough room for the roots to grow.’
Katie adds that, ‘Snapdragons can also benefit from fertilizing during the summer months. The best option is an all-purpose, 10-10-10 slow-release formula that can be applied every 2-4 weeks (or as the label directs) once they start setting blooms.’
Try this professional slow release plant fertilizer from Amazon.
Operations Manager at Holland Group, managing the customer service department and purchasing. Katie has been in the green industry since 2005 in the Greater Milwaukee area, earning her degree in Horticulture in 2008. She has been able to share her love for plants working in multiple garden centers, in sales positions and most recently in an online retail platform at Holland Group.
Inspired to incorporated more raised beds in your garden? Then be sure to discover our expert views on the best material for a raised bed and the plants never to grow in a raised bed.
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