Want fuller, more romantic bouquets? These 7 easy-to-grow filler flowers add plenty of texture, charm, and volume to garden flower arrangements.
You know those wild, fresh picked bouquets that seem like they came straight from a storybook cottage garden? The kind that feel charming and magical and somehow perfectly imperfect?
These are the ones I drool over when I’m scrolling Pinterest or Instagram and I always wonder, how do I get my arrangements to look like that?
Here’s the secret: filler flowers.
Filler flowers are the unsung heroes of the cut flower garden. They add softness, texture, and airiness that helps to fill space in a bouquet while at the same time giving your showy blooms a little breathing room.
If you’re starting the cut flower garden of your dreams, you’ve got to have a few good fillers as well.
And don’t worry, the best filler flowers are just as easy to grow as focal flowers!
I’ve tried growing a number of different filler flowers over the last three years, and although I’m sure there are more out there that are great, these 7 are the ones that I enjoy growing and using the most.
I think these easy-to-grow filler flowers are perfect for beginner and backyard gardeners alike.
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7 Easy Filler Flowers to Grow for the Vase
1. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Feverfew is prolific, cold-hardy, and lasts a long time in the vase. It adds a delicate, cottagecore vibe to bouquets and pairs well with just about everything.
Grow tip: Start from seed indoors or direct sow in early spring. Cut often to keep it blooming.
Harvest tip: Pick stems when about ¾ of the flowers on a spray are open. Strip leaves and place immediately in water.
Looks great with: Zinnias, snapdragons, cosmos
Favorite Varieties:
- Magic Single: tiny, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers
- Magic Lime Green: soft, lemon-lime puffs with pale green tones
2. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
That’s right, basil is not just for the kitchen! Basil is a surprisingly beautiful and fragrant, spiky bouquet filler. I love growing basil for this dual purpose. I get to harvest leaves from the young plants for the kitchen, and once it starts blooming, I can use it for bouquets.
Grow tip: Start from seed after danger of frost. Do not place basil in a cooler or flower fridge or the leaves will turn black.
Harvest tip: Wait until stems feel firm and slightly woody for better vase life.
Looks great with: Dahlias, marigolds, calendula
Favorite Varieties:
- Cinnamon Basil: tall with deep purple flowers and dark stems
- Lemon Basil: bright green leaves that smell lemony fresh
- Cardinal Basil: fluffy, deep reddish purple flower head unlike regular basil
3. Orlaya (Orlaya grandiflora)
Lacy, elegant, and just the right amount of wild, orlaya adds a soft, feminine element to bouquets that makes everything feel a little more romantic. It looks delicate, but grows well in cold spring and can withstand light frosts.
Grow tip: Prefers cool temps, so direct sow early or late in the season.
Harvest tip: Keep picking flower to keep plant productive and delay seed production.
Looks great with: Sweet peas, cosmos, snapdragons
Favorite Variety:
- White Finch: uniform, long-stemmed blooms in lacy white
4. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Easy to grow, drought-tolerant, long lasting in the vase, and hardy from zones 3-9, yarrow fills a lot of space in a bouquet and comes in an array of colors.
I love growing yarrow as an ornamental plant and a cut flower.
Grow tip: Plant in full sun and do not overwater.
Harvest tip: Pick once all the little flowers are open but before it goes brown.
Looks great with: Zinnias, sunflowers, celosia, and other brightly colored flowers
Favorite Varieties:
- Colorado Mix: mix of bright reds, yellows, pinks
- Summer Berries Mix: shades of pink, white, and red
5. Plume Celosia (Celosia argentea plumosa)
Feathery, bold, and eye-catching, plume celosia is a late-summer superstar. It adds volume, texture, height, and a pop of late-summer color that makes bouquets feel full and festive, plus it dries really well.
Grow tip: Start indoors and transplant out after frost. Loves heat and sun.
Harvest tip: Harvest when the flowers are fully developed, and stems are firm at the base of the bloom.
Looks great with: Zinnias, sunflowers, rudbeckia
Favorite Varieties:
- Pampas Plume Tall Blend: vibrant mix of summery colors
- Shimmer: shimmery pastel colors
6. Bachelor’s Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)
Also known as cornflower, this charming filler flower produces tons of small blooms atop silvery gray foliage. These wildflowers reseed easily in my garden each summer and come back full force every spring.
One of the only true blue flowers out there, cornflower also comes in a few different colors like pink, purple, and dark burgundy.
Grow tip: Direct sow seeds in the fall to overwinter, or plant very early in spring. Plants are cold hardy and can tolerate light frosts.
Harvest tip: Harvest from late spring to early summer and leave some flowers to set seed for next year.
Looks great with: Peonies, snapdragons, roses
Favorite Varieties:
- Blue Boy: classic, blue bachelor’s button
- Black Magic: deep, dark burgundy purple flowers
7. Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)
Strawflowers are vibrant, long-lasting, and one of the best flowers for drying. They grow nice, long stems, and dry really well. You can find them in a bunch of different colors as well.
Because they dry so well, you use them fresh or dried in flower crowns, boutonnieres, or other applications where they’ll be out of the vase.
Grow tip: Use fresh seed each year for best germination. Try to save your own seed year after year.
Harvest tip: Pick when the bloom is just starting to open before the center is fully visible. Use the “wiggle test” to check stem firmness.
Looks Great with: zinnias, dahlias, rudbeckia
Favorite varietes:
- King Size Silvery Rose: pale pink
- Apricot Peach Mix: orangey, peachy tones
- Cranberry Rose: deep, purply pink
- Vintage White: pearly white blooms
How to Use Filler Flowers in Bouquets
Once you start harvesting your filler flowers, here are a few tips to make the most of them:
- Cut in the morning or evening for best vase life
- Remove lower leaves before putting stems in water
- Let them condition in cool water for a few hours before arranging
- Use them to create the shape and structure of the bouquet, then layer in focal flowers and accents
Don’t be afraid to use two or more different filler flowers in arrangements!
Final Thoughts
If you’re already growing showy blooms like dahlias and sunflowers, adding a few filler flowers will take bouquets to the next level.
Start with just one or two from this list, and you’ll be amazed at the difference they make.
And if you’re still planning your cutting garden? I’ve got a small-space garden plan here and a list of easy cut flowers for beginners to help you grow your best bouquets yet.
As always, grow what you love and enjoy what you grow!