What does the term 'cut flower' refer to?

The term 'cut flower' specifically refers to flowers that are harvested from plants and sold or used independently for floral arrangements. This classification highlights the process of cutting flowers from their source for the purpose of creating bouquets, centerpieces, and other decorative displays, showcasing their beauty and fragrance.

In contrast, flowers grown in pots (the first choice) remain in their containers and are not typically used in arrangements in the same way as cut flowers. Dried flowers (the third choice) have undergone a preservation process that prevents them from being fresh cut flowers, and they are primarily used for decoration rather than immediate floral arrangements. Flowers planted in the garden (the fourth choice) refer to those growing in soil where they continue to thrive as part of a landscape rather than being intended for use as cut specimens.

Thus, the definition of cut flowers is centered around those that are intentionally cut for arrangement purposes, which is why the correct answer is the one defining this practice.