Forgotten Oldie

[Nyboy]

As a kid visiting my aunt Lena you would always leave with a large bouquet of zinnias in a glass jar. It was the one garden flower she wanted you to cut, the more you cut, the more flowers you got. At a trip to nursery, I found cell packets of zinnia in deep red. I planted a few container with them, and am very happy how they are doing. Think next year i need more zinnias !!!!

 

[journey11]

Zinnias are awesome and so underestimated! We've tried a couple of different kinds the past few years mostly because Ava wanted to plant them. I had some stunning deep red ones last year interplanted with some huge cactus type flame orange zinnias. They are my favorite so far. The orange ones were about 5" in diameter!

Ava had some nice candy stripe zinnias in her little garden last year. And this year she has some small ones that are yellow and red and somewhat resemble a blanket flower. I will have to get a pic of those. Not sure the name of them...

Baker Creek has a really nice assortment of special zinnias too. http://www.rareseeds.com/search/?F_Keyword=zinnia The cactus types are so fancy, they remind me more of a dahlia, but less fussy and last so much longer in the vase.

 

[Nyboy]

I am adding more soon !!

 

[thistlebloom]

That orange cactus one is so pretty @journey11 !
I just installed a cutting garden for a client with perennials and shrubs, and next year was going to add some annuals. Zinnias will definitely make the list.
Do you guys have trouble with slugs and mildew on them?

 

[Smart Red]

Not me. Slugs have never been a big problem here and the zinnias seem to be nearly carefree.

 

[Nyboy]

I remember them also being carefree, but was a kid, I thought same about family dog.

 

[thistlebloom]

Haha NYboy! That made me laugh! It's funny how when you're young things just magically take care of themselves.

 

[journey11]

Mine sometimes get mildew toward the end of the summer, but it's so wet here. Maybe you won't have that problem. They keep blooming right up til frost though.

 

[Lavender2]

I love zinnias, they are just so easy! But I have had trouble with mildew, especially with the taller varieties, @thistlebloom. I usually stick to the profusion series that resist mildew. There may be some new taller varieties out there now that have better resistance, I should look into to that also. Love the cactus ones too @journey11 !

 

[Carol Dee]

I love the color combinations and wide variety. Here is a new color for me this year. Lime Green

(note JP damage to leaves.)