"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. " ~Lindley Karstens

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Singing the Zinnia Song

Zinnia was one of those very first plants I have grown even before I claimed myself as a gardener. When we were selling our previous house, I bought one 18-pack of zinnias from a big box store to give the yard some instant color. Notice I said “yard” instead of “garden” because there were almost no plants in my previous house except some bushes. The only thing I did was just planting them in several containers and watering them. They just bloomed non-stopping.

Even after we moved into the new house, they kept blooming for me for another couple of months. Any plants can perform that well with little attention is a big plus for a non-gardener like me at that time. Next year, I found some free seedlings from that same zinnia in the garden. Since then I have bought a couple of more Zinnias with different colors from big box store. I loved them all even they might look very simple compared to so many other plants in my garden.

Early this year, I bought a pack of Burpee's Zinnia Elegans "Candy cane red on white" seeds, and planted.

When seedlings came up, I am surprised that the leaves are much broader than all the ones I had bought from the big box stores. The seedlings grew quite fast, and when it was the time to transplant, the big size of seedlings made it very easier to handle. Now the plants started developing the buds, and they are giving me more surprises with every opening flower.

Some came in red/white stripes as expected, with some variations on the colors:




Some came in different solid colors:






Most of them are 4 inch double flowers, but some came in small size with single layered flowers:





The flowers hold higher on the stems, and last for more than a couple of weeks, which made them great cutting flowers.  They thrive in the South Florida full sun, which is another character I love about this plant!

Recently I received some more American Elegans Zinnia seeds from my blog friend (thanks, Meems!). The seedlings are almost ready to be transplanted. These seeds are supposed to be multi-colored. I am sure that I will have a lot more to expect, and my garden will be so colorful with all these giant flowers dotted everywhere.


So, expect me singing the Zinnia song all Summer long, and well into the Fall!

18 comments:

  1. I love zinnias too - they are such carefree plants, and they look after themselves don't they? LOL! You have some beautiful ones.

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  2. Butterflies like to nectar on Zinnias, too.

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  3. For some reason I have never had good luck with Zinnias.Love these!

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  4. Those are wonderful Ami. Zinnias are such happy flowers. Like Chris C. I've not always done well with them either.

    FlowerLady

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  5. Love the zinnias whatever color they turn out to be. I always plant seeds directly in the ground and enjoy all summer long. They are the best butterfly attractors and the hummingbirds love them too.

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  6. What wonderful surprises! Zinnias may seem like a simple flower, but they are definitely powerful performers in our hot and humid summers. I love all your candy=striped variations. Enjoy!

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  7. What a beautiful rainbow of zinnias you have there, Ami! I have never tried growing zinnias from seed, but I may just have to give it a go now.

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  8. Jayne: Yes, they do look after themselves! Aren't they colorful?

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  9. NellJean: Oh, that would be another huge benefit, and I really MORE butterflies to visit my garden! Thanks!

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  10. Sherry: Thanks! Pretty indeed! :)

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  11. Chris: Hmm, I wonder why? Maybe not enough sun? I also had hit and miss with marigold somehow. This gardening world sometimes is just full of wonders :)

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  12. FlowerLady: You are so right about Zinnias as Happy Plant! I love to see them waiving in the breeze, as well as blazing sun!

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  13. NanaK: I also thought about direct sowing the seeds in the ground, but with my habit of moving and digging the plants, I was afraid I will accidently ruin the seedlings. Luckily these zinnia seedlings are very easy to transplant.

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  14. Susan: Thanks! Those Candy-stripped ones were the reason I bought the seeds, and the different color variations as well as all other solid colors are wonderful surprises. I think I will try more varieties next year especially with easy germination of the seeds.

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  15. FG: Oh, I am so glad to see your comment! Welcome back!!! Yes, you definitely should try some seeds. You even still can try right now. They are fast growers, and with less than two dollors, they bring you a whole summer of colors! Now I sound like a saleswoman :)

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  16. Oh, Ami,
    I would be singing too with all those pretty colors of zinnias. They really like your climate and butterflies usually like zinnias of any color.
    Enjoy your weekend.
    Meems

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  17. Hi. Thrilled to know that zinnias will do well in South Florida. They are one of my favorites to grow here on Long Island and I thought I would miss them when I make the big move. Thanks for the beautiful photos.

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