IT TAKES A VERY GOOD EYE to be able to arrange flowers of many colors in a single arrangement. Much easier (and often more striking) is a single-color theme. With zinnias, one of my favorite, easy summertime cutting flowers, this monochrome effect is best achieved by planting a single-color strain in the first place, such as the Benary’s Giant, instead of the usual mix. I favor orange, lime and crimson, but there is a wide range from white through several shades of pink, lilac-purple and vivid yellow.
zinnias, one color at a time
March 23, 2008
2 ferns with more lasting color than any flower 
golden days: is yellow spring’s favorite color? 
a must-have sedum: ‘matrona’ 
Zinnias are something we grow by the foot in our garden, the 45-foot row to be exact. We order seeds by the quarter-pound. I’ve never understood anyone gardening without them. They are joy itself, reminding me of Phyllis Diller’s hats, prom dresses that I’ve mistakenly worn, those crazy Rock-hopper penquins with the tufts of yellow feathers sprouting from their heads, in all, the delights of life itself.
I love zinnias I started growing them last year All colors they were about 4ft. tall . They were so beautiful.Im growing more right now for this spring, I cant wait.
Thanks Margie
Welcome, Margie. My sister grows multi-colors, too, and millions of them…her favorite things of all, I think. Me, I stick to oragne, red and chartreuse, but cannot imagine a year without zinnias, either. Thanks for visiting, and come again soon.
For the first year in about 10, I was unable to get my zinnia seeds to sprout. Tried several different kinds, from several different stores, with very sparse results. Finally gave up and put a couple of double knock out rose bushes in the space I usually reserve for the zinnias……summer won’t be the same. Still can’t understand what went wrong…….??
Welcome, Donna. You are not the first person who has mentioned this this year (and in fact I had bad germination on one variety in particular, too). Seems like some investigation is called for…now I am suspicious. See you soon again, I hope.
Hummmm….I thought it was just me. The only ones that sprouted well for me were the saved seeds from last year. I thought it was me.