I admit it, I am a Zinniaphile. The reformation from Zinniaphobe has taken a few years to process, but the conversion is complete. I think seeing Cactus Zinnias all summer in Monday vases did the trick. I planted a few varieties of Cactus mix and Green Envy seeds mid September and have been cutting flowers since mid November. My kitchen table has never had so many vases of flowers.
The Zinnias are mostly in grow bags. I have Green Envy planted in the ground, basically in potting soil as the sand in the garden resists water. It took several trials and many dwarfed Zinnias to figure out the sand, no matter how much it was amended, is pretty useless for growing classic cut flowers. I broadcasted a cutting garden seed mix in the area I was trialing the Zinnias last year; just to see what came up in the garden. One Sweet Alyssum, and so weird looking I had to look at it a couple of times before I could figure out what it was. Then, our resident rabbit ate the lone Nigella I tried there.
A close up:
The silverplate goblet is an ‘heirloom’ that came from my mother’s ‘junkstore collection’. It does not hold water and has a yogurt cup inside. I like the patina and wonder what possessed my mother to buy it. Maybe she liked the patina, too. Mysteries to ponder.
The Zinnias are all from the Cactus Mix seeds I bought on Etsy. The smaller pink flowers are Globe Amaranth that was a bonus seed gift with the Zinnias. Orange flowers are grow bag Marigolds from the cutting garden mix from Sow True Seeds in Asheville, North Carolina. Green flower spikes are Sweet Basil seed heads; green spikes are Muhly Grass foliage. Deep blue spike flowers are Mystic Spires Salvia.
Here are a few more vases of Zinnias my kitchen table has enjoyed..
Anyone else converted?
Thanks to Cathy for hosting In a Vase on Monday – to see more vases, follow the link to http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com
Happy Monday and Happy Gardening!!
The Shrub Queen 
Lovely as always
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Thank you.
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How many bags of zinnias do you grow that you have so many to cut? I would say that most of the ones I plant do not even germinate or grow many flowers. Maybe the good new soil in your bags does the trick.
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I have one bag of mixed colors and the green envy are in the ground. It’s the soil twice daily water osmocote and a weekly dose of miracle grow. I have been maintaining them like vegetables. I think the Etsy seeds were fresh too.
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I always fall behind in fertilizer. Note to self.
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Well, every Monday morning I mix Miracle grow, that is the only way I remember to do it weekly. The plants are worth it!
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Those flowers are absolutely gorgeous! I haven’t had a chance to plant a flower bed at my new home but I look forward to it!
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Thank you, try some Zinnias, so fun.
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I never knew how beautiful they were. I used to love the “conformity” of flowers like gladiola, which I still love, but I have come to admire the sort of haphazard growth of zinnias.
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I’ve always loved zinnias. Glad you’ve come over to the “colorful” side.
Your vases are all delightful, Amy. I like the formal one at top–your mom was on to something selecting its shape.
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The colorful side, love it!! Thank you, I love the funky silver goblet.
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I would have bought that. It has character.
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okay, I’ll be looking for your zinnias.
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What an informative post, and I am so glad you are converted to zinnias – what a great season you have been having with your zinnias…what do you think will finish them off? What great vases you have made from today’s selection – and doesn’t the Muhly grass add the perfect finishing touch? Is the globe amaranth the same thing as gomphrena?
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Thanks, Cathy. I am going to start another batch. I think they can be grown year round here, though probably not in the grow bags..more experiments on the horizon. Globe amaranth is Gomphrena and the first I have had in years, nearly indestructible.
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A year round supply of zinnias? You will be in your element!! Is gomphrena perennial for you? Must get some more seed – have grown it nce or twice with a small degree of success
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The zinnia project continues, I have seen them around the corner all summer. I am not sure about the gomphrena, this is the first time I have had them here.
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I’m glad you’ve had such success with Zinnias, growing them in winter to boot! My soil is on the sandy side, although I expect it’s not as sandy as yours. Even so, I also gave up growing zinnias and other flowers for cutting in my garden beds. I use 3 good-sized raised planters, as well as half-barrels and some large terracotta plants for those. I haven’t tried growing bags but I was checking those out in a catalog just last weekend as a possibility for “overflow” dahlia tubers.
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Me, too Kris. My soil is sand, not sandy soil. I think the grow bags need to be used when the weather is cool..
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Nope, I still will not grow zinnias, of any kind, although we do use a few bedding zinnias at work. They just do not do well for me.
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Don’t look to me to join the acolytes serving the zinnia goddess, but that doesn’t mean I cannot admire yours. Some lovely arrangements with a nice range of blooms and foliage.
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Oh yes, I am converted! Sign me up for the Zinnia Appreciation Society! 😃 (I never thought I would say that… I’ll be planting Marigolds next, heaven forbid! LOL!) I am enchanted by your zinnias Amy, and the little pink globes work perfectly with them in a vase. All your vases are fabulous, especially the last one with the feathery foliage (dill? fennel?). I ordered several different packets of zinnias a couple of weeks ago, mostly the cactus variety I think. Roll on Spring!
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LOL, I have marigolds, too. Though they are not charming me. Thank you, the feathery foliage is from fennel. I love to cook with it but I don’t think it can be grown here. The cactus are my favorite, I have heard other gardeners say the singles are better for butterflies?
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My mother grew zinnias, so they’ve always held a special place in my heart. But it wasn’t until IAVOM and the desire to plant flowers for pollinators that they became a must-have every year. Monarchs love them, I love their beautiful colors and forms, and non-stop flowers… what’s not to love?
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All true, my mother probably grew zinnias too – though I remember her cosmos more than anything and they continue to elude me.
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