Valentine’s Day is happening this week and my usual reaction is a pink or red vase. I finally collected a full vase of Zinnias and decided Cupid wouldn’t mind some colors other than pink. One of Zinnias flower meanings is lasting affection, I think that works for Valentine’s Day. The Envy Zinnias in here might be more difficult to explain.
The warmer weather over the past few weeks has produced some green tomatoes and Zinnias. Bell peppers are setting buds and the cool season herbs are being devoured (by humans). The Sunflowers are in bud and I am earnestly watching the Ranunculus, having never seen any before, waiting breathlessly to see a flower, or a bud. They look like weird giant parsley right now. I just stuffed a package of “Alaska” Nasturtium seeds into the pots and edges of beds around my front porch. It may be too late to plant the seeds, I usually do it in December.
The details:
The vase, inherited from my mother, was made by the Ute tribe in the Southwestern US. The flowers are Zinnias, grown from seed started in December and nurtured through two unusual cold snaps. Cactus mix in pink and Envy in green. The purple foliage is from an old “Purple Prince” Alternanthera, which has been languishing in a pot for a couple of years. I had just decided to get rid of it and changed my mind to add it to the vase. Maybe I will just start some new cuttings and change the planting in the pot. Decisions, decisions.
Maybe this is Cupid contemplating the Zinnias. Or a garden cherub?
Thanks to Cathy at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting, follow the link to see more vases.
Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Gardening!!!!
The Shrub Queen 
I’m impressed by your ability to obtain flowers from seeds sown in December, the weather and temperatures must suit them perfectly. It is a charming vase too and a lovely arrangement. Happy Valentine’s Day.
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Thank you, Noelle. It’s odd what grows when here and often backwards from Northern gardens.
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Saint Valentine’s Day is overrated anyway. I could rant on that for a while, although it is one of the most important days of the year for my colleagues who grow cut flowers. If I could grow zinnia, especially at this time of year, I would show them off also.
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I agree..cooking some lamb for dinner tomorrow and that’s about it. Maybe some red flowers from the garden.
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Beautiful flowers that are blooming now for you….I love hearing about gardening in winter in warmer climates. The vase is also lovely.
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Thank you, winter gardening is much more enjoyable than summer here.
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I’m sure that Cupid would be pleased by most flowers regardless of the colour Amelia😀 What a unique and striking vase. Ranunculus foliage is indeed reminiscent of giant parsley. Envious of those green tomatoes and hope that they are soon ripe enough to eat.
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Cupid has an odd reputation! Thank you..I am eyeing the tomatoes daily, they are tiny!
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Your zinnias have done really well. Ranunculus are really pretty and I think you’ll like them.
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I think about half of the zinnias did well. The others fell apart or are dwarfed. Weird. I am amazed the Ranunculus actually came up.
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I have grown them in the ground, but they only lasted one year. Probably rotted.
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I think I will put the bulbs in the ground just to see what happens. I would guess we are both too far south for these, except there they are ?!
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I would normally be sowing my zinnias about now, but am leaving them a little later this year – yours are stunning, especially with the pale pink and green against those wonderful dark leaves and that gorgeous vase. I really love this one!!
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Thanks, Cathy. I am still not sure of the optimum zinnia time here. Some have succumbed to the cold from December.
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Yes, I had an issue with mine last year too
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I was puzzled by the appearance of the plants. Some of them just sort of dried up and others are dwarf, but flowering in the warmer weather?
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Yes, mine were similar here
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I’m still always surprised when I see your winter zinnias, Amelia. The zinnias show up beautifully against the dark Alternanthera. I’ve none of the latter at present but, now that you’ve embedded that combination in my mind, I’ll be sure to look for some when the local garden centers begin to stock up their shelves again. The vase you selected plays perfectly with the arrangement too.
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Thank you, Kris. The Alternanthera has been around for years.. super tough.
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Very nice combination, Amy. I prefer pink to red for Valentine’s Day, and the burgundy foliage and green ‘Envy’ are the perfect accompaniments. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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Thanks, Eliza. Happy Valentines!
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Now that is a really lovely vase Amelia! The meaning of zinnias is perfect for Valentines, and the colour pink is rather romantic.
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Thank you, Cathy. I’m relishing the colors. A bit different. Wish I had some red sticks!
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😉
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Your Valentine vase is lovely. I think you’re doing great with your zinnias lately–so pretty. I bought Envy seeds along with some other zinnias last week. It felt great to be planning. My zinnia seeds don’t do well until the soil warms up so I will hold off for a while. Hope the ranunculus do well. I had beginner’s luck with them once and never have gotten another bloom.
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Thanks, Susie. Zinnias definitely need some warmth. I have heard that Ranunculus story more than once. I have a feeling they are like tulips in the South and need more chill. Probably annuals here, though I will enjoy cutting them. Fingers crossed.
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