I planted Benerys this year. They are really huge blooms. I wanted something showie and I sure got them.

Yes, Benery's are nice zinnias. Large blossoms but also large plants. If you deadhead or cut for vase they just keep on coming too! I just picked these this morning. I cut flowers at least once a week.

I love zinnias and the do really well here. The self-sow, and as cut flowers they seem to last forever. Plus apparently the goldfinches love them.

I shall most definitely plant zinnias, more of them next year.

Goldfinches have denuded this yellow Candy Striper in my front window.



Thanks for the deadheading tip. I will do that today.

I thought they liked the seeds -- but they eat the petals too?? (my goldfinches must not have got the memo, I've never seen that happen )

Paul2032 said:I saw these zinnias yesterday.........I'll add some pictures here and will also start another zinnia thread as I have lots of pictures. I was very impressed......

• Zinnia (Zinnia elegans 'Magellan Yellow')
• Uploaded by Paul2032

• Zinnia
• Uploaded by Paul2032

Paul what variety are the zinnias third pic from the bottom. I am looking for some short ones for next year.

Veronica, those bedding types are great.

Zinnias: Mid Century Modern style

Aside from the gardening I'm a collector of things antique and vintage so aside from the cut flowers two recent MCM acquisitions to share. The dark green Anchor Hocking "rocket" vase was purchased because it's cool, and even more cool that it matches the 1950's AH Charm pattern dinnerware that I inherited (and use). It's vertical and rectangular vs. the square plates that seem to be back in style? I'll have to take a picture. I have a few other AH bud vases in the same green but this one really rocks a small table and setting for 4. I just picked up the turquoise and gold Stangl Pottery vase for a whopping $3.00. I had a bunch bookmarked for possible purchase to "match" an inherited 1940's lamp in turquoise and gold inherited from my grandmother on the other side of the family. Not a match but the colors will work together. Close enough/good enough, I'm pleased.

Zinnias are great in the garden being so easy to grow and equally generous in blooms. Long lasting when cut, they're perfect to bring the outdoors in. I consider myself a "manly man". I love loud trucks, fast cars, faster motorcycles and things that go "boom!" Still, I enjoy fresh flowers in the house and I have a nice collection of vases new and old. Zinnias do lack aroma (my cats disagree) but being so prolific I don't know of a better flower that can be cut hard and still enjoyable in the garden all season long.

Wes : Its hard to believe my wedding presents are collectables now. I imagine you have some really great decore.

ge1836 said:Wes : Its hard to believe my wedding presents are collectables now. I imagine you have some really great decore.

I was thinking the same thing! (I just wish someone had given me the mixing bowls where every one is a different color, instead of the orangish ones that I have and still use... )

Why don't I ever think to buy cool-looking old vases ?? (half the time my poor flowers end up stuck into Mason jars!) One more thing to put on my to-do list!

Here is a tip for inexpensive vases.
I usually take a small boquet from the garden when I visit friends. I say the vase is a "one way" vase and dont concerne myself with returning it.
I go to "The Dollar Store " and but a dozen Libby drinking glasses for eight dollars. They maks a great vase for a small arrangement.

ge1836 said:Wes : Its hard to believe my wedding presents are collectables now. I imagine you have some really great decore.

That is funny!

My mom hated the green Charm dishes that I covet. I think the newspapers were dated 1961? My grandparents on dad's side both worked for Anchor Hocking back when so I acquired quite a few goodies by way of them. Glass was always a big thing in our family and I caught the bug.

As for vases though, I find lots of good ones at garage sales. I have a habit of buying them just so the entire package of fresh cut flowers is gift-able. Sometimes they find their way back for refills too. For as little as .25 to $2.00, it makes no difference. From friends, neighbors, clients to doctor's offices and bartenders (LOL). When I've got an abundance of flowers I like to gift them out.

Wes : I dont get around to sales like that so the inexpensive DollarStore glasses works best for me.
I tried to enter this idea as a tip but havnt heard anything from admin,maybe I havnt waited long enough or it was declined.

Well, I think your idea and Wes' suggestion are both good ideas, and also kind things to do!

ge1836 said:Wes : I dont get around to sales like that so the inexpensive DollarStore glasses works best for me.
I tried to enter this idea as a tip but havnt heard anything from admin,maybe I havnt waited long enough or it was declined.

Jo Ann, I completely agree with using drinking glasses and mason jars as also mentioned, especially with zinnias. The first top blooms are long and leggy and oh so easy to snip because you know what's backing them up. Cuttings tend to get shorter to avoid cutting off new buds. I've studied vases for a number of years, and yeah, it took awhile to sink in. Short vases with wide mouths exist to accommodate these later cuttings. Seems like you can always find on good centerpiece or sacrifice a bud or two to make one. I strip a lot of leaves but I like to leave some for adjustments in an arrangement. Florists use foam, we use leaves.

Horrible pictures in bad lighting so they're going to be small. One focused on a cool late 1950's glass and another featuring my P&J 1890's hand-blown "matching" Northwoods. I actually needed a tad more leaf matter in the older vases but I'd already stripped stems outside. The short drinking glass (8 oz. to the top) has a better spread at it's mouth and an interesting observation.

I've got at least 50 various drinking glasses of that era in this size and 2 dozen wider, taller. A Coke was what, 10oz.? So if you filled the 8oz. glass with ice, 2 Cokes? Now you buy a liter at the gas station. 3x the product for a basic purchase. "You're going to need a bigger glass". Hmmm.

I'll do some better shots of zinnias in drinking glasses and these antique vases. Daylight makes a world of difference, blacklight turns that world upside down!

Hopefully worth a view. Midnight, living room, artificial light...

Wes ,They look great.

And I do like those matching vases!

Finally blooms from spring sown seeds
Lavender Queen



Pink Senorita

I have grown several varieties of zinnias. One of my favorites is called Whirligig.



The Whirligig strain contains many two-color and even some three-color combinations.



The Whirligig zinnias contain a mixture of dozens of different color combinations and I plan to grow a lot more of them next year. They aren't all "good" according to my taste, and I do cull and pull out the ones that I don't like, to make more room for the ones that I do like.

ZM

Welcome to ATP ZenMan. I just started a fascination with zinnias and will ad Whirligig to my list for next season.
Are they tall?