What's In Bloom: Zinnias

Right now I feel like a catfish in a skillet of hot oil.  The thermometer read 103 this afternoon, and the humidity is awful.

But despite it all, these humble flowers in my backyard remain fresh and happy looking.

I've grown zinnias for years now.  The pop up and thrive in the worst of DC's southern heat waves.  But I've never had them look as beautiful as they do this year, and I think I know why.

This year I had no time to start seedlings under lights in the basement.  We were digging out after our huge construction and renovation project which was completed in March, and I was desperate to get my garden back in shape.  Money for things like expensive annuals was also scarce.  So, my kids and I did as much direct seed planting as possible.  And now I know:  direct seeding zinnias is the way to go, because the seeds I sprinkled so casually with my kids in the garden have become absolute show stoppers, in even a my big, perennial-rich garden beds.  (The chicken wire in the background of this picture protects our vegetable garden which is also doing well despite the heat...  most of THAT was direct seeded too.)

Sorting through the box of seed packets which I saved after planting in May, I see that we paid $1.89 for the Cut and Come Again variety of zinnias from the Botanical Interests Company and $1.59 for the ones known as Button Box from Lake Valley Seeds.  I think I bought them both at the hardware store.  In return, we receive visits everyday from amazing butterflies, and the birds are going crazy for the seeds and petals on each bloom.  The colors of the flowers mix with the colors of the goldfinches, to produce the most amazing view every evening -- extremely refreshing when the rest of the DC feels like a sticky fry up.