Viewing comments posted by BookerC1

These were a beautiful addition to my cutting garden. They are a deep, clear red that does not fade, and were usually covered with butterflies. I suggest pinching the plants before they begin to bloom, to promote bushy growth. Cut lots for bouquets and deadhead regularly, as they seem to bloom more prolifically the more you cut! Zinnias are an excellent candidates for seed-saving.

I was a little disappointed in these. They had very interesting ruffly, pom-pom shaped blooms, unlike most Gaillardia. However, the stems were fairly weak, so they tended to droop and face downward. They were pretty battered after the first windy rainstorm, too. Not sure I'll grow these again.

This is a butterfly nectar plant, and is a great addition to any butterfly garden. Very easy to grow, either sown in situ or by the wintersowing method.

Also sometimes known as Ox-Eye False Sunflower

Very dramatic specimen plant! It grows 3-5 feet tall, and produces long, drooping tassel-like flowers that will sometimes extend from the very top of the plant to the ground. Easy to grow from seed if you sow it in place, and drought tolerant. This one will be a conversation-starter, so plant it somewhere conspicuous!

Attractive mounding habit. Gray-green foliage, mix of lavender, purple, and pink blooms. Very sweet scent. Easy to grow, and can be started in flats indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost for earlier bloom. Transplants well. Has self-seeded a little in my garden, but not reliably.

This is a very compact zinnia, great for the front of the border. Pinch back to promote bushier growth, and deadhead regularly to extend the bloom season.

I have been successful in saving seed from this plant. The seedheads themselves are attractive; they are long, slender pods that spring open when squeezed gently. It has also self-sowed moderately, staying in the same location and not spreading elsewhere in my beds.

These are very tall, showy plants, with long whiskery-looking spikes extending all around the flower heads, which undoubtedly earned it the common name "Spider Flower."

Drought tolerant. Maintains its color intensity even in hot areas where other annuals fade or fail entirely. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil. Water regularly and use water-soluble fertilizer.

Very colorful and drought-resistant. I'd encourage frequent cutting for use in summer arrangements, since it seems like the more you cut it, the more it blooms! At the least, deadhead the spent blooms to encourage repeat blooming.

From Park Seeds:

Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. After seedlings form 4 true leaves, transplant to 2 to 2-1/2 inch pots. After last frost, place seedlings outdoors to harden off for 2-3 days. Plant into the garden 12-18 inches apart and water well. May also be planted into a large pot for use as a houseplant or greenhouse plant.

Flourishes in full sun -- and although it will grow and bloom in a bit of shade, the stems may be weaker, causing them to flop beneath the heavy weight of those seed-filled cones. It is very adaptable to different soils, stands up to pests and diseases beautifully, and boasts a certain amount of deer resistance. It naturalizes readily and makes a fine companion to just about every other perennial flowering plant.

To dry the flowers, simply cut the stem as close to the base as you can, remove any foliage, and hang upside-down in a well-ventilated, dry location for several weeks. Zones 3-9.

Very prolific bloomer, with 30-60 small, very double flowers on each plant. Blooms concurrently with iris and peonies in my central Illinois garden. These have reliably returned, though I have not seen any evidence of self-sowing, unlike some of my other columbine, leading me to believe they are sterile.

Information from Chocolate Flower Farm seeds:
Outdoors: For best results, sow seed in ground in early summer. Seeds started in early spring or started indoors early tend to lose their perennial habit and are more susceptible to disease. May also sow in late summer or early fall for bloom the next season

Indoors: Sow 6-8 weeks before last average day of frost (to treat as an annual that blooms the first season.) Seed requires light to germinate. Press lightly into soil surface and keep moist.

Information from Chocolate Flower Farms seeds:
Sow in February to March, or September to October. Sow seed on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Keep at a constant temperature of between 15-20 C (59-68 F). After sowing, do not exclude light, as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged. Germination will usually take place within 10-21 days. Take care not to provide too high a temperature, as this can prevent germination.

When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 7.5 cm. (3 in) pots or trays. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out, after all risk of frost has passed. Plant 15-23 cm (6-9 in.) apart, or plant into baskets or containers. For best results, provide a light, well-drained soil in full sun.

Overwinter September sowings in a coldframe, then plant out the following spring. Spring sowings will give flowers during early summer, while autumn sowings will bloom the following spring.

Drought tolerant, and long blooming. Instructions with seeds say it prefers to be planted outdoors in its permanent location, but can be started indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost if you have previously had problems with birds eating the seeds.

Information from Chocolate Flower Farm seeds:
Supremely different from other Sweet Williams, with fragrant blooms of deepest maroon-black on red stems and mid-green foliage which matures to metallic mahogany. An excellent cut flower and border plant.

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or sow outdoors in spring to summer. Barely cover seeds. Thin sprouts to 6" apart. Full sun. Hardy in zones 3-9.

Information from Chocolate Flower Farm seeds:
Golden-yellow flowers with brown/green centers have a delicious chocolate fragrance, especially in the morning. Drought tolerant Southwest native. Attracts butterflies, beneficial insects, and chocolate lovers to your garden. Seed heads are attractive in dried arrangements. Also called Chocolate Daisy and Green Eyes (because centers are green when flowers temporarily droop in afternoon heat.)

Sow outside in spring after average frost when soil temperatures are warm.

Sow inside 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Barely cover the seeds. Germinates in 2-3 weeks at 65-70 degrees. Hardy in zones 5-10.

The description on my plant tag, from Donahue's Clematis, reads:
The 2" bell-shaped flowers are intense deep blue/purple with lighter blue recurved petals. Flowers fade to indigo blue. Blooms June-September. Shade roots to keep roots cool and moist."

Shade roots to keep soil cool and moist. Like many clematis, prefers its "feet in the shade and head in the sun." Blooms late May through September for me.

Water weekly during dry spells. Large, long-blooming flowers for such a compact plant. Attracts butterflies to the garden. Useful as a cut flower in summer bouquets. Seed heads are also attractive for dried everlasting arrangements. Prefers afternoon shade in hot summer regions. Avoid wet winter soils. Remove faded blooms to extend bloom.

Water weekly during dry spells. Very delicate flowers on slender stems; attracts hummingbirds to the garden. Most attractive when planted in groupings of three or more, and lovely with peonies and irises. Excellent cut flower. Trim faded flowers from the stalk for repeated bloom.