Red Dirt Ramblings®

Firmly rooted in the Oklahoma soil

My zinnia plan for this year

I see you laughing at this title, but a zinnia plan is what it will take to incorporate so many different varieties in my garden this year.

I have 32 packets of seeds. Some hold zinnia blends, but still, you could ask…

zinnia plan
‘Benary’s Giant Coral’ zinnia from last summer. Although I didn’t order it separately this year, I bet there will be some in the ‘Benary’s Giants’ mix.

Why so many zinnias?

Last summer, I was overcome by the new varieties flower farmers are hybridizing. I already tried new zinnia colors last fall like these from Milk and Honey Acreage. Now, I’ve bought so many I need to implement a zinnia plan.

Zinnia plan
The pastel zinnias I grew from Milk and Honey Acreage were a delight. I grew them in the kitchen border. They did have some mildew problems, but I didn’t care.

Will I incorporate all 32 packets of seeds into my zinnia plan?

No, I probably won’t grow 32 different packets of seed, but who knows. Gardening is supposed to be fun, and one of the ways I continue to enjoy my hobby and craft is to do different things each year.

I’m also planting all the sweetest varieties of cherry tomato seeds to wow my granddaughter who loves them.

My zinnia plan
‘Oklahoma Pink’ zinnias
Oklahoma Pink zinnias mixed with Verbena bonariensis. This pink and purple combination is a classic. I think I’ll replant it this year.
Another shot of ‘Oklahoma Pink’ zinnias.
New zinnias
See the shading on ‘Oklahoma Pink’ zinnias? That, and they’re powdery mildew resistant.
Creating swathes of color
‘Oklahoma Salmon’ zinnias create swathes of color in the garden.
Zinnia ‘Oklahoma Scarlet’ is an intense red. I like ‘Oklahoma Carmine’ better.
‘Oklahoma Pink’ and ‘Oklahoma Purple’ zinnias.

Although the Oklahoma zinnia clan will always have my heart because of their fantastic mildew resistance and bright, cherry faces, I am branching out with this year’s zinnia plan.

Last year, I bought and grew a lot of new zinnias, and this year is no different. I like zinnias for their easy garden ways. In full sun and well-drained soil, they grow and flower without much fuss. It’s simple to grow these summer flowers directly from seed. Some varieties are more mildew-prone than others, but if you’re worried about mildew, try the ‘Oklahoma’ series.

Their ability to attract pollinators makes me happy too.

Monarch butterfly on ‘Will Rogers’ zinnias. ‘Will Rogers’ is a nice bright clear red if that’s what you’re wanting.

A new creamy color palette is part of my zinnia plan.

Inspired by this Instagram post by Barb Merchant from Windfall Flowers last August, I went a little nuts for pale lemon-yellow and creamy white zinnias. This is a completely new color palette for me. I went online and found all of the varieties in that post. Having so many new seeds is a beautiful problem to have.

I plan to not only grow the zinnias in my garden beds facing the street and in the cut flower garden beds but to also place them anywhere I need to plug a garden hole in full sun. Instead of going out and buying a bunch of plants, I’m going to plant zinnias there. I believe it will look fabulous, but only time with tell.

I planned to sow all of my zinnias outdoors–the best way–but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll start a few indoors to plug in here and there.

Gardening musing on white zinnias from Milk and Honey Acreage.
White zinnias from Milk and Honey Acreage made me smile last September when I plugged them into various garden holes.

I’ll pinch them off to get them bushier before I place them outside though. I fear if I don’t start a few indoors, they won’t be big enough to compete with the perennials when I place them in the perennial borders.

This blog is a record of what I plant.

Here’s a list of what seeds I have and where I purchased them. I had to purchase from several places to get the colors and types I wanted. I also bought from flower farmers to support them.

Johnny’s Selected Seeds

  • ‘Oklahoma Ivory’. (to go in my yellow, cream and white mix)
  • ‘Oklahoma Carmine’ is one of my favorite shades of the Oklahoma series. I don’t like the school bus yellow so I buy separated colors.
  • ‘Oklahoma White.’
  • ‘Queeny Formula.’ I just cannot stop myself even though the Queenies are a pain to grow.
  • ‘Jim Baggett’s Choice Mix.’ A lovely mix of bright colors including orange. I’m enjoying orange zinnias especially with salmon pink.
  • ‘Benary’s Giants.’ My friend, Ladybug Lane Flower Farm, knows zinnias, and the only way to get certain colors is to plant this mix.
  • ‘Benary’s Giant Deep Red.’
  • ‘Benary’s Giant Golden Yellow.’ It’s a softer shade than school bus yellow.
  • ‘Oklahoma Salmon.’ It just wouldn’t be an Oklahoma summer without this shade. Remember, the Oklahoma series is very mildew-resistant.
Zinnia ‘Queeny Lime’ in my garden in 2019.
‘Queen Lime Orange’ zinnia.
new zinnias
A very yellow flower from last year’s Queeny Lime Mix.
New zinnias
Queeny Lime Mix zinnia
Zinnia 'Queen Red Lime,' which is one of my favorites. Rain.
Zinnia ‘Queen Red Lime,’ which is one of my favorites.
Zinnia 'Queen Red Lime,' one of my favorites, has this crazy kind of Victorian coloration. It looks good with lots of fall-ish flowers.
Zinnia ‘Queen Red Lime,’ one of my favorites, has this crazy kind of Victorian coloration. It looks good with lots of fall-ish flowers.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

  • ‘Pink Senorita,’ a cactus type. Loveliness.
  • ‘Polar Bear.’

Swallowtail Garden Seeds

  • ‘Creamy Yellow Giant.’
  • ‘Oriole.’ This is from last year so it really doesn’t count. I probably won’t grow it again. It was just OK.
Oriole zinnias in my cut flower garden
‘Oriole’ zinnias.

Eden Bros

  • ‘Isabellina.’ Pale yellow.
  • ‘Cupcakes Pink.’
  • ‘Meteor Shower.’ I dearly loved this mix last year. The central petals turn inward looking like a meteor shower or fireworks.
Zinnia plan
‘Meteor Shower Mix’ zinnias were simply splendid in last summer’s garden.

Milk and Honey Acreage

  • ‘Icicles Cactus.’
  • ‘Sunset Mix.’
  • ‘Pink and Yellow Mix’
  • Pretty in Pink Mix’
  • ‘A la Mode.’
  • ‘Pastel Lilacs.’
  • ‘Over the Rainbow’ fundraiser.
  • ‘Spun Sugar Cactus.’
  • ‘Giant Salmon.’

Now that I went through my seeds in my seed keeper binders, I see that although there are 32 packets of seeds, there are a lot of repeats especially of ‘Oklahoma Salmon.’ It’s a good thing zinnia seeds stay viable for a while.

Gulf Fritillary on 'Oklahoma Salmon' zinnias. I think I'll grow these with Zinderella Peach zinnias next year. Wouldn't that be fun?
Male Gulf Fritillary on ‘Oklahoma Salmon’ zinnias.

The zinnia plan calls for warmer weather.

I almost can’t wait to implement my zinnia plan, but I need warmer weather. Don’t forget that central Oklahoma’s last freeze date is usually around April 20 so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

In the meantime, I’m going outside to plant sweet pea seeds I’ve had soaking in my kitchen bowls for a couple of days. Doing that and sowing a few lettuces and other lovelies helps while we wait.

I love to hear whether you’re going to plant any zinnias seeds this year. I’d encourage you to do it because nothing makes a gardener happier than a bunch of flowers that bloom all summer long if you deadhead them.

Outside my kitchen door, a bird is singing his heart out this morning so surely that’s a sign. Come on spring, hurry up!

zinnia plan

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous

    Last year was my first year of growing them and I loved them! Ithey bloomed all summer till cold weather! saved some seeds but never tried growing from seeds, any tips? I’m in zone 6b sw virginia.

  2. Susan

    I only purchased zinnia seeds last year for the first time before that I’ve always saved the previous year seeds. This year I have a ton of seeds from the ones that I’ve saved from last summer’s bloom. They are the easiest seeds ever to save.

    • Dee Nash

      Hi Susan, they are truly easy. I like growing specific varieties which is why I buy new each year. However, you definitely don’t have to. Have fun. ~~Dee

    • Dee Nash

      Hi Carol, you’re so welcome! The Oklahoma series was selected especially for its disease resistance. Only later did they realize how beautiful some of the colors are. ~~Dee

  4. Anonymous

    Okay, first, love zinnias! But what just popped out at me was “sweet pea seeds”. Do you mean sweet pea flowers or edible sweet peas like sugar snaps?

  5. Katie @Dishin & Dishes

    Zinnias are my obsessive buy. One combo I love to plant together is the Polar Bear, Envy, and Purple Prince. I saw that in a garden somewhere and have loved it. Another favorite is hot, pink and orange and white. I didn’t realize the Oklahoma series was mildew resistant, so that is some great information to know! I have problems with that every year!

    • Dee Nash

      Hey Katie! I’m excited about yoru first combo. How beautiful! I do love hot pink, orange and white too. In fact, I did a whole post last summer about my coral color crush. I was simply mad for it. Mildew is always a problem, but the Oklahoma series is one of the most resistant. Have a beautiful week!~~Dee

  7. Anonymous

    I can’t wait for all the zinnias this year! I have a lot of saved seeds from previous years to plant as well as some new varieties to try. Zinnias have long been my favorite for cheaply filling holes in my perennial beds and also for my kids to get to cut and make their own fresh bouquets every week in the summer.

  8. Nancy

    I had 13 packets of zinnia seeds and yesterday I ordered two more mixes from the Floret sale. My space is somewhat limited and I am 78 years old, but I can’t resist growing these beautiful flowers. And I do love the Oklahoma series.

  9. Anonymous

    Zinnias are part of my garden every year. Cheery, easy to grow, and great for the vases. I just purchased some seed from Floret because she has some of the loveliest colors! I’m itching to see them!

    • Dee Nash

      She does have some beautiful ones. I just couldn’t make myself pay her prices, but I see why others did. Of course, I had no excuse because I have 32 packets. LOL. ~~Dee

  10. Anonymous

    I think it is a lovely plan! I love to succession plant for new blooms and color varieties all summer long!

  11. Anonymous

    I’m a zinnia lover too, especially Oklahoma Salmon, which I learned from you! Last year, I tried so many varieties, but this year I’m on a new tack. I’m only growing Oklahoma Salmon and White. That’s it! Well, not counting Cut and Come Again, which are mandatory in my veggie garden. I have a recommendation for you, try Canary some time. I was afraid it would be a gaudy bright school bus yellow, but they were delightful and full of flowers over long months.