Happy Thursday, sweet friends! I hope you are enjoying your week so far. We returned yesterday from our favorite mountain getaway, where it was pleasantly cooler.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
The golden hour spotlights the zinnias in the cottage garden! I am always amazed how tiny seeds from a few packets produce all of this color!
Zinnias provide non-stop color in the summer garden! This is the sixth year we have ordered from Johnny’s seeds. This year we ordered – Aurora, Agave, Queeny Formula Mix, and Benary’s Giant Mix. This beautiful yellow is a Benary’s Giant Mix.
When a bloom (Benary Orange) begins to open, I love to grab a photo.
Aurora zinnias are two-tone blooms. I think the lime green and the splash of blush pink is so pretty! Zinnias are a perfect summer flower. They love full sun and can even withstand our hot Alabama weather!
Hummingbirds love zinnias! Butch captured this one as she was about to land, on him he thought!
We planted seeds in three different spots. This view is in a raised bed behind the main garden space!
I never cease to be amazed at the intricate design of every flower from the hand of our Creator. When fully opened, this will be a Benary’s Giant Scarlet.
I love seeing zinnias blooming in the cottage garden. They are one of summer’s most dependable flowers here in the Appalachian Foothills of NE Alabama.
For zinnias to continue blooming, deadheading is a necessity! RM (aka Butch) works tirelessly in the garden and maintaining our acreage. There is rarely a day that he rests from all the chores.
Zinnias are annuals, but some will always appear from last season. They do not like to be transplanted, but growing from seeds produces a healthy and happy crop.
Goldfinches have two flowers that attract their attention the most…sunflowers and especially zinnias. They will sit underneath a bloom and pick off the petals one by one.
Zinnias also attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The monarch butterflies visit in October, even though the zinnias are looking a little ragged by this time, the monarchs don’t seem to mind.
All but the bottom left are Benary’s Giant Mix. It is has a totally different appearance. It is called Agave and is a large cactus-flowered zinnia that comes in sunset colors. We have grown the Agaves for three years and I like how different they look, but the Head Gardener has decided they aren’t his favorite!
“A butterfly, one summer day
Spoke to me as he fluttered my way
He asked me where the flowers were
And told me which he did prefer.
I pointed where the zinnias grew
He thanked me,
and off he flew!
As I continued on my walk
I wondered, who taught him to talk!”
~Joseph May
Another view of the zinnias from the back of the garden! Do you plant zinnias or have you ever planted them?
The raised bed by our driveway seems to be the most productive for zinnias. You can see one of three crape myrtles that line our drive and hay bales in one of our pastures…a summer scene for certain, with zinnias leading the way!
My favorite view of the cottage garden is when zinnias, coneflowers, sunflowers, and the Chaste tree are all blooming simultaneously!
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with: Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Beautiful ❤️
Thank you, Janice. I hope you are doing well❤️
What a lovely display Pam! And that photo of the Hummingbird is absolutely wonderful.
I think the Agave Zinnia is so unique & quite stunning! ☺️
I hope you enjoyed your time away.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer! Our mountain getaway was perfect. I also think the Agave is stunning!🥰
I just love your garden, Pam, and especially your wonderful zinnias. Yes, I’ve tried growing them from seeds and even store bought plants, and something eats them every time! I have to just enjoy yours through your photos. I love the hummingbird and goldfinch pictures. They made me smile. Have a beautiful week in your cottage garden. ❤️
Thanks so much, Kitty. I am so sorry something eats your zinnias. Gardening is never easy! There are many things out of our control as gardeners. ❤️
Love zinnias! I grew them again this year from seedlings I purchased from a local grower. They’re doing great! I love how you have several beds of them. I can imagine the hummers and goldfinches feasting. Even when we gardeners are tired of gardening, those zinnias continue their performance. I love the photo of the crepe myrtle, hay bales and zinnias. Summer in a photo!
Rita, I am so glad that you too are enjoying zinnias this summer. Thanks so much!
My version of Jefferson’s gardening quote ,”Although and old lady, I am a young gardener!” This is our second year to plant zennias and are enjoying them so much. I appreciated you sharing the varieties you plant. Thank you! JoAnn
Thank you JoAnn. I like your version of the Jefferson quote and it fits me perfectly! You are most welcome! Zinnias keep on keeping on when everything else gives up from heat and lack of rainfall.
Your zinnias are beautiful! The cactus flower one is pretty and adds variety to a bouquet. The more traditional zinnias are my favorite, but I do love the variety in an arrangement. I usually grow zinnias but didn’t plant anything at all this year. I’m somewhat happy that I didn’t, because the heat has been so bad. I haven’t had to water anything except the porch house plants which are thriving in this humidity. I just added another planter of golden pothos from the cuttings that had gone over the original planter and onto the porch floor. I couldn’t just throw them away. I know you enjoyed your time on the mountains. It has been so brutally hot and continues to be, that a respite would be beneficial. We’re looking forward to any pictures you may want to share. I do love the hay bales and mountain in the background of your zinnias. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. You have had more rain than we have and watering is a daily chore. Your house plants on the porch sound like they are thriving.
We did enjoy our getaway and will be sharing! Stay cool❤️
Oh how I love your beautiful zinnias and Butch’s amazing photo of the hummingbird landing! A painful left knee caused me to pull back a bit in my gardening endeavors this summer. I was able to sow some zinnia seeds, but not in as many areas as I would have liked. My knee replacement surgery was on July 28 and I was thrilled to see my little patches of zinnia blooming when I came home from the hospital. I don’t have many zinnia flowers this year and am limited in my gardening endeavors as I recover, but I am going to do my best to save as much zinnia seed as I can so that next summer’s garden will be more beautiful.
Have a blessed and beautiful day!
What a happy post! The Joseph May words are so very sweet. Glad to have you back in Alabama from your North Carolina cool vacation.
Zinnias never fail to make me smile. They are one of my favorites and yes, the perfect summer flower.
My husband said after visiting your photos, “Let’s plant some seeds next year! “. We get plenty of sun! Your beds of zinnas are the best!
These flowers are so pretty. I love zinnia’s also and they do love these hot days. Thanks for sharing your pictures, enjoyed and have a blessed day.
You two are living life in full color among all those petal popping Zinnias! You sure did put me in a Zinnia state of mind!!!!
I am swooning over your zinnias! I have looked at your post three times now and will look at it again. I enjoyed all your commentary as well. Your explanations of the zinnias are such a delight to read. Your photography should be in magazines and seed catalogs. I have planted zinnias but the last few years some critter has gotten them. This year it was moles. As of now my best chance for ever having zinnias again will be in containers close to the house. I had them in AZ one year in a large planter. That was fun to have zinnias in February!
Thank you for all the Zinnia Therapy! Happy Thursday dear friend!
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Oh and the Hummingbird photo was spectacular!