Zinnias originated in Mexico as a gawky perennial. The flower
is truly timeless in its ability to win favor with the world's gardeners. It
qualifies as an "heirloom" in the truest sense
of the word - "heirloom" being defined as a plant that's been
cultivated over 50 years, the seed having been passed down over generations. The
hardy Zinnia was grown by the Aztecs! It was, over time, hybridized by breeders
around the world. The Zinnia gets its name from Johann Gottfried Zinn, an 18th
century German botanist who worked to bring us the beautiful blooming annuals
evolving into the many varieties we know and enjoy today.
There are two major classes of Zinnias. First there are the zinnias
elegans. These include all of the varieties that have a wide range of
colors (all except blue) and a variety of flower types such as singles, doubles,
cactus or dahlia type, ruffles and pompons. Zinnia elegans have been
popular with gardeners for many years and have been called youth-in-old-age as
the blossoms last so long on the plants. They blossom all summer long and are a
long lasting cut flower. The magnificent Benary Giants fall in this
class. They come in all the colors of our
Supremes
and also mixed colors; so
specify “Benary's Giant”
when you order if you want BIG.
Other Zinnia
Varieties
The zinnias angustifolia is a
smaller flowering
plant usually under 24 inches tall. Some have small daisy-like blooms in colors
of white, orange, yellow, and wine with orange. We offer certain varieties of
these as well as the Profusion series and
Persian Carpet. We also offer a lovely
dwarf Zinnia, good for growing in window boxes or other confined spaces such as
the urban balcony or window garden. Quantities are limited. Some of our mini
Zinnias produce tiny flowering plants no taller than 4-6 inches! For something
interesting, try theZ.tenuifolia or Spider Zinnia—long scarlet
petals with big brown centers. A similar small zinnia is the Spreading Zinnia,
grown in classic white,z.angustifolia
linearisor sunflower yellow,Sanvitalia
procumbens. It looks much like a yellow daisy, with bright yellow
zinnia-like petals and a big brown eye. Or if you like old-fashioned, try our Z.peruviana,
Bonita red and
Bonita yellows to fill your vases. These are also very nice for
drying! You'll find them in our Dried Flower Mixture or sold in separate
packs on the Mini Zins Product page. For the latest developments
at Van Dyke Zinnias @ Redbud Farms, stay tuned to our web site. Or log on and
send us a message via e-mail!
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*News Beams
* from
the Farm!
From time to time, we will offer web-only specials and publish
short stories about the Farm Dogs or the grandkids, and inspirations from life on the Farm in mid-Michigan, the
American heartland. Seasonally, we will write to help Gardeners grow beautiful Zinnias,
learn how to make a stunning
bouquet, or how to collect precious seed when harvest is here. Let us know
if you would like to receive them.
We have moved our web to a new server and resized all photos for faster load
times. As we approach another winter, I hope
you visit us often to see our pretty pictures and read about the simple things
we love most here. Thanks for being a
customer! -Sharon Baller, President
"To see life's
passages through the eyes of your heart is to know that all is happening exactly
as it was meant to." -- Flavia Weedn
