You Grow Girl™

I sought seeds for this colorful and diminutive zinnia as a counterpoint to last year’s over sized zinnia disaster.

Back then, I bought the seeds for a variety called ‘Pastel Dreams’ entirely on the fact that it was described as powdery mildew resistant, but neglected to look at the size dimensions listed on the package. I was expecting your average zinnia but ended up with a monster plant that exceeded the listed height (5 feet) and grew to be several inches taller than me.

This year I decided to go with the smallest zinnia I could find. And this is it. ‘Red Spider’ is said to grow no taller than 30 inches and mine have stayed well below size so far. This is the first bloom from the seedlings I planted at my community garden plot. I look forward to more, possibly even enough to bring some back for a vase that can sit on my desk.

Another plant from Barry’s garden. He had this one growing in a large green pot and sitting on a table with other orange-themed plants.

I think it might be time for me to publicly recant every bad thing I have ever said about begonias in the past. Especially now that I am in love with tuberous begonias and have been growing a few of my own for years. I love the soft orange flowers and deep orange veining in the leaves of this type.

I’m sorry begonias of the world. You are not all ugly little plants destined for a cheap public parks garden in the shape of a maple leaf. Or giant clock. Or a giant clock backed by a giant maple leaf.