August 29, 2017

Favorites August 2017

More fun with Annuals.

These are Pinwheel Zinnias–small and ranking high on the adorable scale. Zinnias are part of the daisy/aster family and are native to Mexico and Central America. They withstand heat, drought, and can be directly seeded so are considered an awesome low-maintenance flower for any kind of gardener.

I used to think Zinnias were boring, a little too loud and indelicate, like wearing excessive makeup to a picnic. They were one of the few flowers my mother grew in the farm garden, I’m guessing she loved them because they were easy to grow and produced a lot of color without being fussy (having five daughters she was likely inundated with fussy). Perhaps they became too familiar to me—not exotic, not intriguing, not subtle. We tend to take for granted things which we are around, we think we fully understand then we cease to see the mystery.

But now, decades later, I love Zinnias. Now I love the fact that they are easy to grow and are hearty in all weather. I love that I can enjoy cheery cut flowers in the kitchen all summer, and that they are bright and bold. I love that there are so many different varieties, shapes and colors. I love that the little ones love them—there is a constant hum of butterflies, bees and other curious looking bugs with wings around the flower bed. I hear hummingbirds like them too but I have not yet seen one. And last but not least I love that the Zinnias remind me of my mother.

Funny how we eventually come around.

Enjoy the Summer Beauty while it’s here….it will soon be time to move on to some other kind of Beauty.