I’ve enjoying putting flowers in containers, such as vintage mason jars and milk bottles, now that my zinnias are flourishing. I’ve arranged our table and given my neighbors bouquets.
In order to possibly encourage you to cut (or purchase) some fresh flowers and arrange them for your family and friends, I wanted to share a few zinnia flower arrangements with you.
I’m not a pro by any means; I simply learnt and got better over time by actually arranging flowers in a variety of vases.
Arranging Flowers in a Vase or Jar:
I delicately place each stem between my pointer and thumb to remove the leaves, then I slowly move down the step until all the leaves are gone.
As I pick the blooms, I place them in a water-filled cup or container. I bring the flowers inside (where it is cooler) once I have enough picked (enough for a flower arrangement).
I place the vase or jar at the edge of the table, and then I hold each flower with the excess stem dangling below the counter, next to the vase or jar. It demonstrates where I should cut the stem. To put it another way, I know precisely where to trim each stem to make each bloom the ideal height in the vase. I made the flowers in the middle a little taller and the blooms around the outside a little shorter. As a result, the bouquet appears somewhat doomed. I keep fiddling with it until all the blooms are in their proper places. Once there are multiple flowers in the vase, it becomes a little simpler. Each bloom starts to be secured by its stem. To avoid damaging the real blossoms, try to avoid touching them too much. To make the blossoms remain longer, you can add Sprite or even a little sugar to the water.
One of those things benefits from practice and experimenting is this. There is no right or wrong approach, and the result will be lovely since all flowers are.
Some Additional Ideas for Flower Arrangements:
Containers, vases, and jars:
Make use of various vases, mason jars, old milk bottles, or other containers. The arrangement below is in a vintage mason jar, and the jar’s neck is wrapped with jute twine.
The arrangement in the old milk bottle below has jute string wrapped around the neck.
Ribbon:
Wrap the vase or jar in ribbon. Jute twine is my preferred choice. I occasionally wrap several ribbons around a vase. Be imaginative!
Here is an illustration of how to use several ribbons (this is obviously not zinnias but faux cotton.)
Table runners, cloth, and burlap:
I place various table runners, burlap (my fave), or fabric that I have trimmed and layered underneath the vase or bottle. Two medium-sized vintage milk bottles, two small-sized vintage milk bottles, and a vintage mason jar are used in this tablescape. Although the textiles are different, the layout is the same. I traced and cut circles from waste fabric using various plates, bowls, and cups. Fat quarters are also useful for this. For this kind of item, I often have a variety of fat quarters in my stash. Pinking shears are what I use to cut the fabric.
Below is a photo of a patriotic floral arrangement that demonstrates how adding color by stacking spare cloth (burlap in the middle). It serves as an illustration of the use of several ribbon types.
You can buy recently cut flowers or grow your own flowers. Freshly cut flowers are my favorite, and I hope you do too!
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How should zinnias be cared for in a vase?
Change the water in the zinnia vase every two to three days to encourage long vase life. The vase should then be taken out after being checked for bacterial growth. Just as clean as when you first assembled your zinnia arrangement, your vase should be. Refill the container with warm water once more while adding commercial or home-made floral preservative.
To encourage hydration and stop sap loss, recut the stems of the zinnias on an angle and scald them once more before placing them back in the vase. Take off any wilted or otherwise unappealing foliage beneath the blooms. Remove any wilted flowers as well so that water can be directed to vibrant blooming.
Before your zinnias can no longer be revived, you should be able to change the water a couple of times. Go outside once they have finished and cut a fresh bouquet of zinnias. You may take advantage of freshly cut zinnia bouquets all during the blooming season with the right upkeep and care.
What does the zinnia represent?
Zinnia has a variety of meanings, but the most common ones are friendship, fortitude, everyday memory, goodness, and enduring love.
Zinnia’s Victorian connotation refers to memories of a buddy who is not present or who you haven’t seen in a while.
Zinnias are a hardy flower! It is also appropriate that their symbolism has developed over time to represent persistence in many forms, including spontaneous endurance, since zinnias persist and continue to blossom from youth to old age.
Additionally, zinnias represent a “joyous endurance. They never fail to produce vivid, lovely blossoms despite the stifling summer heat and really any other difficulties it faces, such drought and bugs!
What flowers complement zinnias well?
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The sunflower tribe includes the genus of plants known as zinnias. It is grown all the way down to South America and is highly well-liked there. In other regions of Mexico, the zinnia is also highly varied.
The plant’s long-stemmed, distant-growing blossoms are possibly its most well-known feature. There are many various colors that are available for them. The plant bears Johann Zinn’s name, a well-known botanist.
The zinnia is frequently recognized as the summer garden flower that works the hardest. You should choose plants for your garden that have three major characteristics during the summer.
Your plants should be drought- and heat-tolerant and have vibrant colors. Additionally, you’ll want to reduce the amount of work necessary to develop the plant because many people have major maintenance concerns.
The zinnia enjoys working exceedingly quickly. One of the simplest flowers to grow is this one. Before you begin to grow it, you don’t even need to worry about preparing the soil all that much.
But the zinnia prefers a little bit of well-drained soil to flourish in. It can thrive anywhere that receives a sufficient amount of heat. However, you don’t need to be concerned about your garden’s zinnia growing by itself.
The zinnia can be grown with many different kinds of plants. Here are just a few examples of the numerous plants you can grow alongside zinnias.
Why droop zinnias?
Zinnias require a lot of water to thrive, thus one of the first indications that plants are under drought stress is drooping and wilting leaves.
If the weather is hot and dry, zinnias may require up to two inches of water every week. Maintain moisture in the soil six inches down. To keep the tall plant firmly rooted in the earth, the plant’s roots spread out deeply.
Zinnias should be grown in containers that are 10 to 12 inches deep. The container will restrict the water-absorbing roots’ lateral expansion, therefore the generous depth will give them enough of room to grow downward.
Don’t use black liner pots either. Your zinnias are more prone to wilt on a hot day because the color black absorbs heat, makes the soil heated, and causes moisture to evaporate more quickly.
Instead, use a light-colored container or encase the black liner pot within a light-colored decorative pot to reflect the sun rather than absorb heat. On a hot day, a wooden planter will protect the liner pot and maintain a cooler soil temperature.
Zinnias need to be watered several times a week during the summer to keep them from wilting. Avoid drowning your plants in water or soaking the soil, since this will make them more susceptible to disease.
Does zinnia pruning encourage growth?
It’s crucial to clip your zinnia blooms as they appear to ensure that they continue to grow and bloom. 12 Zinnia plants were planted by me at the start of the summer. I probably cut more than 200 to 300 zinnia blossoms from these bushes over the course of the summer. It was great to watch them develop further!
Here are a few recommendations for flower cutting:
- Make sure the bloom is prepared to be cut by inspecting the stem. Take hold of the stem above the intended cutting point and shake the flower a little. Give the stem a few more days if it feels flimsy; it has to be strong and devoid of any give.
- To cut, cut just above the leaves as seen in the image above, following the stem as closely as you can to the main stem of the plant or where it joins another stem.
How are zinnias kept upright?
You might be unsure of the proper method for staking zinnias. The simplest approach uses a stake for each plant. Since a sizable portion of the bottom must be buried in the ground, use solid stakes that are longer than you anticipate the zinnia to grow to at maturity. Tomato stakes and wire cages are further alternatives.
Just a few weeks after they begin their development spurt, or when they are one-third their maturity size, the stems of exceptionally tall zinnia cultivars should be staked.
Stakes should be inserted closely to the plant stem to avoid damaging the roots. When staking zinnias, make sure the stakes are well embedded in the earth. Then, using a supple material like twine, secure the zinnias to the stakes.
What type of foliage complements zinnias?
It makes logical to plant basil and tomatoes together in the garden since they are frequently used in culinary combinations. While you’re about it, plant a few zinnias nearby to provide the bees that are already visiting the basil blooms another place to land.
Both in the outdoors and in vases, zinnias and basil are lovely plant combos. A bouquet of lovely blooms that will enliven any kitchen counter or table is created by combining the vibrant colors of zinnia with the delicate white blossoms of basil.
Are zinnias used by florists?
One of the few gateway flowers that started me down the path of cultivating cut flowers was the zinnia. You would be aware that when I first started producing veggies, I exclusively grew flowers for companion planting if you had read any of my previous writings. If you haven’t been following my previous blog postings (and who wouldn’t? ), I’ll explain. Here is a brief summary:
I had made an effort to focus on cultivating flowers that would assist my veggies in some way, whether it be medicinal, gastronomic, or through partner planting (if you want to know my top five flowers to grow in your vegetable garden read my blog here). (I know, it’s like you don’t even know me!) Fresh flowers weren’t a top concern. With the exception of their potential usefulness to pollinators, zinnias weren’t really on the list. Since I’ve always adored the zinnias in my in-garden, law’s I couldn’t help but buy that Burpee packet of zinnias.
Let me also tell you. I bought that zinnia seed packet really late in July. Do you recognize the bravery in that? possibly the idiocy. When someone informed me it was too late, I assumed they were probably correct, but what could it hurt for a few dollars? I had a lucky year. It also gave me the impression that cultivating zinnias would be simple going forward. They ought to be simple. They grow quickly, can be planted directly, and aren’t as voracious as some other flowers. Yes, it’s simple. they were in their first year! Man, I picked those folks up till November of that particular year. That small arrangement of salvia, marigolds, zinnias, and snippets of calendula inspired me.
Yes, I’ll demonstrate that configuration once more. I received a fistful of flowers in a vase from my sister-in-law who had delivered flowers for my birthday a few months earlier. She gave me some flowers and a straightforward hourglass vase, which I treasured. Her gift had changed that frigid November night into something different. My life changed and became something new. It was those zinnias.
It’s crazy! It always astounds me how much the flowers and I have changed when I go down memory lane with the flowers.
Even though I adored zinnias that year, I had grown to dislike them over the previous few years. True, it’s crazy! Who could be against simple-to-grow, prolific flowers? Me. The three flowers cosmos, sunflowers, and zinnias are listed as the basic package for a flower farmer when you search “start flower farming” on Google. Foolproof. Not earwig and frost proof, that is.
We have seen early and then late frosts during the past few years. Even when planting zinnias outside while according to the Carson Valley golden rule for tomatoes (for those unfamiliar with our local regulations, plant after Carson Valley days). My poor zinnias were still stunted, purple, or blackened by it. The earwigs chewed, nibbled, and eventually scarfed down the ones that did live. The earwigs proceeded to eat their petals after the sad few that passed that test. I obviously didn’t have as many zinnias as I had hoped.
I was annoyed. Heartbroken. I was prepared to give up on the zinnias, but Graham persisted in reassuring me that they would be worthwhile with a little perseverance and good fortune.
I have lovely zinnias this year! It was the magnificent queen lime series, not just ordinary zinnias. I can only grow so many different kinds because to my restricted space, so I just grow what I enjoy (and I hope you do too!). Some cultivators adore the queen lime varieties, while others don’t. It’s me, camp love. Each flower is unique and has lovely coloration that occasionally even seems vintage! Additionally, I can never have enough flowers that serve as a unifying element in my design work. These “bridge” colors provide a pleasing flow and bridge the gap between other hues that would otherwise be glaring. I have to admit that this year, “Queen Lime Orange,” with her sherbet-colored designs, has definitely won my heart.
Enough with the philosophical ramblings. Talk about zinnias now. Like the majority of our favorite heat-loving flowers, zinnias are native to Mexico. This explains why they dislike frosts but thrive in our summer heat. The Aztecs raised zinnia plants. Not shocking. The Aztecs were masters at cultivating and raising a wide variety of favored crops (like amaranth and tomatillos). Eventually, zinnias were introduced to Europe, where they received the name we now use for them—Professor Zinn, a botanist.
So how do you raise these gorgeous plants? This section is really simple. Prior to the last frost in your area (about four weeks), you can start them indoors. You can direct seed them in the garden after the last frost. Sow new seeds every four weeks for a constant summer crop. Pro tip: don’t let them get root bound if you want those fluffy double zinnias instead of those nasty singles! Is the weather not permitting you to plant outside? Boost them. It will be rewarding.
Zinnias enjoy direct sunlight because they enjoy the heat! Plant in well-draining soil and use drip irrigation for optimal results. Powdery mildew and rust are only a couple of the diseases that can be brought on by overhead spraying. Ick. Beware of my enemies, the earwigs, and ravenous caterpillars! They will chomp those delicate seedlings to the ground, especially. Just seed again if they are indeed devoured! What do you have to lose? You will win in the end! Read my Nitty Gritty blogs on Battling Earwigs and Natural Pest Control Part I and Part II to discover how to get rid of different pests organically.
Zinnia harvesting can be a little challenging. Harvest early in the morning, and do the “wiggle test,” to prevent them from falling limp on you one hour after harvest.
This wiggling test is what? A rain dance of some sort? Not exactly. When doing the wiggle test, carefully grab the zinnia about midway down the stem and shake it back and forth. The zinnia is not ripe for harvest if the neck flops. Harvest the zinnia if its neck is rigid. When zinnias are harvested too early, the outcome is limp, lifeless blossoms. Be patient, then!
Another picky flower that doesn’t like using store-bought flower food is the zinnia. They are also regarded as “dirty flowers” since their hairy stems quickly make the water smelly, thus placing them in plain water isn’t the best option. The amount of germs can be reduced by adding a tablet of CVBN or a splash of bleach to the container. You may also prepare your own flower food at home by using this recipe, which I prefer.
Zinnias should last around five days in a vase with adequate care. The wonderful thing about zinnias is that they bloom more the more you cut them! Therefore, be sure to routinely deadhead or trim away. Don’t be afraid to cut deeply from the plant for the optimum stem lengths during the entire growing season. You will acquire more useful stems the deeper the incision. Your forearm’s length approximately constitutes a nice length. I know, it sounds scary. Try it; you won’t regret it!
Although zinnias are lovely, I wouldn’t suggest using them for boutonnieres or corsages. Use the unopened bud or insert a damp cotton ball into their hollow stem if you must have them. These guys hate being left without water!
I hope you incorporate a few of these lovely blossoms into your cutting garden now that summer is just around the corner!
The Lowdown:
Seeds can be directly sown after the last frost or started 4 weeks beforehand; germination takes 3–7 days. To improve the yield of fluffy doubles, avoid letting the plants get root-bound.
Every three to four weeks, we sow a succession; we try for a minimum of two, and three if we can.
Extremely sensitive to frost; if your region frequently experiences late frosts (like ours! ), plant beneath a double row cover or at the very least, frost cloth. In our region, we start planting in early May.
Plant Spacing: 6–9 (we suggest 8); take note that disease may spread more readily the closer the spacing.
It is possible for seemingly healthy zinnias to be picked and turn to mush within 24 hours due to a certain bacteria. A CVBN pill might be useful. Holding zinnias for at least 24 hours after harvest will help to prevent zinnia meltdown.
Pests include grasshoppers, cucumber beetles, Japanese beetles, earwigs, blister beetles, aphids, mites, and spider mites. be vulnerable to harmful nematodes.
Storage: Does not keep well in a refrigerator below 45 degrees F. (like most warm loving flowers). Maximum storage time is 5 days; we personally never keep anything more than 2 days.
Our must-have varieties include the Queen Lime series (all of them! Red, orange, blotchy, and lime). (Especially ivory and salmon, love!) Oklahoma series Persian carpet and Aztec burgundy are the cutest small button filler flowers.
Harvest: Do the wiggle test and pick early in the morning if possible! Avoid using commercial flower food and choose CVBN tablets instead.