Monthly Archives: June 2025

Zinnias for a Riot of Summer Color

With their bright, cheerful flowers, long bloom period, and easy-going nature, Zinnias are an old-fashioned and time-honored favorite in the summer garden. These vibrant annuals, native to Mexico, come in a riot of colors, a variety of forms, and a range of sizes, making them incredibly useful in an assortment of sunny summertime settings.

Usage

Versatile zinnias have multiple uses in the garden.

Garden Beds and Borders

Zinnias are perfect for garden beds and borders, adding a splash of color and attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Here’s how they can be used:

Mixed Borders: Combine zinnias with other annuals and perennials to create a dynamic and colorful border. Their bright hues and varied heights can create layers of interest.
Themed Gardens: Zinnias are available in a range of colors, making them suitable for color-themed gardens, such as all-white, hot-colored (reds, oranges, and yellows), or pastel gardens.
Pollinator Gardens: Zinnias attract pollinators, so they can be an essential component of a pollinator-friendly garden, helping to support local ecosystems.

Containers and Window Boxes

Zinnias are excellent choices for containers and window boxes, offering vibrant displays that can be moved and rearranged as needed. They thrive in these environments with proper care:

Patio Pots: Plant zinnias in containers on patios, decks, or balconies for a burst of color and to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Window Boxes: Compact zinnia varieties, like those from the ‘Profusion’ or ‘Zahara’ series, are ideal for window boxes, providing bright, eye-level blooms.
Hanging Baskets: Some zinnia, especially shorter-stature varieties, can even be used in hanging baskets, enhancing the vertical garden.

Cutting Gardens

Zinnias are a staple in cutting gardens due to their long, sturdy stems and vibrant, long-lasting blooms. Here’s how to make the most of zinnias in a cutting garden:

Variety Selection: Choose tall varieties like ‘Benary’s Giant’ or ‘State Fair Mix’ for their large, showy blooms and long stems, perfect for floral arrangements.
Continuous Blooms: Regularly deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming, ensuring a steady supply of fresh flowers for cutting.
Arrangements: Use zinnias in mixed bouquets with other summer flowers or let them shine alone in simple, elegant arrangements.

Edging and Pathways

Zinnias can be used to line pathways or edge garden beds, providing a clear boundary and a vibrant visual guide through the garden:

Low-Growing Varieties: For edging, choose shorter varieties like ‘Lilliput Mix’ or ‘Thumbelina,’ creating a colorful border that doesn’t obstruct the view of other plants.
Pathway Borders: Plant zinnias along garden paths to guide visitors and enhance the overall aesthetic of your garden walkways.

Companion Planting

Zinnias are excellent companion plants, offering various benefits to their neighbors:

Pest Control: Zinnias attract beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings, which help control garden pests such as aphids and whiteflies.
Vegetable Gardens: Plant zinnias alongside vegetables to attract pollinators and improve crop yields. They are particularly effective when paired with tomatoes, beans, and squash.

Mass Plantings

For a dramatic and bold statement, mass plantings of zinnias can create a sea of color:

Flower Beds: Fill entire flower beds with a single variety or mix of zinnias for a cohesive, eye-catching display.
Empty Spaces: Plant zinnias in perennial gardens or flower borders to fill in the empty space after other plants have finished blooming.

Planting

One of the most alluring features of Zinnias is their easy-care nature. For earlier blooms, they can be sown directly into the garden after the last frost date or started indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Depending on the variety, seeds take 75 to 90 days to maturity and therefore may be directly sown as late as three months from the first frost date in the fall.

Choose a location with full sun, as zinnias need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily to thrive. This annual prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Amend the soil with compost if needed to improve fertility and drainage. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and space them 6-18 inches apart, depending on the variety, to ensure good air circulation and reduce the risk of disease. Provide support for tall varieties.

Care

Zinnias should be watered regularly, but avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf spot and powdery mildew. Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry. To further reduce disease, plant zinnias to allow for good air circulation. Mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed pressure. Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and prevent the plant from setting seed too early. Monitor the plants for common pests like aphids and spider mites. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestations occur.

Zinnias are a garden favorite for a reason. Their bright, cheerful blooms and low-maintenance nature make them an excellent choice for adding color and interest to summer garden beds and containers. With such a wide variety of cultivars to choose from, there is bound to be a zinnia to suit every gardener’s taste and color palette.

Zinnias
Zinnias
Zinnias

Milkweed and Monarchs

In nature, few relationships are as intricate and essential as that between the Monarch butterfly and the milkweed plant. Famous for being the most recognized insect in the US, these vibrant winged beauties rely on milkweed not only for sustenance but for their very survival. Sharing this fascinating relationship between Monarchs and milkweed with you, we’ll explore how this plant supports every stage of the butterfly’s life cycle.

Birthplace and Sanctuary:

Milkweed, genus Asclepias, serves as the cradle of life for Monarch butterflies. Female Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed plants, offering them a safe haven as they undergo their transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly.

Caterpillar Cuisine:

Once the Monarch eggs hatch, the tiny caterpillars feast voraciously on milkweed leaves. These particular leaves provide the essential nutrients needed for the caterpillars to grow rapidly. As they munch on the leaves, they accumulate toxins from the milkweed sap, making them distasteful and even poisonous to potential predators. This unique adaptation is crucial for the survival of Monarch caterpillars in the wild.

Metamorphosis Station:

As the caterpillars mature, they undergo a miraculous transformation within their chrysalis, emerging as fully-formed adult butterflies. Milkweed habitats provide the ideal environment for this metamorphosis to occur. Not only is milkweed the favored source of food, but the structure of milkweed plants, with their sturdy stems and broad leaves, offers ample space for Monarch chrysalises to hang securely until the butterflies emerge.

Fueling the Journey:

During their remarkable migration journeys, Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed for sustenance. Nectar from milkweed flowers serves as a vital energy source, fueling their long flights across continents. As they journey thousands of miles from their breeding grounds to overwintering sites and back again, Monarchs depend on the abundance of milkweed along their migratory routes.

Conservation Connection:

The decline of milkweed habitats poses a significant threat to Monarch populations. Factors such as habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change have led to a decline in milkweed availability across North America. Efforts to conserve and restore milkweed habitats are essential for ensuring the survival of Monarch butterflies. By planting milkweed in home gardens, individuals can contribute to the preservation of this vital butterfly species. Selecting the appropriate milkweed species is crucial for attracting Monarchs. While there are over 100 species of milkweed native to North America, some varieties are particularly favored by Monarchs, and many are region-specific.

Milkweed Species for Northeast and Midwest

In the Mid-Atlantic States, there are several native milkweed species that are crucial for Monarch Butterflies. Here are some of them, along with their details:

Common Milkweed (A. syriaca)

Common milkweed is perhaps the most well-known milkweed species.

It typically grows in tall clusters and produces pink to purplish flowers. It is most often found in a variety of habitats, including fields, meadows, and roadsides.

Swamp Milkweed (A. incarnata)

As the name suggests, swamp milkweed is often found in wetter habitats like marshes, wet meadows, and along stream banks. It has clusters of pink to mauve flowers. Swamp milkweed is an excellent choice for wetter areas where other milkweed species might not thrive.

Butterfly Weed (A. tuberosa)

Butterfly weed is known for its vibrant orange flowers and is a favorite among gardeners. It prefers well-drained soil and is often found in dry fields, along roadsides, and in open woods. While it’s not as commonly used by Monarch larvae as some other milkweed species, it’s still an important nectar source for adult butterflies.

Poke Milkweed (A. exaltata)

This milkweed species has tall, slender stems and delicate, pale pink flowers. It’s typically found in shaded woodlands and along forest edges. While it’s not as widespread as some other milkweed species, it’s still an important host plant for Monarch caterpillars where it occurs.

Whorled Milkweed (A. verticillata)

Whorled milkweed is characterized by its narrow leaves and small clusters of white flowers. It’s found in a variety of habitats, including dry fields, open woods, and roadsides. While it may not be as common as some other milkweed species, it’s still valuable for Monarch butterflies, particularly in areas where other milkweeds may not grow as well.

These native milkweed species will not only provide an essential habitat for Monarch Butterflies but also support other native pollinators in your area. Make sure to choose species that are appropriate for your specific region and growing conditions.

Cultivating Milkweed for Butterfly Abundance

Are you ready to invite the mesmerizing beauty of Monarch butterflies into your garden? Cultivating milkweed isn’t just about growing a plant; it’s about fostering an ecosystem, supporting biodiversity, and witnessing the awe-inspiring journey of one of nature’s most iconic creatures – the Monarch butterfly.

Now that you’ve chosen your milkweed varieties, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get gardening! Here’s a general step-by-step guide to growing milkweed in the garden to create a haven for Monarchs.

Site Selection
Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Although some exceptions exist, most milkweed plants prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
Soil Preparation
Milkweed isn’t overly picky about soil type but does prefer soil that’s not too compacted. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 6 inches and amend with compost if necessary.
Planting
Sow milkweed seeds directly in the ground in early spring after the danger of frost has passed. If you prefer to start with seedlings, transplant them into your garden with plenty of space between plants to accommodate their mature size.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the plant’s early growth stages. Once established, milkweed is relatively drought-tolerant.
Maintenance
Milkweed is generally low-maintenance, but removing weeds around young plants can help them thrive. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding if desired.
Ongoing Support
Embrace the biodiversity that milkweed attracts by avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides in your garden. Encourage beneficial insects and pollinators to make themselves at home alongside your Monarchs.

As your milkweed garden flourishes, so too will the population of Monarch butterflies that grace your outdoor oasis. By cultivating milkweed, you’re not just growing a plant – you’re fostering a connection to nature, supporting wildlife conservation efforts, and creating a sanctuary for Monarchs to thrive. So, roll out the floral welcome mat and prepare to be enchanted by the majestic beauty of Monarch butterflies in your own backyard.

milkweeds

Growing Glowing Marigolds

Ah, marigolds—they are the unsung heroes of the summer flower garden. Resilient, bold, and long-blooming, they create a tapestry of glowing yellow, gold, orange, and red that shines in a sunny setting from late spring to frost.

Types

There are three main types of marigolds. They all have edible petals, are perfect for creating natural dyes, attract bees and butterflies, and share a distinct aroma that helps ward off some common garden pests. Yet, each type, with its own individual size and shape, holds a unique position in the garden.

French Marigolds (Tagetes patula)

French marigolds are compact, bushy plants with delicate, lacy foliage and brightly colored blooms in orange, yellow, and red shades. They are perfect for border edging, adorning container gardens, or nestled next to your vegetable plants. Their small size will not overshadow other plants in the edible garden.

African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta)

Taller than French marigolds, African marigolds exhibit larger, more showy flowers in creamy white, yellow, gold, and orange shades. They are the perfect addition to the middle of a bright-colored flower bed or border. Their statuesque form and long, sturdy stems make them an exquisite choice for cut flower arrangements.

Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia)

With their delicate, fern-like foliage, Signet Marigolds are small in stature and produce tiny blooms in warm tones of red, orange, and yellow. With a citrusy flavor, these edible flowers look lovely as a garnish and taste delicious in salads. Signets work well for border edging, sunny window boxes, and containers.

Marigold Cultivation & Care

Marigolds are simple plants, easy to grow, with few demands. They aren’t fussy, but they do have some preferences.

Site: They flower best with a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight.
Soil: Regarding soil, they are partial to a well-draining one, rich in organic matter, with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. If you’ve got sandy loam soil, you’ve hit the jackpot in the marigold world.
Pinching: Marigolds benefit from pinching when young, creating a fuller plant with plenty of side branching and blooms.
Feeding: Add granular organic or slow-release fertilizer to the soil at planting time, then feed plants every other week with a liquid fertilizer listed for flowering annuals.
Mulching: Adding a layer of mulch to the soil around your plants will help retain soil moisture and prevent weeds; plus, it looks great!
Watering: Deep, infrequent watering that allows the soil to dry out in between is what marigolds desire.
Deadheading: Frequently remove spent flowers to keep fresh blooms coming.

The 10 Best Marigolds for Your Home Garden

Select marigolds for a splash of sunshine in summer containers and gardens. There’s something about these vibrant flowers that just makes you smile! Here’s a curated list of the top 10 marigold varieties to brighten your growing space.

French Marigold ‘Petite Mix’
Imagine a kaleidoscope of colors from yellow and orange to deep maroon in your garden. The ‘Petite Mix’ is a dwarf variety, perfect for the foreground of borders and beds. Its small stature packs a punch of color that will dazzle you all summer long.
African Marigold ‘Crackerjack’
Standing tall and proud, ‘Crackerjack’ offers large, fluffy blooms that resemble the sun. This variety is a beacon of joy with its bright yellow and orange flowers, inviting butterflies to the garden.
Signet Marigold ‘Tangerine Gem’
Like little drops of citrus delight, ‘Tangerine Gem’ will light up your garden. Its dainty, edible flowers present a unique zest to salads. Plus, its lacy foliage makes it a visually attractive ground cover.
French Marigold ‘Durango Red’
Add some spice to your garden with ‘Durango Red.’ Its deep, velvety red blooms edged with gold bring an exotic flair. Compact and resilient, this marigold does wonders for container gardening.
African Marigold ‘Mission Giant Yellow’
The name says it all! ‘Mission Giant Yellow’ towers over other garden plants, bringing a majestic presence. Its massive, bright yellow blooms are a stunning focal point for any sunny spot.
Signet Marigold ‘Lemon Gem’
Sister to ‘Tangerine Gem,’ ‘Lemon Gem’ offers lemony yellow blossoms that sparkle against its feathery green foliage. It’s not just their appearance; these flowers also have a delightful lemony fragrance.
French Marigold ‘Harlequin’
A true showstopper, ‘Harlequin’ boasts bi-colored petals in fiery shades of red and gold. This marigold variety adds a dramatic flair to your garden, attracting attention wherever it blooms.
African Marigold ‘Vanilla’
For those who prefer a softer palette, ‘Vanilla’ offers creamy white flowers that provide a soothing contrast to the typical marigold colors. Its unexpected soft coloring will make visitors do a double-take.
Signet Marigold ‘Paprika’
Spice up your garden with ‘Paprika’. This variety features tiny, rustic orange blossoms scattered across a bush of green. It’s perfect for adding a sprinkle of warmth to your sunny containers and window boxes.
French Marigold ‘Bolero’
And last but certainly not least, ‘Bolero’ dances in your garden with its red and yellow fringed petals. It’s as if each flower is celebrating the joy of sunny days, inviting you to join in the festivity.

Each marigold variety brings its unique character to your summer garden, creating a tapestry of color and splash of splendor. Plan on growing a wide variety of marigolds this summer to grace your gardens with their warm, glowing colors, delightful flowers, unique fragrance, easy care, and long bloom time.

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