[tode]

that I've tried growing 'em !
Zinnias, that is.
Seeds all germinated,
Plants that don't flop all over the place,
Superb colours,
Good stiff stems for cut flowers:


Maybe they're not very "cottagey", but for the WOW factor, ....  WOW.

[agapanthus]

They are beautiful Tode!! I think they are very cottagy!!

[Yorkie]

They certainly have the cheerful impact factor, well done 

[mumofstig]

Really bright and cheerful......lovely

[tode]

Yeah, there's a lot of "beautiful" flowers, but these make me smile ... 

[SMD66]

wow indeed, I want to grow some now. 

[tode]

We'll have to start a Zinnia Appreciation Club   

[peapod]

Wow and wow again! Do they need support? Id rather not use canes, but can get some of those support wire thingies (technical I know) for free from MIL
Ive even got seeds from last years bargain bucket

[tode]

No sticks and no strings, which in my book is already a great advantage 
The stems are really tough.  Hold up well in a vase, as well.  They're my No. 1 discovery of 2009.

[CaroM]

The colours are amazing. And I don't think they are un-cottagey. Not that it matters, they're beautiful.

[Spana]

Cor, they're lovely.  Can you remember the variety and how tall are they?  I'm going to try them next year.  I usually grow cosmos for cut flowers but they look as if they may be better.

[tode]

Sorry, not being a "proper" gardener, I threw the packet away 
Height about 80 -100 cm.  Each flower has quite a long stalk, so good for cutting, even the 2nd/3rd flowering have decent stalks. Cosmos are very pretty, but they tend to flop, specially as we get a lot of wind here.

Had a quick google: looks like they"re Giant Californian. Maybe next year I'll try some others as well.

[sclarke624]

They are special.  None of mine germinated :sulk:

[tode]

I sowed mine about 15th -30th march, in cool GH, and they all came up. Planted them out about middle of may (I think).
I think I went overboard yesterday, I've ordered about 5 or 6 packets of different zinnias. I'd never realised what a range of shapes and colours you can get. 

Page 23 -31 on :
http://www.graines-baumaux.fr/catalogue.php?cat=19&sscat=187&sscat2=141&page=23

UK seed sites don't seem to have as much choice, though.   

[catllar]

I grew them last year, but being v. lazy I just stuck the seeds in the ground in April and away they went! Like you Tode, can't remember the variety, but they grew about 50cm tall and were self supporting, great for late colour - only thing is I can't stand mixed colours so if I do them again I'll be a tad more selective. Year one was just a test run.They are drought and wind resistant so great for here.