The borders barmaid – my pick of the bunch
Those blousey, overblown barmaids of the borders, Zinnias, have been named Flower of the Year by Fleuroselect, so I took a more detailed look at this popular flower.
It’s fair to say that there’s so many varieties, you’ll find one to suit your style.
Here’s my top 10 picks from what’s on the market for next season:
Queen Red Lime, Dobies, www.dobies.co.uk, £2.50.
Part of the Rob Smith range. Pastel shades of red/ pink, brushed with lime green. Needs free drainage and full sun. Combine Queen Red Lime with Achillea and Gypsophila. Height 60cm.
Zahara Rose Starlight, DT Brown, www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk, £2.99.
Pure white flowers streaked with rich pink in the centre. Drought, heat and humidity tolerant. Height: 45cm.
Zinderella Peach, Thompson & Morgan, www.thompson-morgan.com, £3.49.
Orange blooms with cream and rose detailing. Height 90cm.
Solmar Mixed F1, Mr Fothergill’s, www.mrfothergills.co.uk, £3.99 (20 seeds).
British-bred, with large flower heads which last well with good heat and drought tolerance, and excellent disease resistance. Height 45-60cm.
Sombrero, Mr Fothergill’s, www.mrfothergills.co.uk, £2.35 (50 seeds).
Single-flowered, red and white, jam tart-like blooms through summer and into autumn. Height 35cm.
Fireworks Mix, Suttons, www.suttons.co.uk, £1.99 (average 120 seeds).
Large double flowers, long-lasting and gaily coloured. Height 75cm.
Old Mexico, Marshalls, www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk, £2.99. (100 seeds, not pictured).
Fiery hues of chilli reds and golden yellows give a rustic charm to beds and borders. Ideal for cut flowers. Height 45cm.
Mazurkia, Chiltern Seeds, www.chilternseeds.co.uk, £2.20.
Award-winning new variety with cream-tipped scarlet flowers. Height 90cm.
Jazzy Mixed, Plant World Seeds, www.plant-worldseeds.com, £3.20.
Bi-coloured zinnias produce masses of semi double, inch and a half, red-tipped burgundy daisies in the sparkling colours, blooming into late autumn. Height 45cm.
Mammoth, Higgledy Garden, www.higgledygarden.com, £1.95 (50 seeds).
Wonderful double flowers on strong stems, a great range of colours and easy to grow. Height 75cm.