Gomphrena and zinnia attract summer pollinators
“Carmine Red” was retired from the Crayola box in 1958, so you may not be familiar with the color. By definition, it’s a vivid crimson.
The QIS Carmine gomphrena is a prime example. If you were partnering up a color, an intense yellow-gold would be perfect, so send in a dozen or so American goldfinches to eat not only gomphrena seeds, but zinnias, too.
That spectacle has been happening several times a day, creating what many gardeners would consider a National Geographic moment in Columbus, Ga. The beds feature the QIS Carmine gomphrena, Uproar Rose zinnias, Superbena Stormburst verbena and Profusion yellow zinnias.
If you are mesmerized by hummingbirds coming to your salvias and cupheas, you will be in total ecstasy when birds come to pick off your mature seeds. To be honest, the flowers were so pretty and persevering, we didn’t realize there were any seeds ripe for the picking.
QIS gomphrena is known botanically as with the common name Rio Grande globe amaranth. The species is native to Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, so it has tough DNA. It is offered in carmine and three other colors from PanAmerican Seed.
Imagine 24- to 30-inch-tall carmine blooms paired with Uproar Rose zinnia, which is about as close to perfection as an annual flower can be. It provides cut flowers and brings in butterflies and hummingbirds. The good news for you is they are easy to find online in the seed market.
Uproar Rose is a large dahlialike flower borne on 30-inch-tall stems. Expect the plants to reach about 3 feet wide, so give adequate spacing when planting. These zinnias look like the quintessential cottage garden flower partnered with rudbeckias, coreopsis, Shasta daisies and, of course, gomphrena.
Gomphrenas and zinnias perform best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Part-sun will still work, but blooms will be more prolific in full sun. When working soil, incorporate 2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed space. I like to use a 12-6-6 ratio when I can easily find it, but a balanced one that contains a slow-release form of nitrogen will do just fine. Work in the fertilizer and 3 to 4 inches of organic matter, tilling 6- to 8-inches deep. During the hot summer months, they need water almost daily.
The midsummer reports for Truffula Pink and Ping Pong gomphrena are also outstanding. This gives you three choices of gomphrena species to partner with Uproar Rose or your favorite garden flowers.
I can’t promise a goldfinch spectacle like we are experiencing in Columbus, Ga., but I can assure you summerlong color.