Easy to Grow color

Spring is soon upon us and it’s time to start growing some flowers from seed.  There are three flowers that I love to start from seed, that are easy, and give great color.

•     Zinnia:  Zinnia’s come in many different colors and sizes and are extremely easy to grow.  I was first introduced to Zinnia’s when I was in high school, by one of my newspaper customers.  I was told that he just saved the dead flower heads each year and then scattered the seeds in the spring.  I couldn’t believe that it was just that easy for such beauty, but it is.

•         Sunflower:  Sunflowers are those plants which you probably remember growing as a child in school for Mothers day.   Remember if a child can grow them, you can too.  Sunflowers also come in a variety of sizes and colors.  In sizes from giant, to dwarf and  colors from bright yellow to browns and oranges.  These easy plants will get you the wows from your neighbors and friends, just don’t tell them how easy they are.  In addition, Sunflowers attract birds since they are a source of food.  It’s fun to watch the birds feast on the seeds in the sunflowers at the end of summer. 

•          Cleome:  Cleome is know as spider flower, comes in multiple colors, and grows 3-4 ft tall.  Cleome have very long seedpods which develop below the flowers.  As Cleome's bloom progresses upward on the stalk, The seed pods, give the plants a spidery look.  Cleome is a very prolific re-seeder.  It is also very easy to collect the seeds and scatter them on the soil in the spring to ensure growth.  Cleome are very prolific and also very easy to transplant if you want to move them.