Zinnias need full sun and 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water to thrive.Their bloom time is summer to fall. To care for cut Zinnias, strip foliage near the bottom of the stem and cut the stems to the vase you are using, then fill a clean vase with lukewarm water and add flower food if needed. No leaves should be touching water.
Cosmos need full sun and not a lot of water is how Cosmos thrive. Their bloom time is summer and fall. To care for cut Cosmos, strip foliage near the bottom of the stem and trim the stems to fit a clean vase. Fill the vase with room temperature water and add flower food. No leaves should be touching water.
Marigolds need full sun to part sun and 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 7.5 cm) weekly to thrive. Their bloom time is spring to fall. To cut and care for cut marigolds, you need to go to the marigolds early in the morning, preferably after watering. Once cut, strip all foliage from the stems and put them in a clean vase with room temperature water with flower food. WARNING: Marigolds can produce irritating sap when cut or handled, so always wear gloves when handling marigolds.
Scarlet runner beans should be planted in soil that is high in organic matter and in full sun. They grow quickly and require support (something to climb). It is not necessary to tie these beans, as they will twine around anything close by. The seeds are large and should be planted 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm.) apart to minimize overcrowding.
Columbine seeds can be directly sown in the garden in early spring or summer. Most columbines grow best in partial shade, but some will do fine in full sun. Plant the seedlings outdoors about 10 inches apart. Good drainage is essential to the columbine’s health, which can be prone to root-rot. Avoid clay soil when planting them.
Four o’clocks flourish in a full sun to part sun area and are best planted where you can enjoy the heady fragrance. It is helpful to soak or nick the seed coat before planting. A low maintenance bloom, this reliable flower needs only occasional watering and is somewhat drought resistant.
Love-in-a-Puff is very sensitive to cold. Direct sow after the weather has warmed. Don’t cover seeds; press them into the soil. Seeds need light to germinate. Space plants about a foot (30 cm) apart. Love in a puff grows up to 10 feet (3.5 meters) tall! Plant in full sun for the most blooms. Does best with regular water and well-drained soil.
Echinacea (cone flowers) plant in a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of full sunlight each day. The plants will tolerate partial shade, but may eventually flop over, and the blooms won’t be as prolific. They can thrive in a variety of soil types, including sandy, rocky, and clay soils. However, they do not like wet soil. Coneflowers are often listed as drought-tolerant plants, but they will actually do much better with fairly regular watering.