DeSoto Civic Garden Club features zinnias at meeting

The DeSoto Civic Garden Club’s Nov. 5th Meeting was held in the home of Dawn Weiss. Dawn was also the member speaker. Hostesses for the month were club members Gwen Savage, Elaine White and Carla Proctor, who put on beautiful tablescape with a November theme, baked goods and cut roses from the garden. 

The powerpoint presentation was entitled “November is for leaves falling, elections, Thanksgiving and the Magic of Seeds – Zinnia’s!”  

The club was challenged to start flowers from seeds for use in bouquets and attracting pollinators to the garden.  Gardeners want low-maintenance seed that germinates quickly, is easy to care for, resistant to pests and disease, easy to deadhead, encouraging more blooms, long-lasting, colorful, heat tolerant and 6-8 hours of sunlight … Zinnias fit all of those requirements. 

Members were asked to visualize an area they would like to create and would flowers grow in containers? a flower bed,  raised bed, or used in borders or landscaping.

The powerpoint then walked through the many varieties of zinnias, bloom type 1-1/4″ to 6″ blooms.  Think color – deep red, orange, carmine rose, coral. Lime, wine, purple, bright pink, white, salmon rose, scarlet and yellow.  Two-toned, dwarf (10-18″ tall), medium (24-36″) tall, or the tall (40-50″) tall.  Depending on the variety, growth habit/height, spacing requirements for cut flowers or use in the landscape.

When considering use in bouquets the flower height, color (bold and bright), pastels, bridal bouquets, pastels to fall colors, the variety of shape and the blooming requirements and succession planting.  Zinnias are the perfect choice for any cut flower garden. 

Yes, November is for falling leaves, election, Thanksgiving and planning for Spring. 

The DeSoto Civic Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Garden Clubs of Mississippi Inc., Hills and Delta District.