Hi Donna,

I don't grow the Zaharas because they are Z. marylandica and won't cross with my "regular" Z. violacea or Z. elegans zinnias. But I am under the impression that the single Zahara Scarlet is more of a red-orange. There are some much more red colors in the double Zaharas, such as the Double Cherry Zahara. SwallowTail Garden's Double Duo Zahara Mix contains some good reds. I'm not so sure there is a good red in single Zaharas, but that might be worth some more investigation. It's probably not too late to order some more zinnia seed and plant them this year. I usually do succession plantings of zinnias up until the middle of July.

ZM

Donna, how did the Zowie Flame turn out? Was it true to color. I sowed some of these they are still in sprout stage.

Donna, have you tried the Magellan Scarlet? I grew it one year and was really wowed by the color. I remember it as a very vivid red/red-orange. Very bright...probably the brightest plant in the garden that year.

There are no true REDs in the Zaharas or Profusion. Scarlet, by definition, will always have an orange undertone. The only place I have seen the Zahara Scarlet look more saturated has been in California, where the cooler nights provide perfect growing conditions.

Hi goblugal,

"There are no true REDs in the Zaharas or Profusion."

At least Zahara Zinnia Double Cherry is not a "hot orange" type of red. Although cherry probably doesn't qualify as a "true red", either. I expect that it won't be too long until we see a "true red" Zahara Zinnia. It looks like you wouldn't be too far away from true red if you crossed Cherry with Scarlet.

ZM

Zen - no, Cherry is definitely not red - it has too much blue tone, making it a deep rose. I know that there will not be a true red in the Zahara's for at least 2 more years, as I have seen the breeding work.

Well, thank you to all of you on this. The scarlet Zaharas are almost identical in color to Fire, as my eye sees the color. I expected the scarlet to be a warm red, but I did also expect it to be different from Fire. I have grown the Cherry double. It is lovely, but I don't think I would want it with the yellow and Fire...too blue in its undertones.

ladyrose, I am crazy about the Zowie Flames! They start out as orange and yellow and then as they mature, the orange matures to a true red with the yellow. They are bushing out without pinching and already have multiple blooms on each plant. They (and the Uproar Rose) are definitely worth the extra cost of the seed to me.

Thanks to all of you for your help. At least now I know I didn't get the wrong seed. But, just for everyone's info, I can see virtually no difference in color between Fire and Scarlet.

zenman, it was actually the Swallowtail website's picture of their mix that inspired me to add the Scarlet, since I had lot of excess seed in the yellow and Fire. It would be interesting to know what the red in their mix actually is. The picture was stunning.

rhizo, I have never grown Magellans, but I just might order a packet of the scarlet and see if I can patch it in, per zenman's suggestion. After all, zinnias will do well here well into November. Plenty of time. Thanks.

Okay, so we have had a spell of cool weather, and lo and behold, I have scarlet zinnias! They are lovely. Evidently this is another color I can add to the list of these great flowers that fade in our hot sun. Oh well, something to look forward to in the fall. Just don't want anyone to miss out because of me.

And, last evening, I was out there and the plants were covered with sowbugs eating leaves in similar patterns to slugs. This is a new one on me! Anyone know what to do?

There is a bait that you sprinkle that sowbugs (aka pillbugs) love to eat, and it kills them. Pillbugs need a moist environment and they hate sand. So I put a sand mulch in places where I don't want pillbugs.

What a great tip, zenman! Thanks!