Description
It’s hard not to be tempted by photographs of this gorgeous annual. I wanted to try it for many years but resisted because I had an idea it would be fussy. I finally bought a packet in 2019 but didn’t get around sowing it until this year (2022). All I can say is, why didn’t I try it sooner? The 2- to 3-foot-tall plants aren’t particularly interesting, but oh, the lovely, funnel-shaped flowers: some are bright yellow while others are shades of red, pink, purple, and orange, with a yellow throat and reddish purple veining. When the sun shines through them, they almost look like stained glass. They are exquisite in the garden and outstanding as fresh cut flowers too. Though we had an exceptionally hot, dry summer, my plants (in full sun but with regular watering) flowered through June and July—much longer than I expected, since this species reportedly performs best in cool conditions.
To be honest, I don’t know how ‘Finest Mix’ is different from the species, or from any other color mixes. I am keeping the name, though, because it has special significance to me: It was one of the last packets I bought from the Sample Seed Shop, a marvelous little one-person company that carried an amazing array of seeds at ultra-low prices. I was so sad to hear that Remy, the owner, passed away in 2020. I’m really glad that I kept the hand-labeled packet for these seeds and I think of her each time I run across it. Even though we never met, I feel a connection to her through her efforts to make wonderful seeds available to so many gardeners.
Collected in September 2022. At least 25 seeds.
Please read the germination information as well before ordering.
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