Colorful, a little unruly, and perfectly at home in the Arizona sunshine, zinnias are one of my favorite flowers to grow. But there’s more to these beauties than their bold blooms.
Native to Mexico and the American Southwest, zinnias have a history stretching back centuries. While they aren’t tied to a specific ancient myth, their folklore is rich with meaning. In the Victorian language of flowers, they symbolized lasting affection, loyalty, remembrance, and thoughts of absent friends. Yellow represented daily remembrance, scarlet stood for constancy, and white symbolized goodness.
Certain wild zinnias also have a place in Indigenous medicinal traditions, historically used in preparations for bruises, fevers, and other ailments. Today, researchers are exploring their potential anti-inflammatory properties.
In modern floristry, zinnias are loved for their whimsical shapes, incredible colors, and ability to bring movement and personality to garden-style bouquets. They’re also a flower farmer’s dream: heat-loving, productive, and generous with their blooms.
Here at The Metal Petal, I love flowers with a story. Zinnias are resilient, unapologetically colorful, and carry a sentiment I find especially beautiful: Even when we’re apart, you’re still in my thoughts.
And isn’t that a lovely message to tuck into a bouquet?
Grown in the high desert. Gathered with intention. Shared with love.
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