I finally got the chance to plant the zinnia and hollyhock seedlings outside during the last week of May when night time temperatures were looking pretty consistent. I was worried that people will steal the annuals and neighbors will pluck out the seedlings, thinking that they are weeds. So far none of that has happened!

I also snuck in some Cherry Rose Sunflower seeds (purchased from Seed Needs a year ago). I didn’t expect them to sprout in the second week! I though the squirrels might get them. Overall, I’m really happy to see the zinnias looking so strong and healthy! I thought that because they didn’t get much sunshine for two months, they would struggle outside.

The alyssum and dianthus are also starting to grow larger and spread. I’m hoping the alyssum will cover up the bare spots once the zinnias are ready to bloom. The small blue flowers (lobelia) may fade in the middle of summer and I may have to replace them with another annual, unless the alyssum spreads quickly.