CoolBlueNews --- June 3, 2011 --- Although I closed my business and retired in December of 2010, I still tried to find gardeners for my longtime clients, and took occasional consulting jobs. Thus, when a good client called me and asked me to clue his new landscaper in on what plants I had used on his garden, I was glad to help out. What did you plant that he keeps raving about? , the new guy asked. I've showed him pictures of every flower I use and none of them fit his description. Oh, that's easy, I replied. Zinnias, lots of them and in every color.

Zinnias are an old plant, first seen by me at age four in my Grandma Sprouse's garden in West Virginia. She grew them in a row next to the corn, and they were huge things, much taller than me. As a child, I loved the pink, orange, gold and red flowers but, as an adult, the sandpaper-like leaves turned me off, and I didn't grow them for years.

Then I got a client who wanted big colorful flowers – all colors – all summer. They had to be good for cutting, withstand heat attract butterflies, and most importantly, deer resistant. Hello zinnias, come on down!

Zinnias are a hot weather annual from Mexico. The largest of them, Zinnia elegans, now comes in many colors –- bi-color gold and orange, white with rose center, reds, pinks, and purples. Two new cultivars are popping up in garden stores, a red and white beauty called 'Swizzle Cherry and Ivory,' and its gold and orange counterpart 'Swizzle Scarlet and Yellow. Friend and good gardener, Barbara Powers, who loves old flowers, turned me on to a green Zinnia – Envy.

Last year, I grew many kinds of zinnias – all of the above and lots of the little 'Profusion' strain, small zinnias in bright orange, red, yellow and peach. Living here in Mt. Lookout, also known as Deer Central, for the first time I had continuous color. It seems that the things that I didn't like about zinnias were also the things the deer didn't like, which may be why we now find these lovely upstanding flowers in six-packs everywhere. Hey honey, when you go to Biggs, would you mind bringing me back some zinnias?*****

Please contact me by email – coolbluegarden@usa.net and I'll kindly pass their names on to you.

Zinnia grandiflora – Perennial to Zone 5 – Here is Zone Hot and Muggy, Z. grandiflora may do well. This is my first year as I finally have a little more time to experiment with varieties I only once read about.

Description reads "dwarf plants with large orange-centered, sunshine-yellow daisies. Drought and heat tolerant – sound like a winner to me!

Zinnia 'Parasol Mixed' – Short but with same large flowers as any of the giant mixes. This flower is available at the Reading Feed Mill, if you can find anything after my cherry picking. It's a great flower for the veg garden.

First Farm Inn, Idlewild, KY --- After years and years of taking care of family, clients and employees, I needed something just for me. I had tried my hand at handicapping race horses, and while I didn't lose money, I didn't make much either.
 At some point, I realized just how much could go wrong with a horse. But in the process, I found just messing around with horses quite relaxing. I loved their beauty, size and strength, their personalities, and ultimately, the thrill of the ride.
 First Farm offers horse rides like no other. You are matched up with one of nine of the most interesting animals on earth and begin by grooming and thus, bonding with your ride. While you brush down your horse, since it can't be ridden dirty,
 Jen Warner, the owner, walks the stable explaining the ins and outs of horsemanship. Your horse is saddled, you mount and you ride out to a large ring, where she instructs you in posture, reining, trotting, posting and other command beyond my ability and understanding. After about 45 minutes of "horse class, " you head out to the pastures, woods and roads for wonderful riding. Jen is an expert teacher.
 When I first started riding, I panicked, losing my stirrups and my cool. Sharon, she said, I'm going to tie a lead rope from your horse to mine and help you. So there I was, tied to Jen's horse along with an eleven year old who was doing much better than I.
  Jen has a way of making you feel secure and I've made progress since then, can now ride, trot and even sometimes canter on my own.
 If you don't believe me, check out my FaceBook page, Sharon Rosberg, and there I am, having the ride of my life. Oh, did I mention, First Farm Inn is a B&B too. Great accommodations, great breakfasts, and great, great horses.
 First Farm Inn, 2510 Stevens Road, Idlewild, KY 41080, 859-586-0199, www.firstfarminn.com. Please call, book a horse or a room, whatever and join me!