Well duh, I just read part 4 of the zinnia series and am glad to see that Uproar Rose has vigor. I only had time to skim part 4 but am interested in the genetics information and can't wait to go back.

Another first-time grower here! This looks like such a beautiful colored zinnia and I hope it does well - for both of us!

:)
Dee

This will be my third season growing 'uproar rose' zinnias.
A fabulous plant. No disease issues for me and the flowers are large.
I start them indoors because I have a short season. They bloom early outdoors until frost 10/1.
Another favorite zinnia of mine is the 'dreamland' series from Park's. Not a cutting flower because stems are short. Starts to bloom 6-7 weeks from seed and they stay smothered in flowers all season. The pink is more rose and the rose is more red(ha-ha).

These have been a resounding flop for me...and I had such high hopes! For whatever reason, the germination rate has been very poor. The first 4 grew, but very slowly and to only just under a foot. The flowers are small and a shade of deep pink. In a second area I sowed 10 seeds, only one of which took, sowed 10 more seeds and none took!

It's interesting to read of the experience other gardeners have had. It's been great for them. Last year I enjoyed the height, form, outstanding flowers, and general vigor of the Giant Violet seeds that I planted. Is it too late for me to plant them again? I live in RI zone 6.

Tangerine, are you growing any other zinnias this season, and if so, how have those done?

I ask because while my Uproar Rose aren't much of an uproar, lol, none of my zinnias are. The last few years the zinnias have been the stars of my annual garden, and this year - pfff! I sowed about 150 seeds of zinnias in general, (12 Uproar Rose) and I got 63 seedlings (5 Uproar Rose). Of those, I probably lost another 20, and after planting out, lost even more. I sowed about another 30 seeds, and got about 10 more plants - and lost some of those when planted out too. So, it's been a bad year for zinnias for me in general.

The plants that I do have left are still rather small, and I'm just starting to get bloom in the last week, so it's hard to judge just yet.

I guess this is a long, roundabout way of saying maybe you shouldn't give up on them just yet, at least not for next year. I intend on giving them another try.

By the way, I recently saw a post about Giant Violet, a kind I had not previously seen, and they are beautiful. I'm adding them to my list to try next year.

:)
Dee

This year I sowed Giant Violet Queen and Miss Willmont (pink)together in the bed behind the mailbox, around which (box) the wild blue chickory blooms the entire month of July. Sowed the week of Memorial Day; and the plants, both varieties, are less than one foot tall! And finally have started to bloom this week - pale lavender, washed out pink, and there are even a couple dark rose, nearly red blooms. Mill Willmont is suppose at least 36" high.

In past years, I've never had a problem growing healthy, true to height zinnias (albeit not the colors promised sometimes)in this bed. I'm wondering if it's because I amended the soil by adding a rich compost mix. Do they prefer ordinary to poor soil? The weather was cool and then rainy for quite a while,too.

It seems as though some of us are having the same sorts of trouble with our zinnias. Diggerdee, unfortunately I'm not growing any other zinnias this year. Next year, even though my space is limited I might plant at least 3 different kinds and hope for the best. I can't identify anything that is so very different this year from last in growing conditions.

My Uproar Rose have produced a few more blooms but I won't be growing them again. The shade of pink doesn't do anything for me and I like either less or more height in zinnias. That said, it has been a weird growing season. I had a bunch of coleus sit for two months before doing anything. They're starting to look good now, but it's almost mid August!

Tangerine, my coleus have been doing the same thing. I got them all at the same garden center (a good one) and thought maybe they had a virus or something. They are starting to get a little height now, but still are nothing like they've been in the past. The ones I took cuttings from last year have done well though. Maybe because they had such a good head start, that helped them.

Kat

I continue to love 'uproar rose' zinnia.
Here she is on 8/1/08, two months from a quart size transplant. Flower color is similar to 'stargazer' lily.

{{gwi:2166}}

And I continue to admire your gardens, neighbor! Must take some notes as I shovel-prune HUGE spaces this year due to lack of structure going on. Yours is fantastic!
What's that blue stuff in there- ageratum?

Yes, franeli, your garden is just beautiful!

:)
Dee

I've never grown Uproar Rose ... though, have been really happy with the Magellan series, compact plants with large flowers and good colors.

Terry

I last posted on Aug 7 that I would not grow these again and would like to update. These zinnia have grown into beautiful plants over the past 6 weeks. They produced multiple robust stems and flowers the color that franeli shows above. They do not need staking or any special care. They stand tall at around 3 feet and can be planted in small spaces to great effect. I don't personally care for the color, but I'm certain it would be wonderful in many different combinations and plantings.

Yes, once mine got going, I was happy with them also. I use them for cutting, and I was not disappointed. Long, strong stems, and I loved the color. I'll most likely grow them again next year. Hopefully they'll get a better, quicker start!

:)
Dee