I realize this is the perennials forum but some Profusion Zinnias change color (the pinks, oranges, and reds I believe). I have a red-orange variety that starts out an intense solid color then unevenly fades over time to lighter, rich, orange and yellow-orange with some darker red-orange mixed in. I have heard some criticism over the fading, but I love it. When they fade they look as though they are a water color painting with all the different variations color blending into each other. I don't know how long they take to change color. At the start of the summer it was quite fast under a week but now they are more established it takes a bit longer but I can't give you precise time frame. I will try to upload a picture later to give you a sense of the beautiful coloration.

Blooms can also fade with the sun - did the blooms come in this summer as "advertised"/the correct color, and then change over time to the whiter color, or did they bloom as the whiter/lighter color? I have also seen both 'Dynamite' and 'Red Rocket' throw an occasional pink or white-edged bloom or cluster of blooms, which is seemingly considered "normal" for the cultivar(s), and is more likely to happen early on in the season. Do you know if your dad did anything differently than what you are doing, as far as cultivation practices - feeding, watering, lawn care, etc.? My CMs flowered later and not as full than I remember this year - although my memory may also be faulty! The spring was weird, and went into a weirder summer, what with drought again, and extreme early heat, so I am not expecting "normal" flowering from them. While your weather may have been more normal for you this spring/summer, if you got the drought last summer that I did, your CMs may have been under some stress, and if your weather or gardening practices didn't totally relieve the stress, the flowers might reflect that. As you can see, I have no answers, only ideas of possible reasons.... I would water well, be careful about feeding, and give them another year before getting out the shovel!

Wow! That second difference is just amazing! I have several plants that I call my "chameleons" who's blooms are drastically different depending on weather, time of bloom cycle, etc. Daylilies are also drastically different in appearance in different zones. If you are in a cooler zone like mine, you have to resign yourself to the fact that teeth, watermarks, edges, and blue type eyes are probably not going to show themselves in your garden. Helps keep the list down a little at least! Julie

Suzabanana - no, they came out white the last time and bright yellow this time. No fading. Harawlins - I know, right?? It's a wild little plant that keeps blooming non-stop all year round. Obviously a happy orchid, but creeps my coworkers out a little.