Issue Date: April 28, 1994
City: Cincinnati, OH
Quantity: 166,014,000
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Lithographed and engraved
Perforations: 11.9 vertically
Color: Multicolored

 

Since earliest times, flowers have been prized for their beautiful colors and delightful fragrances. Found growing from the cold wastelands of the Arctic to the jungles of the tropics, all flowers were originally wild. In time, people learned how to grow plants from seeds and began raising the prettiest and sweetest-smelling flowers in gardens. By 3000 B.C. the Egyptians had begun to cultivate a variety of flowers, including jasmine, poppies, and water lilies. Today garden flowers are cultivated throughout the world.

 

Invariably the last flower in alphabetical listings, zinnias often come first in preference among gardeners. Like marigolds, they are easy to grow and their brilliant blossoms make an eye-catching addition to any garden.

 

Native to the southwestern U.S. and Central and South America, zinnias are also cultivated in Europe. Interestingly, its blossoms are actually made up of two types of flowers - small, tube-shaped disk flowers in the center and petal-like ray flowers around the edge. Although they are often seen in reds, yellows, and oranges, this handsome flower comes in a variety of colors, including apricot, cream, violet, and even green. Some varieties are multicolored or striped.