Latest news with #Zinnia

Florist names five beginner-friendly plants that thrive in gardens without much work

Daily Record

04-05-2025

General
Daily Record

Florist names five beginner-friendly plants that thrive in gardens without much work

A professional florist named April has shared a list of five flowers that anyone can attempt to grow at home, no matter how much experience you have in the garden Embarking on gardening as a hobby for the first time can seem intimidating. There's a vast array of things you can cultivate in your garden, and you'll need to be clued up on everything from the type of soil in your flower beds to the amount of sunlight your outdoor space receives. Each plant has unique needs, with some being very specific about their sunlight requirements, preferred soil, and watering frequency. This can be daunting for green-fingered novices and can leave you feeling like anything you attempt to grow will be a struggle to keep alive. ‌ However, not all plants are a nightmare to look after. Some flowers are ideal for beginners due to their ease of growth and lack of need for any gardening experience. ‌ A recent TikTok video posted by a florist named April spotlighted five flowers that anyone can start growing, regardless of their level of gardening expertise. So here's everything you need to know. 1. Cosmos Cosmos are annual flowering plants known for their delicate, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, white, and orange. They are great for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. How to grow: Sowing: Sow seeds indoors in trays in early spring (March–April) or outdoors (May) after the last frost. Conditions: Requires full sun and well-drained soil. They thrive in poor to average soil, so no need for rich compost. Planting Out: In late May or June, transplant hardened-off seedlings outside once the risk of frost has passed. Maintaining: Deadhead regularly to encourage further blooming. They are drought-tolerant but appreciate occasional watering during dry periods. 2. Ranunculus Ranunculus produces stunning cup-shaped flowers with layers of paper-thin petals. They are grown from corms and are a favourite in cut-flower gardens due to their vibrant colours. ‌ How to grow: Corm Preparation: Soak corms in water for 3–4 hours before planting to 'wake them up.' Planting: Plant the corms in autumn (for over-wintering) in mild areas or in spring for summer blooms. Place the 'claw' (pointy side) facing down in well-drained soil. Conditions: Ranunculus prefer a sunny position with light, fertile soil that does not become waterlogged. Maintenance: Protect young shoots from slugs and snails. Water moderately and avoid overwatering, as the corms may rot. Dig up and store corms over winter in cooler regions to replant the following year. 3. Zinnia Zinnias are bright, cheerful flowers that come in a range of colours. Popular for their long-lasting blooms, they are an excellent choice for cutting gardens. ‌ How to grow: Sowing: Sow seeds indoors in compost-filled pots in April or directly outside in May after the danger of frost has passed. Conditions: Zinnias love full sun and rich, well-drained soil. They do best in a warm summer, so choose a sheltered spot. Planting Out: Transplant seedlings into beds or planters when they are strong enough and the weather is warm. Maintenance: Water regularly and deadhead to prolong flowering. Protect young plants with fleece if late frosts are expected. 4. Dahlia Dahlias are tuberous perennials with impressive, bold flowers that range from small pom-poms to giant dinner-plate blooms. They offer great variety in shape and colour. ‌ How to grow: Tuber Preparation: Start tubers indoors in pots in spring (early April) to encourage early growth. Alternatively, plant directly outdoors in mid-May. Planting: Choose a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Add well-rotted compost to the planting hole. Position tubers so the crown of the plant is just above the soil. Maintenance: Stake tall varieties as they grow. Water dahlias regularly during dry spells and feed them fortnightly with a high-potash fertiliser once buds develop. Lift and store tubers in autumn before frost hits, unless you live in a mild area. 5. Sweet pea Sweet peas are fragrant climbing annuals with small, butterfly-shaped flowers in pastel or vibrant colours. They're classic cottage garden plants that look lovely on trellises, fences, or obelisks. How to grow: Sowing: Sow seeds indoors in late autumn (October–November) for sturdier, earlier plants or in late winter (January–March) for summer blooms. You can also sow directly outdoors in April. Soak seeds overnight before sowing to encourage germination. Conditions: Sweet peas prefer a sunny, sheltered position with rich, moist, well-drained soil. Add manure or compost when planting them out. Support: As climbers, they need canes, netting, or trellises for support. Maintenance: Water regularly but don't let the soil become waterlogged. Pick flowers regularly to encourage more blooms and prevent pod development.

Mint

25-04-2025

Lifestyle
Mint

SUMMER BLOOMS AT HOME

Zinnia is a hardy, sun-loving flower that blooms in vibrant colors like pink, red, orange, and yellow, attracting butterflies and thriving in heat. Credit : PINTEREST

Crisp Appoints John McConnell as CFO to Support Company Growth Plans

Yahoo

22-04-2025

Business
Yahoo

Crisp Appoints John McConnell as CFO to Support Company Growth Plans

BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 22, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Crisp, the leading collaborative commerce platform for retail data, has announced John McConnell as Chief Financial Officer. McConnell has more than two decades of experience in private equity management and corporate finance. The appointment comes as Crisp is in accelerated growth mode, focused on both organic growth and growth through M&A activity. McConnell joins Crisp with over 20 years of investment and corporate management, most recently serving as CFO at Zinnia, a leader in the life and annuities insurance technology and services industry and previously serving in corporate finance at Zinnia parent company Eldridge Industries since its founding in 2015. While at Zinnia, McConnell positioned Zinnia for its next growth stage through strategic acquisitions and capital raises from leading investors. Prior to Eldridge Industries, McConnell was a member of the investment team at Guggenheim Partners. Additionally, he served in various investment management and finance roles at Chartwell Investments and J.P. Morgan. McConnell earned his BSBA in Finance and International Business from Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. "Crisp's investment partners are dedicated to the company's rapid growth, and they see the potential for large-scale cost savings, waste reduction and revenue acceleration through the world-class technology the team has built," said McConnell. "The company is well positioned to expand its leadership position and build the largest, most effective data platform that empowers CPGs and retail channels. It's an exciting time to be part of Crisp's growth story." "Crisp is on an accelerated growth trajectory. Part of that journey is bringing on an experienced CFO to help us navigate the path forward successfully," said Are Traasdahl, CEO and founder of Crisp. "John brings an important background in private equity, as well as hands-on experience as a CFO for fast-growing technology companies." In the last 12 months, Crisp's customer base has grown exponentially from 660 to nearly 6,000. In the past year, Crisp has also acquired five companies as the organization expands its ability to provide end-to-end supply chain data to CPG brands and their retail channel partners. These include Minneapolis-based Lumidata and SetSight, Seattle-based Shelf Engine, and two separate UK-based entities: Atheon Analytics (SKUtrak) and ClearBox Analytics. By curating, normalizing and visualizing massive amounts of operational data into actionable insights, manufacturers and their retail partners can optimize production, logistics, inventory and marketing efforts and make near-real-time decisions on operational changes that reduce food waste, cut costs and ensure ideal product availability at retail channels to maximize profitability. Crisp is the only company poised to empower brands and channels with the technology and information they need to compete in an increasingly complex supply chain environment through its unique data and growth strategy. About Crisp Over $15T in goods flow through global supply chains annually. But the data required to optimize movement of goods is disconnected and siloed. As the leading retail data company, Crisp leverages AI to facilitate the integration, access, and exchange of data between CPG brands, retailers, and distributors, providing unprecedented visibility to optimize retail sales and the supply chain infrastructure. Trusted by 6,000+ brands representing more than $2.5T in retail sales across over 250K stores, Crisp transforms retail data into a competitive advantage. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Press Contact: Katie Padilla, (202) 878-8315, crispteam@ Sign in to access your portfolio

Time of India

21-04-2025

Time of India

Tara Sutaria Spotted Shooting In Bandra

Inside Gene Hackman's Home: New Bodycam Footage Shows Dog Guards Dead Betsy, Actor Found Mummified Newly released police bodycam footage captures a haunting scene inside the Santa Fe home of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Officers walked into a state of chaos, confused voices, scattered belongings, and a dog barking in the distance. Betsy was found lifeless beside their crated German Shepherd, Zinnia, who had also died. Another dog was seen calmly sitting nearby, as if still guarding her. Hackman's body was later discovered in the mudroom, separated from where Betsy and Zinnia were found. Authorities confirmed Betsy died from hantavirus, while Hackman succumbed to heart issues and Alzheimer's. Zinnia likely died from dehydration and starvation in the aftermath. The couple, who had lived privately since Hackman's retirement in 2004, were last seen in public just a month before their deaths. Both were found dead on February 26. 6.7K views | 5 days ago