I grew a lot of annual flowers from seed this year: calendula, zinnias, strawflowers, marigolds, and nasturtiums in my garden plot plus dahlias (from over-wintered tubers), gomphrena, zinnias, cosmos, sweet alyssum, and a wild flower mix in the communal garden bed. There were also spilanthes and chamomile plants (both bought as seedlings from the Neighborhood Farm), cosmos, zinnias and nasturtiums on the back porch as well as snapdragons on the front porch. This was the first time I grew strawflowers, and they did very well. I used them in small bouquets (both fresh and dried), in this year’s garlic braid and also just in random decorations around the house. The dried ones keep their color well, and continue to make me happy even now in December.