Ilove zinnias. They are one of my favorite flowers. I interplant long rows of zinnias with my pumpkin and squash plants every year. Last year, as I was weeding the rows, I noticed a plant that had a striking difference from the rest. The plant was variegated. It had green leaves with strips of light-green and cream colors. Not missing the chance to experiment, I marked the plant, and last fall saved the seed separately. I started the seeds this spring.

Before we talk about the results of my experiment, let’s discuss plant variegation. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, variegation means a diversity of colors. For plants, these differences can be in colors, in the leaves or in the flowers. The variegation results in different patterns of contrasting colors.

In the landscape, the

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