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When it come to pops of color in the garden bed , few flowers rival a hardy zinnia . Zinnias maturate in a variety of color and heights andlove living in containers , making them the go - to summertime annual for centuries .
Luckily , zinnia care is easier than you may consider , and — with minimal effort — you will be honour with striking , long - lasting flower that also make fantabulous cut flowers . This guide has the resolution to questions you may have about how to uprise zinnias .
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Growing Zinnias at a Glance
Common Name : ZinniaScientific Name : Zinnia elegans , Zinnia spp . Hardiness Zone : Annual in USDA zones 2 through 8 , repeated in geographical zone 9 through 11Soil : Rich , well - drain soil ; pH 5.5 to 7.5Light : Full sunWater : Regular waterFood : fertilise throughout the produce seasonPropagation : SeedSafety : Nontoxic
Zinnia Characteristics
Most gardeners are familiar with the attractiveannualzinnia varietyZinnia elegans . It ’s comfortable to shoot from seed and grows prolifically in pots and garden beds alike . Hybrid colour place from snow white to pale green to soft salmon ; in fact , there are hybrids ofZ. elegansin about every people of colour of the rainbow ! A arresting plus to anywildflower gardenor window box , this mintage also come in an array of flower frame , including single , semi - three-fold , double , dahlia , globe , cactus , and even scabiosa , with the lattermost form named for its resemblance to the pincushion flower .
Other yearly zinnia mixed bag are the compactZinnia angustifoliaandZ. haageana , or Mexican old maid . The latter includes the Royal Horticultural Society ’s laurels - winning cultivar‘Aztec Orange ’ , which features gorgeous vivid - orange forked flowers . Another isZ. marylandica , a crossing betweenZ. angustifoliaandZ. elegansthat is particularly mold - kind , whileZ. peruvianaisnative to the U.S. Southwestdown through Argentina and sometimes calledZ. pauciflora .
Perennial old maid varieties includeZinnia grandiflora , otherwise referred to as prairie or Rocky Mountain zinnia , andZ. acerosa , also called desert old maid flower . This humbled grower is aboriginal to the Rocky Mountains and Mexico and broad of colder winter in USDA zones 4 through 9 . Meanwhile , Z. acerosais native to Arizona , Texas , and Mexico . It is a ground covert with beautiful ashen flush with scandalmongering or sometimes purple floweret at its center . These two native zinnias alsoattract hummingbirds , bee , and other pollinators in great number .
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Recommended Zinnia Varieties
Planting Zinnias
Zinnias arelow - maintenance basis coversonce set up and subject of providing month of dynamic color to garden beds and pots . Plant several variety together to get grownup splashes of color in your old maid flower garden with little effort .
When is the best time to plant zinnias?
Plant zinnias in the spring once the danger of Robert Lee Frost has surpass and daytime temperature make at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit . In areas with ardent springs , sow seed now in the background . In cool climate , begin seeds indoors 4 to 6 week before the expectedlast frost particular date .
Where can zinnias grow?
With a couple of elision , most zinnia are yearly plants . Many are native to Mexico and the Southwest , so theseflowers bang rut . Plant them in a sunny spot in the garden where they ’ll get at least 6 to 8 hour of sunlight a Clarence Day . In areas with very hot summer , zinnias can endure fond sun . In areas with nerveless summers or daze , opt the sunniest possible smirch , and avoid overhead lachrymation of your farm zinnias to prevent powdery mildew formation .
How do you plant zinnias?
Zinnias can tolerate a miscellany of filth conditions and heat once plant , but give them the best possible start .
If start from semen indoors :
If sowing old maid seeds directly in the earth :
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Can you grow zinnias in containers?
Zinnias maturate very well in containers , as long as they are on a regular basis watered and do not become too rootbound . Be sure to utilize apotting intermixture — not gravid garden soil — to ensure tolerable drainage . Look for smaller container for Thumbelina zinnias .
Watering Zinnias
Although old maid flower are n’t fussy overall , they are prone to powdery mildew , sowater them with care . gazump the grunge , not the plant . Give them regular water supply , water at the soil level , and avoid overhead watering that gets leaf , stems , and flower wet to annul powdery mold or erythema solare . Also fend off overwatering old maid flower , which can contribute to wilting and moulder . Note that aboriginal repeated variety are extremelydrought - tolerantonce found .
Fertilizing Zinnias
one-year zinnias are see heavy feeders . Give them plant food for thought throughout the grow time of year ; an all - purpose garden fertiliser works well , such as a 10 - 10 - 10 . lend oneself it according to the focusing on the fertiliser . Container plant may take more frequent dressing . Consider fertilizing zinnias with a H2O - solubleplant food , but never apply it to dry soil .
Pruning Zinnias
Zinnia flowers tend to last for weeks , and sometimes for months at a time . Deadhead zinnia flowerswhen they start to look faded , and handpick damaged leaves . Native zinnias ( Z. acerosaandZ. grandiflora ) reseed and distribute , so they only require shearing of fade leave-taking to reappear in late spring .
Propagating Zinnias
Zinnias can be propagate from seed and uprise directly in the ground or indoors 4 to 6 workweek before planting . They are relatively promiscuous to grow from seeded player , and you may gather seeds from languish bloom if you like . Just mind that many varieties will not bloom true to seed , so to ascertain their accurate color and appearance , you are respectable off corrupt a novel semen packet of that variety each year .
Propagating a zinnia from a bow cuttingis more like a clone of the plant life , but it call for some work . opt a bow that is not flowering but has several Seth of leaves , making a diagonal snub just below the lowest set . Then , dispatch the lower leafage and submerge the base in warm water out of verbatim sunshine . Regularly change the water , and expect antecedent in about a week . Plant the rooted stem in a container fill up withsterile potting mix or straight in the ground .
Safety Considerations
Zinnias are nontoxic to qat , dogs , and horses , as well as humans . pollinator , including butterfly , bee , and hummingbirds , adore them .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Zinnias are prostrate to powdery mildew . To help prevent this , water only at the soil level and avoid scram leaves and stem sloshed . Do not water zinnias from overhead , and reduce them as postulate to give them atmosphere circulation . at times , zinnia can be prostrate to riffle spot .
Overall , zinnias are resistant to many pests and disease , butaphids , whiteflies , andspider miteswill prey upon plant that may be stress and under - water during the hot weather . ante up aid to watering on raging days to assist keep this tension . Hosing these pesterer off is usually enough to discourage them . Zinnias are also deer- andrabbit - resistant .
Looking for more coloured blossom for garden beds and containers ? Check out our guide on growingdahlia , hibiscus , andmilkweed .
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Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
