Easy to grow and reliable, zinnias are bright butterfly magnets that have a long
history as favorite flowers of American home gardeners. Indeed, we tend to take
these popular flowers for granted, perhaps thinking them too ordinary, stiff or
garish or simply not very exciting. I think that once more gardeners are
familiar with the diversity of zinnia flower forms, petal shapes, plant heights
and the allure of the rainbow color palette now available, they will share my
new excitement about these familiar garden companions.
Zinnias are natives of the New World and were probably cultivated in Aztec
gardens along with dahlias, sunflowers and morning glories before the Spanish
conquest of Mexico. They were named 1763 by Linnaeus in honor of Johann Zinn, a
German professor of botany and medicine. The first double forms were introduced
in France in 1856. Zinnias became popular in the US in the late 19th and early
20th century and many familiar forms were bred here including the first cactus
flowering and striped varieties. In the Victorian language of flowers, zinnias
meant "thoughts of an absent friend."
All Renee's Garden Seed Zinnias
To purchase these and other
Renee's Garden Seeds,
Zinnias are certainly among the easiest flowers for anyone, whether just
beginning or experienced in gardening, to germinate and grow directly from seed.
Their easy culture, heat tolerance and colorful mid to late summer show,
blooming hard when other annuals are spent, make them well worth exploring.
Zinnias make superb long-stemmed cutting flowers with long-lasting blooms. I
love planting bright zinnias mixes near other later summer flowers like
and if you have zinnias, you will be inviting butterflies to visit your garden!
Zinnias Elegans is the well-known species with the most modern cultivars in a
wide variety of plant heights, flower sizes, flower forms and colors. As these
vibrant flowers mature, their center discs open into a circle of tiny golden
stars. Today, thanks to active breeders, there is just about every imaginable
flower form: dahlia- flowered, quilled, crested, ball or pompon-like, single,
semi double, fully double. Z. elegans come in every color and some bi-colors
except true blue. Color choices are so broad that you can choose from all the
way from deep, intensely bright shades to soft, creamy pastels and white.
Bi-Colors and striped and speckled varieties are also available. Heights range
from 8 inches to almost 4 feet tall. Zinnias Elegans have also been hybridized
to increase their resistance to disease and give more weather tolerance.
Z. Elegans -- dahlia flowered:
"Benaryâ" Giants" ( "Blue Point") are the #1 florist choice for cut
flowers. Bred and introduced by the Dutch about 10 years ago, these garden beauties have long, strong stems on multi-branching plants that reach 3 to 4
feet tall. Flowers are fully double with densely filled petals that look almost
beaded and are available in 12 sparking colors. They have better mildew
resistance than older large dahlia- flowered mixes, are especially
attractive to butterflies, and make beautiful in bouquets. These are available in many single colors such as "Apricot
Blush", and also in custom blends such as "Hot Crayon Colors" which combines
bright yellow, citrus orange and rich red, "Cool Crayon Colors", which
combines lavender, carmine-rose, soft pink and white,
which blends apricot blush with unusual, vivid chartreuse or "Berry Basket",
with grape, pink, rose and raspberry shades.
"Envy" This zinnia variety belongs in every flower arranger's garden. It's
vivid unusual chartreuse color sets off brighter summer flowers and harmonizes
equally well with soft pastels. The old heirloom cultivar did not have good
color or reliable flower form , but the Benary's Giant selection called "Green
Envy" is much improved with truly double, many petaled green flowers on long
"Pumila" or "Cut And Come Again" This old favorite's name reflects its almost
continuous bloom for several months. Fully double and semi double, 2 to 3 inch
flowers. This well- branched heirloom variety has been exceptional color range
including many pastels. Plants reach about 3-31/2 feet tall. While they are not
particularly disease resistant, these old-fashioned zinnias have a lovely
rounded blossom form and many stems for cutting.
Z. Elegans -- cactus flowered:
Tall, 3-4 foot cactus flower zinnias have semi double,4 to 6 inch, slightly
curved and twisted petals making them resemble quilled chrysanthemums. They
usually come in mixes of bright colors including canary yellow, golden, orange,
crimson, scarlet, apricot, coral, carmine, lilac, rose, pink and white.
"Raggedy Anne" An exuberant mix of these old-fashioned large quilled flowers in
radiant shades that make especially nice bouquets.
Zinnia haageana This more diminutive species is most often available as a bi
-color mix.The oldest heirloom variety is
Persian Carpet, a mix of many singles, semi
doubles and doubles. It comes in a mosaic of chestnut, mahogany, bronze, orange,
and rust, with contrasting circles or picotee edges of yellow and cream that
create a rich tapestry of color. These lovely flowers are multi-branching and
low growing, reaching 12- 18 inches tall and make charming little bouquets.
Zinnias need warmth to germinate and grow easily. To start early indoors: In
cold-weather climates, you can get a head start on the season by starting
zinnias from seed indoors four to five weeks before the last spring frost date.
Sow seeds 1/2" deep and 3 inches apart in a container of moist but not soggy
seed starting mix. Keep warm and moist, fertilize with half strength liquid
fertilizer every 10 days and provide a strong light source until seedlings are
ready to plant outside when spring night temperatures rise above 50Â° both day
To start directly in the garden: In both cold and mild winter climates, wait
until when all danger of frost has passed, days and nights are evenly on the
50-55° range and weather is warm and settled. Remember: if is too cold, zinnias
simply won't germinate or tender seedlings may suffer from damping off and die,
so it's just not worth trying to start them too early. In the right conditions,
seeds germinate quickly and once seedlings are up and well established, they
will grow rapidly and bloom abundantly all across the country.
Sow seeds in well worked, fertile garden soil in full sun. Space seeds 2 to 3
inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Cover 1/2" deep and gently firm soil. Keep
soil evenly moist while awaiting germination which takes five to 10 days. When
seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to stand 10 -12 inches apart;
adequate spacing gives plants room to grow and provides the good air circulation
zinnias need to keep plants productive and disease free and producing an
abundance of flowers.
If you live in an area with long summers that don't get too humid, you can plant
zinnias in the spring for summer flowers and then sow again at midsummer for
bountiful fall blooms.
Cut flowers as blossoms first begin to open and petals are tight for longest
vase life. Cut flowers often to enjoy lavish bouquets indoors and give away as
gifts because the more flowers you cut, the more the plants will produce for a
long season of bloom. Feed plants with a good well-balanced flower fertilizer
every few weeks for best flower production and keep evenly watered. Cut long
stems well back into the plant, to keep plants branching low and producing the
best blooms. Strip off the leaves so flowers last longer in a vase. A good
floral preservative can increase vase life for cut zinnias.
One of the most common diseases to afflict zinnias is powdery mildew, especially
in hot areas with humid summers. If this is a serious problem, plant the most
disease resistant varieties (the new hybrids are especially good here) and be
scrupulous about providing full sun, adequate spacing and air circulation
between plants. Avoid overhead watering if at all possible. The powdery mildew
fungus begins to show up in zinnia plantings during late summer. One favorite
remedy is to use one tablespoon of baking soda to one gallon of water and spray
it directly on the leaves and other parts of the affected plant. Weekly spraying
thereafter should provide control.
In very wet weather, viral diseases can be a problem. If only the leaves are
discolored, remove them when cutting so you can still enjoy the flowers in a
vase. Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails by using one of the new nontoxic
controls. If marauding birds , find young seedlings attractive, use bird netting
until seedlings are four to 5 inches tall.