Easy annuals that will bring your summer garden alive with colorBy Linda Hagen
Photo by: Unverdorben Jr / Shutterstock.
One of the easiest annuals to grow, zinnia flowers bring an explosion of color wherever they go. The show lasts from late spring until the first frost in fall. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the cheery flowers that bloom in nearly every bright color imaginable. They grow quickly and reliably, making them a great choice for first-time flower growers. Add in their low maintenance requirements and the variety of sizes and shapes, and you can’t lose.
On this page: The Basics | Planting Zinnia Seeds | Care | Pictures | Zinnias In Your Garden
- THE BASICS
- PLANTING ZINNIA SEEDS
- CARE
- PICTURES
- ZINNIAS IN YOUR GARDEN
THE BASICS
Zones:
Annual. Zinnias are appropriate for seasonal use in all zones.
Height/Spread:
Varies by type. There are dwarf varieties 6 to 12 inches tall and wide, and others grow up to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.
Exposure:
Full sun
Bloom Time:
Late spring until first frost, but may show a slow-down in blooming at the peak of heat in summer.
Color:
Flowers bloom in shades of orange, pink, purple, red, white and yellow and there are also bi-color and tri-color varieties. Leaves are pale to mid-green.
Characteristics:
Zinnias come in a wide variety of flower shapes with stars, daisies, dahlias, spiders, buttons, domes, and quill-leaf cactus shapes. Within those shapes, there are also singles, semi-doubles and doubles.
Toxicity:
Zinnias are safe to plant around animals because they are non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
PLANTING ZINNIA SEEDS
When to plant:
As long as there is no further threat of frost, zinnias can be planted any time through the end of June. In fact, it’s a great idea to plant multiple rounds at 2- to 3-week intervals up until the end of June for non-stop blooming into fall.
Where to plant:
Locate your zinnias in an area that will get at least 6 hours of sun each day and where there is well-draining soil.
How to plant:
Zinnias are best started from seed and can be sown directly in the garden after the threat of frost has passed. If you’d like to get a jump on them and start earlier indoors, try peat pots or other containers that can be planted directly in the ground, as zinnias can be a bit finicky when transplanted. Sow seeds ¼-inch deep and follow spacing directions on seed package. Give them sunshine and water and you’ll have seedlings popping up in 4 to 7 days. Thin the seedlings to spacing of 6 to 18 inches (depending on variety) by snipping at the soil line with scissors. (Tip: Pulling out seedlings can disturb the roots of those left behind.) Zinnias grow quickly and you’ll have beautiful bright blooms in about 60 days.
Video from Bethany @chicagogardener
CARE
Pruning:
For taller varieties that you’d like to use for cut flowers, Floret Flower Farms recommends snipping out the center flower when the plants are about 18 inches tall, and although it “feels pretty counterintuitive at the time, it will encourage plants to begin branching low and ultimately produce much longer stems.” Spent blooms should be deadheaded to encourage and prolong further flowering.
Soil:
While zinnias aren’t particularly picky about their soil, they do prefer it to be fertile, humus-rich, well-drained and with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.
Amendments & Fertilizer:
Add compost to the area where zinnias will be planted to enrich the soil. An occasional light dose of a well-balanced fertilizer can be applied, but isn’t always necessary.
Watering:
Water regularly, for a total of about 1 inch per week. Although they can tolerate dry conditions, they will do much better with consistent moisture in the soil. Keep excess moisture away from the foliage by watering at the base of the plant; this will help keep your plant healthy and prevent disease.
Propagation:
Seeds are easy to save by letting the flowers dry completely on the stem. Remove seeds by lightly crushing the dried seed head. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for planting next spring. Keep in mind, however, that seeds saved from hybrid plants may not develop true to the parent plant.
Diseases and Pests:
Bacterial and fungal spots, powdery mildew and bacterial wilt can all be troublesome for zinnias. Keeping the foliage dry and providing good air circulation will go a long way toward prevention. Zinnias can also be host to caterpillars, mealybugs and spider mites. It’s best to remove caterpillars by hand, but mealybugs and spider mites can be treated with insecticidal soap. Try cultivars from the Profusion series for increased resistance to powdery mildew.
Other:
Zinnias are deer resistant and may even help protect other plants located next to them.
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PICTURES
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Photo courtesy of All America Selections.
Zinnia elegans ‘Queeny Lime Orange’
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 6 to 12 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer to frost
Color: Shades of lime, yellow, peach, salmon and orange
The 2 to 4-inch dahlia-like flowers bloom all season long on this sturdy, compact plant.
Photo courtesy of All America Selections.
Zinnia Profusion Double Deep Salmon
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 14 inches tall, 24 inches wide, mounded
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
Color: Salmon
The 2-1/2 to 3-inch double flowers bloom continuously from spring to frost. The Profusion series is self-cleaning and has improved disease resistance to mildew.
Photo courtesy of All America Selections.
Zinnia Profusion Double Hot Cherry
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 14 inches tall, 24 inches wide, mounded
Exposure: Shade, partial sun, full sun
Bloom Time: Spring to frost
Color: Red
These heat-loving annuals bloom profusely (hence, the name) from spring until frost and are available in multiple colors
Photo courtesy of All America Selections.
Zinnia marylandica Double Zahara Cherry
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 12 to 14 inches tall
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Color: Red
The Zahara series boasts superior disease resistance and heat tolerance. Available in solid or bicolor varieties that bloom with 2-1/2-inch flowers.
Photo courtesy of All America Selections.
Zinnia marylandica Double Zahara Fire
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 16 to 20 inches tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring to frost
Color: Scarlet-orange
The intermediate size of the Zahara series makes it perfect for mid-level planting or containers.
Photo courtesy of All America Selections.
Zinnia marylandica Zahara Starlight Rose
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 12 to 14 inches tall and wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Summer
Color: White with rose stripes
This bicolor variety blooms on a compact, bushy plant with little maintenance.
Photo by: RM Floral / Alamy Stock Photo.
Zinnia elegans Dreamland Series Coral
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 6 to 12 inches tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Bloom Time: Late spring to frost
Color: Coral (shown), apricot, pink, rose, yellow, ivory, red and scarlet.
Rugged and weather-tolerant, the Dreamland series has large, long-lasting blooms that come in 8 colors.
Photo by: Shaikh Meraj / Shutterstock.
Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant Golden Yellow'
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring to frost
Color: Golden yellow (shown), deep red, orange, carmine rose, coral, lime, wine, purple, bright pink, white, salmon rose, and scarlet.
The Benary’s Giants have large, double blossoms, 4 to 6 inches across, available in a rainbow of colors and features improved mildew resistance.
Photo by: Shaikh Meraj / Shutterstock.
Zinnia elegans Magellan Yellow
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 12 to 18 inches tall and 8 to 12 inches wide
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring to frost
Color: Yellow (shown), cherry red, ivory and orange
Fully double flowers bloom all summer on this heat-loving zinnia.
Photo by: Carolyn Jenkins / Alamy Stock Photo.
Zinnia angustifolia ‘Star Orange’
Zones: Annual
Height/Spread: 14 inches tall, 8 inches wide, mounded
Exposure: Full sun
Bloom Time: Spring to frost
Color: Orange
This compact zinnia grows quickly and has single flowers. It is heat, humidity and drought tolerant.
ZINNIAS IN YOUR GARDEN
- Incorporate different varieties in a mixed border for a mixture of heights and colors.
- Use smaller, dwarf varieties in window boxes, along edging, and in containers.
- Plant near patios and walkways to enjoy the butterflies and hummingbirds that will visit.
- Sow seeds in 2- to 3-week increments for blooming flowers spring through fall.
- Long strong stems make them perfect for cut flower arrangements. Cut the stems at an angle above a bud joint and strip the stems of any foliage before placing in water.
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