Out
On A Limb / April 2007
A Zest for Zinnias
Candy Cane Mix Zinnias
|
When talking about flowers from A-Z, the Z is always for zinnia. Zinnias were introduced from Mexico in 1800 and have become an all-American favorite. Quick to germinate and easy to grow, zinnias come in a riot of glorious colors and an amazing array of shapes. They can be six inches or three feet tall, with single or double blossoms varying in diameter from an inch to seven inches. They like it hot, don’t mind dry and bloom all summer long. Unequaled as cut flowers, zinnias will produce masses of big, showy semi-ruffled blooms or single, daisy like stems. And, butterflies love zinnias.
The carefree beauties come in so many different shapes, styles, colors and sizes, it’s hard to believe they’re all zinnias. The original plant was a drab, purplish wildflower, Zinnia elegans, native to Mexico and Central America. Close cousin to the daisy, the Zinnia genus was named after 18th-century German botanist Johann Zinn. During the 19th century, European hybridizers successfully developed brightly colored, double and dahlia-flowered forms. When large cactus-flowered zinnias (named for a resemblance to cactus-flowered dahlias, not cacti) were introduced in the 1920’s, zinnia’s popularity took off.
Today, single, double, semidouble or ruffled flower zinnias are available as miniatures, dwarfs or giants, striped or speckled, in solids or bi-colors, with button-type flowers, beehive shaped blooms, cactus-flowered types with quilled rays, anemone forms with broad rays and large flat, dahlia-shaped flowers.
From bright cherry pink to crisp lime green lime to brilliant white, zinnias bloom vibrantly in every color except blue.
Their brilliant hues of red, orange, yellow and purple work equally well in flower borders and flower pots.
Come Again Mix Zinnias
|
Low-growing garden zinnias, 6 to 18 inches tall, bear diminutive names like ‘Thumbelina’‚ ‘Lilliput’‚ ‘Peter Pan’, and Lollipop. Taller garden zinnias include doubles and semi-doubles, like ‘Whirligig’, ‘Sunbow Mix’, ‘Cut and Come Again Mix’, ‘Candy Stripe’, and ‘Envy’, the unique chartreuse-green flower that tolerates shade. For big bloomers, gardeners choose the 30 inch ‘Giant-Flowered Mix’ with 5-inch-wide blooms on long stems, or the 40- to 50-inch-tall Blue Point series.
Many gardeners favor old-fashioned zinnias with single, daisy-like flowers. A common favorite is Z. angustifolia, once favored by the Aztecs, which grows in profusion from June until frost on a bushy, spreading plant about a foot high. A great container plant, Z. angustifolia is drought-tolerant and mildew-resistant, bearing one inch flowers with orange petals.
Thomas Jefferson favored the old-fashioned look of Z. peruviana, like ‘Red Peruvian, with one inch, single blossoms that fade to terra cotta or ‘Yellow Peruvian’ which fades to a soft gold.
Autumnal gardeners enjoy the coppery tones of Z. haageana. ‘Persian Carpet’ bears two-inch double and semi-double flowers on a two foot stem in an array of fall colors and patterns. ‘Old Mexico’ features mahogany petals tipped with gold and grows to about 18 inches.
Zinnias are one of the easier annuals to start from seeds, but they’re sensitive to root disturbance and deeply resent transplanting. Sowing taller varieties in 3 inch peat pots can ease the transition, but in any case, take extra care not to expose the roots. Set out 6-8 week seedlings or sow seeds directly outdoors after the last frost and when the soil has warmed sufficiently. Young plants are susceptible to chilling and won’t grow substantially until temperatures are above 50 degrees. Pinch the tops out of young plants when 4-6 inches high to make them bush and remove faded blossoms to keep them producing. For continuous blooming, re-seed every couple of weeks until midsummer.
Zinnias like long, hot summers, in well drained, rich, loamy soil, with full sun. They’re happy with infrequent watering but don’t tolerate frost. Though prone to powdery mildew, especially without good air circulation, newer varieties, like Blue Point, Oklahoma and Pinwheel series, are resistant. Avoid overhead watering, which spreads mildew spores.
Zinnias are most appealing and more attractive to butterflies when planted as an irregular mass of bright colors. Some zinnias are more attractive to butterflies than others, but ‘Cut and Come Again’ is a good bet to start.
Zinnias add bold color from early summer till first frost. The more they’re cut, the more they bloom. In containers, small zinnias are a cheerful accompaniment to ivy and petunias. Medium-height zinnias blend beautifully with cosmos and dahlias, or contrast dramatically with salvia and larkspur. Tall zinnias are ideal for cutting and good companions for sunflowers and cone flowers. Zinnia’s may be last alphabetically but they are A+ performers all around a garden. PL
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Top • Home • Subscribe • Advertise • Submit • Distribution • Contact
Support Our Advertisers • Organization Resources • Women Owned Business
Designed by Livewire Studio
Send an Email About This Article