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Zinnia elegans (Zinnia)

Zinnia elegans Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner



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Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans ZIN-ee-ah EL-eh-ganz Common Name: Zinnia Genus: Zinnia
This upright, 30-inch-tall, bushy annual cloaks itself all summer in purple blossoms up to 2 inches across. But more important, it is the forebear of scores of varieties that can be found in almost any place you can buy seeds. There's the Whirligig Series, the California Giants, the Profusion Series, the State Fair Series—the list goes on and on.
 Noteworthy characteristics: These old-fashioned annuals from Mexico produce upright, long-stemmed blossoms in a range of forms (single, semi-double, and double), making them indispensible as cut flowers, as well as in annual displays, herb and cottage gardens, and mixed borders. The smaller flowered cultivars are perfect for edging and naturalized areas.
 Care: Provide fertile, well-drained soil in full sun with good air circulation. Deadhead spent blossoms to continue flowering.
 Propagation: Sow seed (preferably in succession for a longer flowering period) where it is to grow in late spring or at 55°F to 65°F in early spring.
 Problems: Bacterial and fungal spots, bacterial wilt, powdery mildew, Southern blight, stem rots, caterpillars, mealybugs, spider mites.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Fast Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Dry to Medium
Maintenance Moderate
Tolerance Deer Tolerant;Drought Tolerant
Characteristics Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Attracts Hummingbirds; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Summer; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower; Yellow Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Container, Edging, Cut Flower, Suitable as Annual
Style Herb Garden, Cottage Garden, Meadow Garden, Formal Garden
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest
Type Annuals

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