Zinnias are tender annuals that
all gardeners love because they make a great show and are easy to grow. Zinnia
is a genus of plants of the sunflower tribe within the daisy family, native to
scrub and dry grassland in come in a variety of bright colors. The genus name
honors German master botanist Johann Gottfried Zinnia. Zinnias are annuals,
shrubs, and sub-shrubs native primarily to North America, with a few species in
South America.
Flowers are flat or rounded heads
of petals, like overlapping scales, in every color except blue. The height and
flower sizes may vary. However, modern hybrids are derived from Zinnia elegans,
Z. angustiflia and Z. haageana, and range in height from 12 inches to 3 feet.
Large, tall zinnias such as the Zenith strain or the California Giants are good
for the back of the garden. Cut and Come again, zinnias are bushy plants of
moderate height that are full of button like flowers and bloom all the more if
cut. Thumbelina zinnias grow about 6 inches high and all bloom until frost, and
none need staking.
Moreover, to grow zinnia you can
sow seeds indoors about 4 weeks before the last frost and set out in moist,
fairly rich soil 8 to 18 inches apart depending on the size of the variety.
Large zinnias will not branch properly if planted too closely. Too close
planting may also lead to mildew. Use peat pots since they do not like to be
transplanted. Since zinnias germinate and grow so quickly. It is also possible
to sow them directly in the garden after danger of frost. Leaves may mildew,
but this will not affect bloom. If the mildew bothers you, use a fungicide.
Water in drought,, but try to keep water off the leaves, since this can make
the mildew worse. Zinnias are warm weather plants and make excellent long
lasting cut flowers.
