Taller varieties, which reach several feet high, make a great choice for cut flowers. Rid zinnias of these pests by spraying with insecticidal soap, following product label ⦠Cover seeds with 1/4 inch of soil and keep soil moist until plants are established. You can plant zinnia seeds yourself or you can buy zinnia plants in a pack from your local plant nursery or a garden center. I decided to grow my zinnias along the edge of my patio. Thin out the seedlings, so you end up with one plant every 12in (30cm) or ⦠Old zinnia plants are susceptible to fungal disease, although they will still bloom successfully if affected. In fact, they're one of the best flowers that smart gardeners can put to work in their gardens. Taller zinnias make great backdrops for flower gardens. Thin to 8 to 18 inches apart, depending upon the variety, once the plant has grown four leaves. Water: Plant in well-drained soil Plant dwarf zinnia seeds, which can grow as short as 10-inches tall. The sky is the limit when growing these garden stunners. Light: Full sun. #gardening #gardenideas #garden #flowergarden #growingflowers #marthastewart. Many zinnia make great choices for the cutting garden. Caring and Reseeding of Zinnias. Zinnias work ⦠Plant some giant zinnias, which can reach up to 4 feet tall. Early, big, long-lasting blooms. Zinnias come in a range of shape types, including varieties that resemble daisies or dahlias, tight blossoms in beehive shapes, small button blooms, and large floppy blossoms. Flowers can be daisy-like, double, cactus ⦠For hot and sunny areas, you can't beat a festive combination of 'Victoria Blue' salvia, 'First Kiss Orchid Halo' annual vinca, and white narrow-leaf zinnia. When choosing to grow Zinnias, start with your purpose for this colorful flower. They are at home in cottage and childrenâs gardens, and they are often grown in cutting gardens. Zinniaâs are also known for being a great easy cut flower and showcase well in a vase or mason jar. Zinnias ( Zinnia elegans ) are among the easiest annuals a gardener could plant.These fast-growing flowers come in a vast range of colors and light up your garden beds in summer and fall. They can be sown in a container where it will grow or out in the ground. Well-drained soil is important because zinnia seedlings can be prone to rotting in cool, wet soils. "Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow because seeds require only basic garden preparation to sprout and the plants ⦠Soil: Zinnias grow best on fertile, well-drained soils high in organic matter. These sap-sucking insects love to suck the juice from the Zinnias plant by boring holes into the leaves and stems. Zinnias are a full-sun loving plant and will bloom best when it receives 6+ hours of sunshine a day. Learn more here. These easy to grow plants produce beautiful, ⦠Zinnia Tips and Companion Plants. Zinnia angustifolia is another Aphids. Shorter zinnia varieties are ideal for containers. Here are a few last tips for growing zinnias, plus some ideas of what to plant them with: To keep the show going all summer, stagger your zinnia plantings. As a quick, easy annual, you can tuck zinnias around other plants or make a full zinnia patch. Problems Planting Zinnias. The colors range from pale to vibrant, in an assortment of just about every color except blue. Choose your favorite zinnia varieties. Such pests can slow plant growth and flower development. Plant zinnias in mixed plantings with other summer-blooming annuals, or place small groups of zinnias among perennials. Plus, cutting the flowers just encourages the plant to produce more! Use the dead heads as a mulch around established plants. Whiteflies and soft-bodied, yellowish aphids also can harm flower production. Read how to keep zinnias happy and when to best plant these gardening favorites. Layer your large flower beds. Zinnia is a genus of the family Asteraceae, containing about 20 species of annual and perennial plants, native primarily to North America, with a few species in South America. Both are large petals to contrast the tiny petals of marigold, zinnias and cosmos. These tough-as-nails plants require almost no maintenance. Zinnias fit the bill on all three counts. Once my seedlings were ready, I carefully scooped each out with my hand shovel and placed them in a small hole I made. They are light feeders, but a periodic dose of fertilizer will help them retain their green foliage and produce more ⦠Zinnia plants are started from seeds. Share on Facebook Tweet this page. Not only are they easy to start, but zinnias are fast-growing, as well (quick results are important for short attention spans). Zinnias like full sun so plant them in an area where they get sun after the last frost date for your area. Zinniaâs are a great frugal flower to plant in your garden if you have an August wedding. Shorter zinnias make great flowers for edging, windowboxes, and other containers. In fact, planting the seeds is a perfect project to do with your children. Starting Zinnia Seeds. Plant zinnias in full sun, in soil that is well-drained, loose, fertile, and rich in organic matter. ⦠Zinnias grow best in warm locations that receive sunshine. Another great ⦠5. They do require some maintenance, however, and are not self-cleaning. There are dwarf varieties and tall varieties that will grow up to 4 ft. tall. You can start with transplants and then sow seeds every 2-3 weeks to make sure you have continuous blooms through the fall. Zinnias famously hate root disturbance, so it is best to sow directly into freely drained soil with a fine tilth.Sow two or three seeds 2in (5cm) apart at 12in (30cm) spacing. Flowers: Wide variety of bold colored, rounded flowers. Tallest plants in middle (or back if against a wall or something) Holly hocks are very tall and beautiful. Dahlia-Flowered Zinnias sport large blooms and reach heights of 30-40" tall, while the Cut and Come Again Mix showcases a rainbow of colors on slightly shorter plants. Zinnias in pots can look just as lovely, if not more so, than those planted in beds. Use drip irrigation rather than spraying ⦠The plants are native to North America, and are less finicky about soil and water than many plants of the same type. It's the foliage that gets powdery mildew. Zinnias love the heat (74-84 degrees) and will bloom continuously in the summer months. How to Plant Zinnia Seeds. Zinnias are so easy to grow from seed, whether you start them in a greenhouse, in your kitchen, or outdoors. Plantlings⢠100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Gladiolas. Sow Zinnias seeds 1/4 ⦠When damage is done to both the Zinnia leaves and stem, Aphids are most likely the insects eating your Zinnias. Zinnias are easy to grow and, with a one-season lifespan, you can collect seeds after the flower cycle has ended for future plantings and seasons. Fertilize the zinnias with a 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer, once every two weeks. And more. Zinnias should be started from seed. Also, you can spray insecticides with imidacloprid on infested plants to kill the earwigs. Its leaves are lance-shaped and sandpapery in texture, and height ranges from 15 cm to 1 meter. Advice on which plants to combine with cosmos in the garden, including dahlias, zinnias and calendula, from the experts at BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. "They are great for hot summer weather and gardeners in warmer climates," explains Dr. Gladys Mbofung-Curtis, a garden expert at Garden Safe. Pests and diseases on Zinnias. Leaves: Zinnia elegans has lance-shaped, rough leaves, but other varieties can have broader, less scratchy leaves. Zinnias are popular as a stand-alone plant, or can be used as a complementary addition to a complete flower garden design. One bright blossom appears on each stem about two months after planting. Try putting in some pinks, impatiens and petunias at the front edges. Plant Zinniaâs outdoors after the last frost date. Zinnias grown in the shade are often leggy and susceptible to mildew. 138. Along with being beautiful and easy to grow, zinnias are also heat- and drought-tolerant. Zinnias flower profusely from late spring until early winter if picked for an indoor display or deadheaded continually. There are so many different varieties of zinnias to choose from that are ⦠Seeds of zinnia flowers have to be directly sown. Plant zinnias in rich soil amended with compost and organic fertilizer. Plantlings⢠are baby plants delivered straight from our nursery to your home. WHEN TO PLANT ZINNIAS. In summer, gardening requires plants with three key qualities: low maintenance (it's hot out there), heat and drought tolerance (ditto), and brilliant colorâthe brighter the better. Article by Martha Stewart Living. Available in several varieties, the zinnia (Zinnia) is found U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 9 through 11. Zinnias grow with each flower on its own stem, so they are perfect cutting flowers. Zinnias are colorful additions to any flower garden, theyâre great for cutting, they are easy to grow and start from seed, so they make a great choice for container gardening. Flowers come in vivid colours from red, orange and deep pink to green, with a lovely long flowering season from ⦠I cleared the ground of weeds and debris. Zinnias can attract a few pests, including Japanese beetles and foliage-chewing caterpillars. Zinnias donât need supplemental fertilizer throughout the season. Low-growing zinnias are perfect for borders. Zinnias do not like getting their leaves wet. Spacing: Plant zinnia seeds a few inches apart in rows or clumps. Youâll need to space seeds or thin plants 6â- 18â apart depending on the variety you purchase. The best annuals to plant in full sun are varieties that stand up to heat. Zinnias, which come in myriad shapes, sizes, and colors (excluding blue), are some of the toughest annuals you can plant. Very short ⦠Along with being beautiful and easy to grow, zinnias are also heat- and drought-tolerant. Zinnias love the heat (74-84 degrees) and will bloom continuously in the summer months. Make sure the zinnias receive at least 4 hours of sunlight each day. I then laid a thin layer of ground soil on top of the soil already there. Zinnia liebmannii â Philactis zinnioides; Zinnia elegans, also known as Zinnia violacea, is the most familiar species, originally from the warm regions of Mexico being a warmâhot climate plant. We want you to be completely satisfied with your ⦠Grow Zinnias in the Ground. The most popular species is âZinnia elegansâ, originated in Mexico. One plant can grow up to 12-18 inches wide, with multiple flowers on long stems. Need a low growing flower with simple yet colorful petals? Enjoy the elegance of these flowers in red, pink, yellow and white. Ready to plant, easy to grow, strong and healthy. You can transplant them from a local garden center but they wonât thrive as well and Zinnias are so easy to grow from seed. Give zinnias plenty of sun. Zinnias are mostly annual plants, popular because of the colourful, daisy-like flowers.Native to Mexico, there are 18 species and hundreds of cultivated forms, which are grown as annual bedding plants. 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