Botanical Name:
Zinnia
Life Cycle:
annual
Planting Time:
spring
Height:
6" to 4'
Exposure:
full sun
Soil:
average to rich, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
n/a
Bloom Time:
early summer to early fall
Flower:
variety of bright colors including yellow, orange, fuchsia, red, white and pink
Foliage:
green
Propagation:
seeds
Suggested Use:
beds, borders, cut flowers, mass plantings, containers, and fillers
Growing Hints:
Sow seeds directly outdoors where you want them to grow as soon as soil has warmed up, or start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. If starting indoors, sow seeds into individual peat pots (3" pots for tall varieties) to reduce root disturbance during transplanting. Transplant seedlings outdoors when temperatures stay above 50º F in 4 to 12 inch intervals depending on variety. Taller varieties may need to be staked.
Interesting Facts:
Now one of the most popular bedding plants, zinnias were originally grown as wildflowers native to the southwest United States, Mexico and Central America. They also attract butterflies.