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Z in n ia s
may start witha“z,’
buttheybelongatthetopofthe
g a r d e n a lp h a b e t. Great for beginners,
this annual is on our A-list of the simplest
flowers to grow from seeds. Just
wait for the soil to warm in
spring, toss in a handful
of seeds, and stand
back—you’ll have seedlings within
a week and blooms by June or July, when
summer heat fuels their nonstop flower
power. Only frost can end the show.
Select dwarf types (10-18 inches
tall), such as ‘Thumbelina’ and
‘Swizzle’ to edge beds or fill small
pots; medium-size varieties (18-24
inches tall), including ‘Lilliput’ and
‘Green Envy’ to grow in large
containers or the middle of your
garden; or giants (2
1
/
2
-4 feet tall),
such as ‘Blue Point’ and ‘Zowie
Yellow Flame’ to add drama to the
back of a border. For vases,
‘Benary’s Giant’ and ‘Peppermint
Stick’ are a cut above the rest.
Powdery mildew (an
unsightly gray powder on
foliage) can be a problem for zinnias where
summers are humid. Reduce the risk by follow-
ing recommended plant spacing (found on the
back of the seed packet) to promote good air
circulation and by keeping leaves dry
when you water. Or select one of the
disease-resistant hybrids, including
‘Blue Point’, ‘Profusion’, and ‘Star’.
Zinnias
Zinnia
spp.
ANNUAL, PLANT IN
SPRING OR SUMMER
HEIGHT
1 0
- 4
8
'
1 3 6
MAY 2010
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
WATER
SUN
CONTAINER COLOR
Compact zinnias, such as
the bushy, 12- to 18-inch
‘Zahara Yellow’,
above,
are
ideal for large pots. Other
great pot varieties include
‘Crystal White’, ‘Lilliput’,
and ‘Thumbelina Mix’.
b u t te r fly m a g n e t s
Want to attract winged
visitors to your garden?
Zinnias serve a steady
supply of nectar that
caters to butterflies.
‘Profusion Orange’,
above,
is a favorite.
GROOM AND BLOOM
To prolong blooming,
snip off faded flowers,
above,
before they form
seeds. Don’t want to
deadhead? ‘Profusion’
zinnias are self-cleaning.
L ii'V
