Description
Zinnia is an annual of the daisy family (Asteraceae). It comes from Mexico. The plants are 30–100 cm tall. The stems are upright, branched and covered with short hairs; the side shoots are longer than the main stem. The leaves are heart- to egg-shaped and rough.
Zinnias flower from the end of June to October. The side shoots end in flower heads 5–14 cm across on straight, hollow stalks. The ray florets are stiff, covered with velvety hairs, purple in the species and white, yellow, orange, salmon pink or scarlet in various shades in garden varieties. The disc florets in the centre of the head are yellow, with velvety-haired teeth.
Requirements
Zinnias need humus-rich, nutrient-rich, sufficiently moist soil and a sunny, warm position.
Propagation
Sow seeds in April in a heated cold frame and plant out in the final position in May, 30 × 40 cm apart.
Care
Prick out the seedlings when they have formed their first true leaf, 5 x 5 cm apart or singly into pots. Plant out in the final position in the last ten days of May, 30 x 15–20 cm apart.
When plants get sick
The plant can be affected by leaf spot and grey mould; pests include the black bean aphid and cutworms.