Zinnias make great bedding plants as they are easy to grow and will provide months of colour. They were cultivated by the Aztecs and can definitely be described as sun-lovers. The 'Dahlia Flowered' cultivars are an heirloom zinnia, which was first introduced in the early 1900's. It produces flat-faced, tightly packed flowerheads (10 - 15cm across) throughout summer in a wide range of bright colours. They make excellent cut flowers and will encourage bees.
Growing instructions:
For early flowers, sow under glass in early spring. Fill a seed tray or pot with good quality compost and space the seeds at 2.5cm intervals and just cover with a sprinkling of compost. Water moderately and when the seedlings are large enough to handle pot on and harden off before planting outside. Alternatively sow thinly outside in a sunny bed after all risk of frost has passed. Thin to 25cm as they grow on. Sowing several batches with a couple of weeks in between each will ensure the flowering period stretches from early summer to the first frosts.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.75m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost