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Shortray Zinnia Zinnia anomala

Phonetic Spelling
ZIN-ya ah-NOM-uh-luh
Description

Shortray zinnia is a deciduous, herbaceous perennial or annual in the Asteraceae (Daisy) family. The plant is a native to western Texas and northern Mexico.  It is considered a sub shrub, a low-growing woody perennial having a woody base. The genus, Zinnia, is named in honor of Johann Gottfried Zinn, a German botanist.

Growing only 8 inches tall. shortray zinnia needs full sun and soil that is occasionally dry or in very dry conditions. It can only be propagated by seed and should be planted less than 12 inches apart. This plant produces only one flower head per branch, each head containing about 7 to 20 gold or yellow rays. It blooms in the fall, spring, and summer months. 

This variety of zinnia is not one that is readily available for purchase for your garden.  However, if you are able to secure this plant, it is a hardy specimen, accustomed to flourishing in the most adverse conditions. It is also a photoautotroph, an organism that is capable of transforming light into chemical energy.

Shortray zinnia can be grown in containers, naturalized areas, or on slopes. This plant does well in mass plantings in drought tolerant, native, and rock gardens. It can be found growing along open, rocky roadsides and other disturbed sites. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Mounding
  • Multi-stemmed
  • Green leaves with gold or yellow stems.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common zinnia insect pests and diseases.

 VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#low maintenance#slopes#mass planting#herbaceous#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#naturalized area#gray-green leaves#border front#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#low maintenance#slopes#mass planting#herbaceous#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#naturalized area#gray-green leaves#border front#dry soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Zinnia
    Species:
    anomala
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Texas, Mexico
    Distribution:
    TX
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Textural
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Just over 1" in length, the leaves are very narrow. Leaves have from 1 to 3 nerves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi stemmed
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil