Zinnia
- Phonetic Spelling
- ZIN-ya
- Description
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Zinnias are low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant, and are available in many colors. These popular warm-season annuals in the daisy family are very easy to grow. As well as colors, they come in a wide range of sizes, from 6 inches to 4 feet (1.22 m) tall; with single (single row of petals and a visible center), double (numerous rows of petals, centers not visible) or semi-double blooms (numerous rows of petals with visible centers). Zinnias also come in various shapes, including beehive, button, and cactus.
Depending on the size, they can be used in the front or the back border, in containers, or massed for season-long color. Plant in average well-drained garden soil in full sun. Keep them moist while getting established. Zinnias add color to the garden all season long. Deadhead to encourage more bloom but leave on some seed heads for the birds.
There are multiple varieties or cultivars in the Zinnia family, including the hybrid 'Profusion' Series. A cross between Zinnia angustifolia (disease resistance) and Zinnia elegans (larger flowers) combines the best traits of both including drought tolerance, heat tolerance, humidity tolerance, and low maintenance. The strong, durable foliage resists insects and repels deer and rabbits.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to powdery mildew. Do not crowd them; allow good air circulation.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Mostly Native Vegetable, Herb and Pollinator Garden Vegetable Garden and Pollinator Plants Mostly Native Vegetable, Herb and Pollinator Garden Deck Garden Pond Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Candy Cane'
Double-petaled - 'Dreamland Pink'
Large, long-lasting blooms - 'Green Envy'
Vivid green color - 'Persian Carpet'
Narrow leafed - 'Pop Art'
White or yellow blooms with red streaks - 'Profusion Apricot'
Apricot color, compact habit - 'Profusion Cherry'
Single cherry rose blooms - 'Profusion Coral Pink'
Bushy, dwarf plants 12 in. - 15 in. - 'Profusion Double Cherry'
Red, 2.5 in. -3 in. blooms, 24 in. tall - 'Profusion Double Golden'
Double, golden blooms - 'Profusion Fire'
Bushy, dwarf plants 12 in. - 15 in. - 'Profusion Orange'
Single orange blooms, 18 in. - 'Profusion White'
White flowers - 'Zahara Fire'
Double flowers, orange flowers
- 'Candy Cane'
- 'Candy Cane', 'Dreamland Pink', 'Green Envy', 'Persian Carpet', 'Pop Art', 'Profusion Apricot', 'Profusion Cherry', 'Profusion Coral Pink', 'Profusion Double Cherry', 'Profusion Double Golden', 'Profusion Fire', 'Profusion Orange', 'Profusion White', 'Zahara Fire'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Candy Cane'
Double-petaled - 'Dreamland Pink'
Large, long-lasting blooms - 'Green Envy'
Vivid green color - 'Persian Carpet'
Narrow leafed - 'Pop Art'
White or yellow blooms with red streaks - 'Profusion Apricot'
Apricot color, compact habit - 'Profusion Cherry'
Single cherry rose blooms - 'Profusion Coral Pink'
Bushy, dwarf plants 12 in. - 15 in. - 'Profusion Double Cherry'
Red, 2.5 in. -3 in. blooms, 24 in. tall - 'Profusion Double Golden'
Double, golden blooms - 'Profusion Fire'
Bushy, dwarf plants 12 in. - 15 in. - 'Profusion Orange'
Single orange blooms, 18 in. - 'Profusion White'
White flowers - 'Zahara Fire'
Double flowers, orange flowers
- 'Candy Cane'
- 'Candy Cane', 'Dreamland Pink', 'Green Envy', 'Persian Carpet', 'Pop Art', 'Profusion Apricot', 'Profusion Cherry', 'Profusion Coral Pink', 'Profusion Double Cherry', 'Profusion Double Golden', 'Profusion Fire', 'Profusion Orange', 'Profusion White', 'Zahara Fire'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Zinnia
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern North America, South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Nectar from the flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds. Songbirds enjoy the seeds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Defines Paths
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9a, 9b, 10b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Colorful rays surrounding disc flowers. Bloom from early summer to frost
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Lance-shaped and sandpaper-like in texture
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are erect green and herbaceous
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pond
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Rabbits
