One of my favorite annuals is the zinnia. In my central Texas garden the zinnia seems to be a super butterfly magnet.
Zinnias and Butterfly at Hensel Park Garden
Zinnias have humble beginnings as a native plant in the southern US and Mexico. The story goes that the Spanish explorers in Mexico named the native zinnias “mal de ojos” which translates to “sickness of the eye”. In the 18th century they received their name, for the German botanist Dr. Johann Gottfried Zinn who wrote the first scientific account of the flower. Members of the daisy family, zinnias began to take their more familiar form and multitude of colors in the late 1800s, and gained significant popularity in 1920 with the introduction of the Bodger Seeds Ltd. Dahlia shaped ‘Giant Dahlia’.
Today zinnias come in a wide range of colors (white, pink, orange, yellow, green, red, and purple), sizes (dwarf to giant varieties), and flower forms (single, semi-double, or double). They are available in both seed and transplants, although I have had better heat tolerance in Texas with plants grown from seed. Zinnias reseed readily and are fast growers.
Zinnia in the Rain - Zinnia elegans 'Purple Prince'
Dwarf Yellow Zinnia
Zinnia elegans
Plant facts: Zinna elegans
Type: Annual
Blooming: Summer and Fall
Colors: all but blue
Light requirements: full sun to partial shade
Height: 5 – 40”
Spacing: 9-12”
Hardiness: all zones
Water: regular, do not overwater
Foliage: Soft/Fuzzy Textured
Common problems: mildew
Other: attractive to butterflies
cutting flowers, reseeds readily
Close-up pink Zinnia elegans
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Zinnias have long been a favorite with me. Here’s a link and some pictures from last August: http://thevermontgardener.blogspot.com/2008/08/6-pm-flower-walk.html This year it’s different. You have had 43 days without rain and we have had that many with rain. The zinnias are in poor shape, stunted by the moisture or never germinated at all. By the end of July last year we had thousands in bloom at the farm but this year–pretty sparse. The sunflowers should be three feet tall but are at best 11″ so no water or lots of water often are not positive. Bets wishes for the balance of the season.
George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
Beautiful zinnias you have there….. our zinnias not as sparkling and bright as yours. Very sweet.
~ bangchik
Your zinnias are lovely. Nice blog by the way.
Rosey
Wow!! what a beautiful zinnias… thank you so much for your wonderful blog…