did you know?

The showy zinnia is a native of Mexico and Texas. By the eighteenth century, the flower had made its debut in Europe, and by the 1850s, the first double-flowered zinnia had been bred.

general maintenance:

Deadhead to prolong bloom period. Remove entire plants after frost.

pests/diseases:

Caterpillars, mealybugs, spider mites, leaf spot, and powdery mildew may occur.

controls:

Handpick caterpillars. To control mealybugs and spider mites, apply insecticidal soap. To control leaf spot, remove diseased leaves. To control powdery mildew, remove diseased leaves, or apply horticultural-oil spray.

how to sow/plant:

Plant in spring. Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil, and amend with well-rotted manure or compost. Start with new plants or from seed: After last frost, direct sow 1/4 inch deep, and thin seedlings to 18-24 inches apart; set new, young plants at the same depth they were in the pot. Water and mulch upon planting to conserve moisture.

water and fertilize:

Maintain uniform soil moisture. Fertilize weekly with a balanced, soluble fertilizer, following package directions.

garden hint:

Zinnias thrive in heat and don't get going until the soil warms up, so wait until 1?2 weeks after the last frost to transplant.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage

garden uses:

• Containers
• Flowerbed borders

other uses:

• Cut Flower

combine with:

dahlias, cosmos, floss flower ('Blue Horizon'), and mealy-cup sage ('Victoria').