FLOWER/PLANT OF THE WEEK: ZINNIAS

​I happily “met” Zinnias about 8 years ago while I was attending a football game at a school in Frederick, Maryland. I was immediately in love with what I saw.
 
As I was enjoying the huge Zinnia garden in front of the school, a woman approached me to talk about these flowers.  I told her that I did not know what they were. She told me that she was an avid gardener and gave me an educational session about them. Then, she stepped in the garden, grabbed few dead flowers in various colors and said, “there, now you can save these seeds in an air tight container and plant them at home next year, enjoy them furiously and don’t forget to share your flower seeds with others to keep the joy of these beauties alive.
 
She was right, I followed her directions and I have been enjoying Zinnias ever since.
 
Now, I want to share with you how easy it is to grow them and how nice they will look in your gardens as well as cut flowers throughout your home. Now, later on don’t forget to share your seeds with others, SMILE!
 
PLANT INFORMATION
 
Annual: It will not survive winters.
Hardiness: They go from seed-to-flower-to seed every year.
Drought Tolerant: Yes
Butterflies and Hummingbirds Magnets: Yes
Maintenance: Low, just deadhead to produce more flowers.
Deer Resistant: All materials that I have read claims that Zinnias are deer resistant.     
Plant in Full Sun: Yes
Plant in Shade: No
Bloom Time: From mid-summer until frost.     
Color: Come in all colors, including bi-colors and tri-colors, except blue.
Size: The dwarf kind grows from 6”- 8” height and the regular grows up to 3”.
Water Needs: Low water need.
Plant Problems: Powdery mildew and leave spots in wet summers.
 
How to save your seeds to plant ZINNIAS next year and to share with friends:
 

1. Let the flower dry on the stem completely.
2. To release next year seeds, do this. When you collect the seed heads crush them with your hands lightly.
3. Store the seeds in a cool dry place and label them by color and type.