11/24/2023 0 Comments Growing zinnias from seed outdoors![]() Use an all-purpose compost with additional perlite for better drainage, taking care to ensure the pots have holes in their base as well. 2) Prepare Your PlantersĪs mentioned above, zinnias are very sensitive to movement and any damage to their root systems can be terminal.Īs such, it’s a good idea to use compostable planters (or a similar solution) so that you can transplant the whole thing, pot and all, into the outdoor soil later on.ĭifferent varieties will require different dimensions for their root system to develop, but as a general rule of thumb, the planter should be 15cm in diameter and depth. You can buy packets of seeds from your local garden centre or you can choose from a vast selection online.Īlternatively, you can harvest the seeds from last year’s zinnias to create perfect replica plants. “These shorter cultivars are also perfect for growing at the front of larger containers tiered in front of taller Dahlias.” “I grow Zinnias in pots, so I choose shorter cultivars to avoid the need for supporting or staking,” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly. Taller types are great for adding architectural intrigue to the rear of beds and borders, while low-growing spreaders are better at filling gaps and providing coverage. With literally hundreds of different varieties to choose from, there’s one for every aesthetic. You can do this immediately after the last frost has passed. Since they’re fussy about moving and the advantages of sowing indoors are minimal, I personally recommend growing your zinnias from seed directly in your garden. If you’re going to go down this route, it’s best to sow them indoors around 6 weeks before the last frost of the season, whenever that might be in your particular part of the country.īe mindful that zinnias don’t always take kindly to transplantation, so using a compostable planter pot or bag is advisable. ![]() The only real advantage of this is that they will germinate more quickly and you’ll be able to enjoy colourful blossoms sooner. The time when it’s most appropriate to sow your zinnia seeds is entirely dependent on whether you intend to start them indoors or not. Plant pots or bags, multi-purpose compost, fertiliserĦ weeks before the last frost (indoors), after the last frost (outdoors) That might seem a little confusing to the uninitiated, especially since there are two options to sow indoors or directly outdoors.įor that reason, we’ve covered each step in greater detail below, alongside some useful information about when is best to tackle the job. ![]() Provide the right aftercare for your zinnias.Transplant the zinnia seedlings outdoors (skip this step if sowing outdoors).Sow and allow the zinnia seeds to germinate.Prepare your planters (skip this step if sowing outdoors).Zinnia elegans ‘Purple Prince’ – a very tall-growing zinnia, up to 90cm, bearing striking double flowers in magenta with a lime green centre.Natives of Mexico and the surrounding regions, zinnias are eye-catching flowers which come in a wide variety of shapes, colours and sizes, making them versatile enough to fit any existing design scheme.Īs annuals, zinnias will die out with the first kiss of frost in late autumn and early winter.įortunately, you can sow new seeds and coax them into beautiful blooms in a matter of weeks with little fuss.įor those not yet confident in their abilities to cultivate zinnias from seed, the following list is a straightforward and easy-to-follow guide:.It’s ideal for using to fill gaps in the border, and also works well in container displays ![]() Zinnia elegans 'Orange King' – a tall-growing zinnia, growing to 75cm, the flowers are showy, semi-double orange blooms.Zinnia elegans ‘Envy' - with unusual semi-double, lime green, dahlia-like blooms on long stems, this is more tolerant of shade than other zinnias.Zinnia elegans 'Queen Red Lime' – the red flowers have lime-green tips to each petal.Plants are easy to grow, resistant to rain and flower until the first frosts ‘Soleado’ bears masses of single orange flowers on strong, stems. Zinnia haageana 'Soleado' – known as the Mexican zinnia, this species has smaller leaves, making it more tolerant of hot dry conditions and winds.Zinnia tenuifolia 'Red Spider' – a compact zinnia, with wide-spaced, spidery petals, growing to a height of 60cm.
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