Annual plants known as zinnias produce stunning flowers with vibrant hues like red, pink, yellow, and purple. The flowers, which have layered petals, are traditional picks for the cutting garden.
Zinnias can grow as tall as three feet or as short as six inches. They can be purchased as little plants at the garden center or grown from seeds, both of which are quite simple. In South Florida, they can be planted in the fall as well as the spring throughout the state of Florida.
Full light and well-drained soil are essential for zinnias. Getting rid of the old blooms will prolong flowering.
Grow zinnias for homemade bouquets or use them in a mass planting, container, or border!
The Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program at the University of Florida, IFAS Extension, and WUFT-FM collaborated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to produce Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM in a Minute.
In Florida, how long do zinnias bloom?
It is simple to grow zinnias from seeds. Though not impossible, transplanting zinnias is difficult for them. Personally, I advise planting them immediately where you intend to grow them from seed. If the correct circumstances are present, they will develop quite quickly from seed.
Because zinnias are annual plants, they only bloom for one season. Planting zinnias is not particularly difficult. They demand the least amount of upkeep and care. They are tolerant plants that do well in warm, dry climates. Seeds for zinnias should be planted after your last frost because they do not fare well in chilly climates. See the frost dates for your hardiness zone.
These blooms prefer soil that drains well, has a pH that is somewhat acidic, and receives direct sunlight. The recommended seed depth is 1/4 inch, and the recommended seed spacing is 6 to 12 inches. The germination of seeds takes 4–7 days.
In Florida, do zinnias bloom all year round?
Growing zinnias from seed or buying them as little plants in the garden center is quite simple. In South Florida, they can be planted in the fall as well as the spring throughout the state of Florida. Plant after the final date of frost, and make careful to give them room because overcrowding breeds disease.
Full light and well-drained soil are essential for zinnias. They are drought-tolerant once established, but they require regular irrigation to flourish. Although most zinnias are sensitive to powdery mildew, newer cultivars have been engineered to be resistant, so try to keep water off the leaves.
Leave enough stem with leaves when you cut flowers, and you’ll soon notice a new bloom emerging. Additionally, you can pinch them back to promote fuller development. Getting rid of the old blooms will prolong flowering. Zinnias can withstand Florida’s hot summers better than many bedding plants, and good plants will bloom all summer long, frequently right up until the first frost.
Are zinnias indigenous to Florida?
Wild zinnia, also known as prairie zinnia or Rocky Mountain zinnia, is a perennial groundcover that forms a mound and rises 4 to 8 inches high. From mid-summer till frost, the plants are covered in papery yellow blossoms. It prefers hot, sunny places with well-drained soil and does well in rough terrain.
True American natives, zinnias can be found in Mexico, Central America, and the Southwest of the United States. The best-known annual plant is the common zinnia (Zinnia elegans), from which plant breeders have developed an amazing variety of cultivars. There are roughly 17 different species of annuals and perennials.
The wild zinnia is becoming more popular as a garden plant, and it can now be found on a number of lists of Western gardeners’ preferred water-wise plants. The scientific name of the plant, Zinnia grandiflora, will take you to a number of sources for plants and seeds online. Once planted, it becomes a hardy spreading perennial, but until the heat of early summer arrives, it won’t emerge from hibernation or begin to develop.
Do zinnias return each year?
One of the simplest flowers to plant, zinnias grow quickly and provide a lot of blooms. Additionally, they will continue to bloom right up until the first fall hard frost. Consider trying zinnia flowers this year to add a huge splash of color to your yard.
About Zinnias
Since zinnias are annuals, they will only produce blooms and seeds for one season before dying. The original plant will not reappear the following year. They are excellent for use as a cutting flower or as food for butterflies since they have vivid, solitary, daisy-like flowerheads on a single, tall stem.
Types of Zinnias
Zinnia elegans, the most widely grown zinnia species, has been developed to produce a large number of distinctive variants.
Single, semidouble, or double zinnia blooms are the three most common varieties. The number of petal rows and whether or not the flower’s center is visible serve to distinguish between these forms:
- A single row of petals and the center are both visible on single-flowered zinnias.
- Petal rows abound on double-flowered zinnias, and their centers are hidden.
- Between the two are semidouble-flowered zinnias, which have several rows of petals but discernible cores.
In addition to these shapes, zinnia flowers also occur in “beehive,” “button,” and “cactus” forms. Additionally, the plants themselves come in various heights: taller types function best as a garden bed’s background, while shorter varieties are useful as a border. There is a zinnia for every garden, in fact!
In an annual or mixed border garden, plant zinnias. Smaller zinnias work well as window boxes, edging, or in other containers.
To have a lot of flowers all season long, choose a place that receives full sun (6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day). Additionally, later in the season, foliar diseases like powdery mildew can be avoided by planting in an area with sufficient air circulation.
Although zinnias can grow in a variety of soil types, they prefer organically rich, well-draining soil. The optimal pH range for soil is between 5.5 and 7.5. The blooms will grow more quickly if compost (humus) is added to the soil. Find out more about soil improvements and getting the soil ready for planting.
When to Plant Zinnias
- Because they dislike being transplanted, it is advised that you start your zinnia plants from seed directly in the garden bed. If the correct circumstances are present, they will develop quite quickly from seed.
- It should be noted that zinnias can be grown from seed inside if you like. Just make sure to transfer them gently and young.
- Because zinnias are delicate to frost, wait to plant them until after the last frost in your area. See the frost dates in your area.
- Zinnias can tolerate daily temperatures as low as 60F (16C), although a range of 7484F (2328C) is ideal.
- To prolong the flowering time, sow a new crop of seeds every week or so for a few weeks.
How to Plant Zinnias
- Depending on the kind, place plants 4 to 24 inches apart. (Many common kinds are planted 2 feet between rows and 6 inches apart within the row.) For information about each variety, consult the seed packet’s back.
- Plant zinnia seeds no deeper than 1/4 inch.
- The majority of zinnia cultivars will produce seedlings in just 4 to 7 days, but it may take up to two months or more for blooms to appear (depending on planting site and climate).
- To promote air circulation, thin seedlings when they are three inches tall, spacing them 6 to 18 inches apart. As a result, powdery mildew is less likely to grow.
- To promote development and blossoms, keep the soil’s moisture level moderate and apply a mild fertilizer.
- Deadhead zinnias once they have finished blooming to facilitate the development of new blossoms.
- Since zinnias are annuals, they will perish with the first fall hard cold. Let the final blooms of the season fully mature before dispersing their seeds if you want them to reseed.
Zinnias still not your thing? In your garden, try them out for the following six reasons:
- With cultivars from the Dreamland Series, you can have a full-sized flower on a little plant. These zinnias are compact and dwarf, with stems that are 812 inches tall and totally double flowerheads that can be up to 4 inches across with a variety of colors.
- The dwarf, spreading cultivars of the Thumbelina Series have weather-resistant, solitary or semi-double flowerheads in a variety of hues. Their stems can reach a length of 6 inches, and their petals are 1-1/4″ wide.
- One of the largest and tallest of them all, the State Fair Series has huge, double flowerheads that measure 3 inches in diameter. Stems can reach a height of 30 inches.
- Typically, it takes zinnias 60 to 70 days from seed to flower (though it depends on conditions and variety). They are fantastic in a bunch of flowers!
- The tiny, narrow-leafed zinnias are great for hanging baskets and also make lovely dried flowers.
- Zinnias are considered to represent memories of those who have passed away. Discover more about the significance of flowers here.
- Zinnias may be harmed by bacterial wilt, powdery mildew, and bacterial and fungal spots. To prevent illness, keep leaves from getting too damp and correctly space your plants.
- Problems can also be brought on by caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites. Spraying should be avoided unless there is a real infestation because some leaf damage is not a problem.
- Thanks to their resistance to deer, zinnias may be able to prevent surrounding flowers from being eaten.
Pentas
Planting low-maintenance pentas in your yard is a good idea. Pentas, one of the simplest plants to cultivate in Florida, bloom continuously and form eye-catching clusters of red, pink, lavender, or white flowers. The blossoms are stunning and attract hummingbirds and butterflies in equal measure. Florida’s official state butterfly, the zebra longwing, frequently visits the pentas in my yard. There are numerous types that come in a range of heights, from dwarf (which grow to a height of 12 to 14 inches) to full size (that can top out at 36 to 48 inches tall). Falling Star, a new collection, maintains a low profile and works well in hanging baskets and groundcovers.
Pentas should be grown in well-drained soil with full or partial sun. It is only moderately tolerant of drought once established. For the best blossoms in sandy soils, fertilize regularly in the spring and summer. Alternately, you might apply a slow-release fertilizer a few times a year. It does well in both landscapes and container gardens. A perennial that thrives in North, Central, and South Florida is pentas.
Evolvulus
Evolvulus, sometimes known as Blue Daze, is a lovely groundcover that produces true-blue flowers, which are uncommon in gardening. Its silvery-green foliage contrasts well with those sky-blue blossoms. It continuously blooms, making it useful for spilling over the side of a container garden or edging garden beds and borders. Evolvulus is a deliciously drought-tolerant plant, which is one feature that makes it a fantastic choice for Florida gardening. Once planted, it hardly ever requires irrigation other than from natural rains. If there is a drawback to evolvulus, it is that its blooms open in the morning and usually close by midday. As a result, put it where you can appreciate it in the morning. Evolvulus normally reaches heights of 6 inches and widths of 12 to 18 inches.
Evolvulus grows best in well-drained soil with full or partial light. It benefits from fertilizer to promote the best bloom show. In Central and South Florida, it is a dependable perennial; in North Florida, it acts more like an annual, particularly during winters that are colder than typical.
Coreopsis
One of the cheeriest plants you can grow in your yard is the coreopsis, the official state flower of Florida. However, plant breeders have been hard at work and you can now discover selections with single or double flowers, and blooms in hues of yellow, gold, orange, red, and pink. The majority of types feature daisy-shaped golden-yellow flowers. Whatever kind of coreopsis you cultivate, it will probably be drought-tolerant and a butterfly magnet. The blooming periods for the many coreopsis varieties vary as well. You can enjoy coreopsis for a good portion of the year because some varieties bloom all spring long while others bloom from spring to fall.
Grow coreopsis in well-drained soil with full sun or some shade. Once they are established, the majority of types are able to tolerate drought rather well and take care of themselves. Both garden beds and borders, as well as containers, are ideal for them. In North Florida, the majority of coreopsis kinds are annuals, while in Central and South Florida they are short-lived perennials.
Gerbera
Given my experiences with a variety of gerbera kinds in the Midwest, I wouldn’t have anticipated it to be a particularly strong performer. However, I had never tried the Garvinea line. Garvinea gerberas, top performers in our Miami, Florida, Trial Garden, produce daisy-shaped blossoms in a variety of colors. Additionally, pollinators adore them. The flowers keep up well indoors for bouquets and look great in landscape or container gardening. The majority of Garvinea gerberas are knee-high or less and bloom from spring to October (all year long in South Florida). I’m reminded of leaf lettuce by the dense, rough-textured mounds of foliage.
Garvinea gerberas should be grown in wet, well-drained soil in either full sun or half shade. In times of drought, give them water to keep them content, and give them frequent spring or summer fertilization to keep them blooming profusely. In North, Central, and South Florida, they are perennials.
Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia
Bolivian Sunset Gloxinia (Gloxinia sylvatica), a show-stopper in Central and South Florida gardens, with glossy, dark-green leaves and brilliantly orange blooms in the late autumn and winter. It’s essential for wintertime color. Happily, it also grows well indoors in colder regions outside of Florida. Although it spreads somewhat, it is in no way aggressive or invasive. Gloxinia Bolivian Sunset eventually forms a spectacular clump that, in full bloom, may be seen from across the yard. It normally reaches a height of 24 inches.
Gloxinia Bolivian Sunset should be grown in wet, well-drained soil in partial shade. It can withstand full sun, however in a sunny area, you must maintain an even moisture level in the soil. During the hot, dry summer, a thick layer of mulch over the soil aids with moisture retention. It works best in Central and South Florida; North Florida can make it unreliable hardy. However, it does thrive indoors.
Blue Salvia
Although it is native to the Southwest of the United States, blue salvia (Salvia farinacea) thrives in Florida. In much of Florida, it has spires of violet-purple or white flowers in the spring, summer, and fall. In the southern section of the state, some blooms occur in the winter. The fact that blue salvia is a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees makes it essential for pollinator gardens. It’s a top option for container gardens, planters, and low-maintenance landscaping. Various types can reach heights of 18 to 36 inches and widths of 12 to 18 inches. The leaves is fragrant, which helps it be relatively deer and rabbit resistant, and the blossoms keep up well when used as cut flowers.
In full sun and well-drained soil, grow blue salvia. Whereas many other plants struggle, it does well in hot, dry climates. It is consistently tolerant of drought once established. Although it’s frequently classed as an annual in Northern Florida, it’s more consistently a perennial in Central and South Florida.
Heuchera
Heuchera was one of my favorite perennials when I lived in the Midwest, so I was thrilled to see it thrives in Florida as well. It displays amazing clumps of vibrant foliage that are ideal for bringing texture and interest to areas that are heavily shadowed. It is also resistant to deer and rabbits. There are several available options; Florida gardeners should look for choices that withstand heat and humidity well, like “Bressingham Hybrids” or “Melting Fire.” Heuchera can be seen with striking leaves that are purple, bronze, orange, chartreuse, or green. Most plants are more commonly valued for their leaves than for their blossoms. Most people reach heights of 12 inches and widths of 12 to 18 inches.
Heuchera should be grown in shade in wet, draining soil. Once planted, it can tolerate some drought, but it performs and looks best when the soil moisture is constant. In times of drought, covering the soil with a layer of mulch keeps it content. It does nicely in containers, garden beds, and borders. North, Central, and South Florida are all havens for heuchera.
Purslane
Portulaca, also known as purslane, is a heat-loving annual that requires little maintenance and survives in hot, dry climates, making it a great choice for Florida gardens. It is a low, mounding plant that is frequently used as an annual groundcover, in hanging baskets, pots, and planters. Pink, orange, yellow, and white are common colors, but plant breeders have also developed several intriguing bicolors. If you want a plant that delivers a lot of color but requires little maintenance to keep attractive, this is an excellent option. The majority of purslane types reach heights of 6 inches and a width of 12 inches.
Purslane needs full sun and soil that drains well to grow. Avoid overwatering it since rotting can occur if the soil is continually moist. Most of Florida treats it as an annual, but some types are capable of self-seeding, with seedlings appearing as the mother plants deteriorate.
Lavender
Beauty and fragrance are provided by lavender (Lavandula)! With its gorgeous spikes of violet-purple, pink, or white flowers and silvery-green leaves, this drought-tolerant garden plant enchants gardeners as well as pollinators and butterflies. Lavender is a wonderful choice for potpourris and sachets due to the oils that give the leaves and flowers their aroma, and because the flowers dry well, it is also enjoyable for dried-floral crafts. Plant your lavender along walkways so that you can simply brush up against it to enjoy the aroma.
Lavender thrives in soil with good drainage and full light. It prefers sandy soil and actually dislikes land that is consistently damp. It’s beneficial to keep lavender away from sprinklers that frequently mist its foliage if you have a watering system. The plant grows nicely in both container gardens and garden beds and borders. It blooms best in the northern portions of the state and is a perennial in North, Central, and South Florida.
Mexican Heather
Mexican heather, or Cuphea, is a popular plant in Florida gardens because it provides glossy, deep-green foliage that is complemented by attractive lavender-pink or white blooms virtually all year long. Despite their little appearance, the plants eventually grow into a dense groundcover that requires little maintenance. As much as you’ll appreciate how pretty and low-maintenance they are, bees and butterflies will also like visiting the delicate blossoms to feed on their sweet nectar. Mexican heather thrives in the heat with essentially no maintenance and is ideal as a groundcover, in mass plantings, or as an edging plant in garden beds and borders. It eventually reaches a height of 12 to 18 inches and a width of 24 to 30 inches.
In well-drained soil with full sun or partial shade, grow Mexican heather. You can practically plant it and forget about it after it has taken root because it is quite drought tolerant. It does well in landscapes and also works well in container gardens. In North, Central, and South Florida, it is a perennial.