Zinnia Is Often Bothered by Powdery Mildew and Japanese Beetles

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Zinnia Is Often Bothered by Powdery Mildew and Japanese Beetles CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF ONEIDA COUNTY 121 Second Street Oriskany, NY 13424-9799 (315) 736-3394 or (315) 337-2531 FAX: (315) 736-2580 drained soil. They need full sunlight and should be spaced 12" apart. Faded flower heads should be removed. What are its primary problems? Zinnia is often bothered by powdery mildew and Japanese beetles. How do we propagate it? Zinnia (medium height cultivars) Sow seeds indoors 46 weeks before the last Annual Flower frost or outdoors when night temperatures remain above 50 degrees F. Pinch after a Also known as Common Zinnia second set of true leaves have formed. Zinnia elegans medium height Asteraceae Family Site Characteristics Sunlight: This easy-to-grow garden classic delivers full sun blooms in nearly every color of the rainbow. Soil conditions: Plant where air circulation is good to avoid requires well-drained soil late-season disease problems. Plant Traits What about it? Lifecycle: annual Zinnia is an annual and a member of the Ease-of-care: easy Compositae Family. It is named after Johann Height: 1.5 to 2.5 feet G. Zinn, a professor of Botany who taught at Spread: 1 to 2 feet the University of Gottigen in the 1700's. It grows up to 20" and has long (2-3") but Bloom time: narrow leaves in an opposite arrangement. mid-summer The orange, yellow, red, or gold flower heads late summer are 2-6" across. early fall mid-fall What is it used for? Flower color: Zinnia has a long blooming period and grows red easily. It is a broad-spreading, many orange branched plant. Depending on the variety yellow chosen, plants may fit in the mid- or violet background of a flower border. white pink Where does it grow? How do we grow Foliage color: it? medium green Zinnias grow well in moist, fertile, well- Helping You Put Knowledge to Work Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology, and NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Cooperative Extension associations, county governing bodies, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating. dark green back regularly to keep bushy. Late in Foliage texture: medium the season, the plants are often badly Shape: upright covered with unsightly mildew, and Shape in flower: same as above should be removed. Pests: Special Considerations & characteristics: Japanese beetles Spider mites deer resistant Parasitic nematodes non-aggressive non-invasive Diseases: not native to North America - Native Plant in areas with good air circulation to Mexico. to reduce foliar diseases. Attracts: Oedema Powdery mildew butterflies Alternaria leaf spot hummingbirds Viral diseases Special uses: VARIETIES Envy Double’: yellow-green flowers are cut flowers dense and double. Plants are 2’ tall and direct-seeding prefer semi-shaded, protected sites. ‘Lilliput’ Series: 2’ tall plants with small (2” GROWING INFORMATION wide) flowers in shades of white, pink, How to plant: orange, yellow, and red. Propagate by seed - Start seeds ‘Peppermint Stick Mix’: large, double flowers outdoors where desired in spring after are cream or pale yellow with mottling and frost danger has passed, or indoors 4 spotting in red and pink. Plants are 2’ tall. weeks before the last spring frost. ‘Ruffles’ Series: 2’ tall plants with prolific double flowers in pink, red, white and yellow Germination temperature: 70 F to 75 F . Days to emergence: 7 Maintenance and care: Deadhead to prolong blooming. Pinch Source: Some information for this fact sheet was obtained from the NY State Horticulture Study Guide for youth This publication may contain pesticide recommendations. Changes in pesticide regulations occur constantly, some materials mentioned may no longer be available, and some uses may no longer be legal. All pesticides dis- tributed, sold, and/or applied in New York State must be registered with the New York State Department of En- vironmental Conservation (DEC). Questions concerning the legality and/or registration status for pesticide use in New York State should be directed to the appropriate Cornell Cooperative Extension Specialist or your re- gional DEC office. READ THE LABEL BEFORE APPLYING ANY PESTICIDE. Updated 2008 .
Recommended publications
  • Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Zinnia Elegans Jacq
    molecules Article Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Zinnia elegans Jacq. Fractions 1, 2, 3, 4 Ana Flavia Burlec y, Łukasz Pecio y , Cornelia Mircea * , Oana Cioancă , Andreia Corciovă 1,* , Alina Nicolescu 5, Wiesław Oleszek 2 and Monica Hăncianu 4 1 Department of Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania 2 Department of Biochemistry and Crop Quality, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation—State Research Institute, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania 4 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania 5 Center of Organic Chemistry “C.D. Nenitescu”, Romanian Academy, Spl. Independentei 202B, 060023 Bucharest, Romania * Correspondence: [email protected] (M.C.); [email protected] (A.C.) These authors contributed equally to this work. y Academic Editors: Nazim Sekeroglu, Anake Kijjoa and Sevgi Gezici Received: 30 July 2019; Accepted: 12 August 2019; Published: 13 August 2019 Abstract: Zinnia elegans (syn. Zinnia violacea) is a common ornamental plant of the Asteraceae family, widely cultivated for the impressive range of flower colors and persistent bloom. Given its uncomplicated cultivation and high adaptability to harsh landscape conditions, we investigated the potential use of Z. elegans as a source of valuable secondary metabolites. Preliminary classification of compounds found in a methanolic extract obtained from inflorescences of Z. elegans cv. Caroussel was accomplished using HR LC-MS techniques.
    [Show full text]
  • From Hungary on Zinnia Elegans (Asteraceae)
    Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica 55 (2), pp. 223–234 (2020) DOI: 10.1556/038.55.2020.023 A New Leipothrix Species (Acari: Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) from Hungary on Zinnia elegans (Asteraceae) G. RIPKA1*, E. KISS2, J. KONTSCHÁN3 and Á. SZABÓ4 1National Food Chain Safety Office, Directorate of Plant Protection, Soil Conservation and Agri-environment, H-1118 Budapest, Budaörsi út 141-145, Hungary 2Plant Protection Institute, Szent István University, H-2100 Gödöllő, Páter Károly u. 1, Hungary 3Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, H-1525 Budapest, P.O. Box 102, Hungary 4Department of Entomology, Faculty of Horticultural Science, Szent István University, H-1118 Budapest, Villányi út 29-43, Hungary (Received: 11 September 2020; accepted: 12 October 2020) A new vagrant species of phyllocoptine mites, Leipothrix nagyi n. sp. collected from Zinnia elegans (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from Hungary. Further three eriophyoid species were recorded for the first time in Hungary, viz. Aceria hippophaena (Nalepa, 1898) found on Hippophaë rhamnoides, Epitrimerus cupressi (Keifer, 1939) collected from Cupressus sempervirens and Epitrimerus tanaceti Boczek et Davis, 1984 associated with Tanacetum vulgare. The female of E. tanaceti is re-described, while the male and nymph are described for the first time. Keywords: Eriophyidae, Leipothrix, common zinnia, Asteraceae, Hungary. The large family Asteraceae (Compositae) contains 1,911 plant genera with 32,913 accepted species names (The Plant List, 2013). Representatives of the family Asteraceae are a dominant feature of the Hungarian flora with 267 recognised species. According to Király (2009) it amounts to 9.8% of the current vascular plants of Hungary. An ex- traordinary range of eriophyoids occupy the plants of this family.
    [Show full text]
  • Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service
    Responses of Plant Communities to Grazing in the Southwestern United States Department of Agriculture United States Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Daniel G. Milchunas General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-169 April 2006 Milchunas, Daniel G. 2006. Responses of plant communities to grazing in the southwestern United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-169. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p. Abstract Grazing by wild and domestic mammals can have small to large effects on plant communities, depend- ing on characteristics of the particular community and of the type and intensity of grazing. The broad objective of this report was to extensively review literature on the effects of grazing on 25 plant commu- nities of the southwestern U.S. in terms of plant species composition, aboveground primary productiv- ity, and root and soil attributes. Livestock grazing management and grazing systems are assessed, as are effects of small and large native mammals and feral species, when data are available. Emphasis is placed on the evolutionary history of grazing and productivity of the particular communities as deter- minants of response. After reviewing available studies for each community type, we compare changes in species composition with grazing among community types. Comparisons are also made between southwestern communities with a relatively short history of grazing and communities of the adjacent Great Plains with a long evolutionary history of grazing. Evidence for grazing as a factor in shifts from grasslands to shrublands is considered. An appendix outlines a new community classification system, which is followed in describing grazing impacts in prior sections.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Florida's
    variety information University of Florida’s For more information on the varieties discussed in this article, direct your inquiries Best to the following companies. AMERICAN TAKII INC. (831) 443-4901 www.takii.com The best of times, the worst of times and things ERNST BENARY OF AMERICA to come for seed-propagated bedding plants. (815) 895-6705 www.benary.com By Rick Kelly, Rick Schoellhorn, FLORANOVA PLANT BREEDERS Zhanao Deng and Brent K. Harbaugh (574) 674-4200 www.floranova.co.uk GOLDSMITH SEEDS rowers around the sive replicated trials. Cultivars to be cultivar to compare new entries in (800) 549-0158 country face a deci- evaluated are placed into classes by each new trial. If the new entry per- www.goldsmithseeds.com sion when producing species, flower and foliage color, forms better, it takes the best-of- bedding plants for plant height and growth habit. Two class position; if only one plant is KIEFT SEEDS HOLLAND (360) 445-2031 the Deep South and similar cli- duplicate fields are planted. One entered in a class, it becomes the www.kieftseeds.com mates around the world. There, field is scouted and sprayed, as uncontested best-of-class. We coop- needed. Plant measurements, per- erate with four of Florida’s premier flowers may flourish year-round; PANAMERICAN SEED however,G the moderate to high tem- formance, flowering data and culti- public gardens to display the best- (630) 231-1400 peratures and ample moisture fuel var performance are evaluated of-class selections in their formal www.panamseed.com the fires of disaster, as plant pests there.
    [Show full text]
  • Taxonomy and Distribution of the Zinnia Acerosa (Asteraceae) Complex
    Turner, B.L. 2012. Taxonomy and distribution of the Zinnia acerosa (Asteraceae) complex. Phytoneuron 2012-19: 1–8. Published 23 February 2012. ISSN 2153 733X TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE ZINNIA ACER OSA (ASTERACEAE) COMPLEX BILLIE L. TURNER Plant Resources Center The University of Texas Austin, TX 78712 ABSTRACT A taxonomic treatment of the Zinnia acerosa (DC.) A. Gray complex is provided. Six species are recognized: Zinnia acerosa , Zinnia austrotexana B.L. Turner, sp. nov., Zinnia citrea Torres, Zinnia guanajuatensis comb. et stat. nov., Zinnia coahuilana B.L. Turner, sp. nov., and Zinnia oligantha I.M. Johnst. Photos of the type specimens of the new taxa are provided along with a map showing their distributions. KEY WORDS : Asteraceae, Zinnia, Z. acerosa, Texas, Mexico, Coahuila Zinnia acerosa is typified by material collected in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí by Berlandier (Torres 1963). Torres, following Robinson and Greenman (1896), placed Z. pumila A. Gray, typified by a Gregg collection from south-central Coahuila, as the only synonym of the species. I also accept such a disposition. Torres did not recognize infraspecific taxa within his concept of Zinnia acerosa , but he did propose new specific taxa from among its cohorts, namely Z. citrea , a tetraploid taxon having bright yellow rays but otherwise very similar to Z. acerosa . Its validity also is accepted here and I also propose below three new species from the Z. acerosa complex –– Z. coahuilana , a striking taxon with elongate, ciliate-margined but otherwise glabrous leaves and markedly pedunculate, large heads bearing 8 ray florets; Z. guanajuatensis , a localized taxon from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, possessing a prostrate habit, originally proposed as a variety of Z.
    [Show full text]
  • Zinnia's Are a Beautiful Annual Flower, Very Easy to Grow from Seed And
    Bell County Master Gardeners Tip of the Week By Jann Dworksky Zinnias—A Personal Favorite Zinnias are a beautiful annual flower, very easy to grow from seed and with an interesting history. They are native to Mexico where they were erroneously named “mal de ojos,” which literally means sickness of the eyes. This certainly makes me wonder what some other flowers looked like if zinnias looked sick! Zinnias were given the first written description in the 18th century by Dr. Johann Gottfried Zinn, a German medical professor. He also studied the eye and because of his work, a part of the eye is called the zonule of Zinn, or Zinn’s membrane. Zinnias are personally my favorite flower and I have about 40 square feet planted in zinnias. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds and some of my best photographs of zinnias include these lovely insects. Zinnias require regular watering, but because of their striking colors and tolerance of the extreme Texas heat they will give you a superb display, even in a small space. Zinnias should be planted outdoors in an area receiving 8 hours of direct sun. Dappled shade will produce weak, spindly plants that will do poorly. Many of the packages of zinnias say they may be started indoors 6 weeks before the last frost, but they are a heat loving plant and do poorly until the ground is warm. A two foot square planted in zinnias will add an eye catching boost of color to any flower or shrub bed. Water zinnias early in the day and avoid getting the leaves wet as they can develop a powdery mildew.
    [Show full text]
  • Batamote Germplasm Desert Zinnia (Ainnia Acerosa)
    Batamote Germplasm desert zinnia Zinnia acerosa (DC.) A. Gray A Conservation Plant Release by USDA NRCS Tucson Plant Materials Center, Tucson, Arizona observable detrimental characteristics; therefore no direct selection was made. Conservation Uses The potential uses of Batamote Germplasm desert zinnia include restoration of disturbed areas, wildlife and pollinator habitat improvement, and for increasing plant diversity on lands in southeastern Arizona. This release provides a forb for use in conservation plantings. Area of Adaptation and Use Batamote germplasm desert zinnia was developed for use in southeastern Arizona. Figure 1: Batamote Germplasm desert zinnia was released by the Tucson Plant Materials Center in 2008. Description Desert zinnia is a small shrub-like native perennial forb. It typically grows 4 to 10 inches tall with numerous branches and scores of narrow leaves. The flowers consist of off-white ray flowers and yellow disc flowers. The ray flowers may be somewhat toothed at the ends. Desert zinnia may flower from spring to fall when moisture is available. Desert zinnia generally occurs on rocky open slopes and Figure 2: Collection locations of Batamote Germplasm desert zinnia. flats, often on calcareous soils. It occurs at elevations of 2,300 to 6,200 feet. It is found in Arizona, New Mexico, Establishment and Management for Conservation Texas, and Utah. Plantings Desert zinnia may be direct seeded by broadcasting or Source drill seeding. For single species plantings the broadcast Batamote germplasm is a composite of 9 accessions seeding rate is 2.2 PLS (pure live seed) pounds per acre collected from native desert zinnia stands in southeastern and the drill seeding rate is 1.1 PLS pounds per acre.
    [Show full text]
  • ZINNIA(Proj.8) ORIGINAL: English DATE: 2020-04-27
    E TG/ZINNIA(proj.8) ORIGINAL: English DATE: 2020-04-27 INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NEW VARIETIES OF PLANTS Geneva DRAFT * ZINNIA UPOV Code(s): ZINNI_ELE ; ZINNI_HAA ; ZINNI_PER ; ZINNI_ANG Zinnia elegans Jacq.; Zinnia haageana Regel; Zinnia peruviana (L.) L.; Zinnia angustifolia Kunth GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF TESTS FOR DISTINCTNESS, UNIFORMITY AND STABILITY prepared by experts from Mexico to be considered by the Technical Working Party for Ornamental Plants and Forest Trees at its fifty-second session, to be held in Roelofarendsveen, Netherlands, from 2020-06-08 to 2020-06-12 Disclaimer: this document does not represent UPOV policies or guidance Alternative names:* Botanical name English French German Spanish Zinnia elegans Jacq., Youth and age, Youth- Zinnia élégant Zinnie Rascamoño, Zinnia, Zinnia violacea Cav. and-old-age Miguelito Zinnia haageana Regel Zinnia Mexicana Zinnia peruviana (L.) L. Field zinnia, Peruvian Mal de ojo zinnia, Wild zinnia Zinnia angustifolia Zinnia naranja Kunth The purpose of these guidelines (“Test Guidelines”) is to elaborate the principles contained in the General Introduction (document TG/1/3), and its associated TGP documents, into detailed practical guidance for the harmonized examination of distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) and, in particular, to identify appropriate characteristics for the examination of DUS and production of harmonized variety descriptions. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS These Test Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the General Introduction and its associated TGP documents. * These names were correct at the time of the introduction of these Test Guidelines but may be revised or updated. [Readers are advised to consult the UPOV Code, which can be found on the UPOV Website (www.upov.int), for the latest information.] TG/ZINNIA(proj.8) Zinnia, 2020-04-27 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Generic Disposition Inspection of the Few Representative Specimens
    BLUMEA 35 (1991) 459-482 Notes onSoutheastAsianand AustralianCoreopsidinae (Asteraceae) J.F. Veldkamp & L.A. Kreffer Rijksherbarium/Hortus Botanicus, Leiden, The Netherlands Summary Chrysanthellum L.C.M. Rich, (inch Eryngiophyllum Greenm.) is distinguished from Glos- socardia Cass. The Guerreroia Merr. and Neuractis Cass. reduced to genera Glossogyne Cass., are Glossocardia. Diodontium F. Muell. from Australia is resurrected, and Glossogyne sect. Trioncinia F. Muell. is raised to generic rank. Three new species are described and several new combinations are proposed. Cosmos calvus sensu Sherff is renamed to Cosmos steenisiae Veldk. Introduction of otherwise American In Malesiatwo species the mainly genus Chrysanthellum L.C.M. Rich, have been described:Chrysanthellum leschenaultii(Cass.) Koster and Chrysanthellum smithii Back. Dr. J.Th. Koster and later Dr. C.G.G.J, van Steenis had for some years kept material of what of and apart they thought were two new species Chrysanthellum on the latter's instigation a revision was prepared. One of the problems encountered was the generic disposition of the taxa involved. After a survey of the literatureand inspection of the few representative specimens available in Leiden, we have come to the following observations. GENERIC DELIMITATION Chrysanthellum belongs to the Heliantheae-Coreopsidinae Less. Stuessy (1977) distinguished a numberof informal groups in this subtribe, e.g.: Group 2: Leaves very finely dissected, opposite (alternate in Glossocardia); heads homogamous (radiate in Coreocarpus and Guardiola); involucres funnelform to cylindrical; pappus barbed (absent in Guardiola); anthers brown (green in Guardi- ola).—Coreocarpus Benth., Dicranocarpus A. Gray, Glossocardia Cass., Guar- diola Humb. & Bonpl., Heterosperma Cav. dissected Group 3: Leaves alternate or nearly basal, finely (sic!); heads heterogam- ous (discoid in Isostigma), small, solitary or in small clusters; involucre hemi- spheric; pappus absent or of 2 awns.
    [Show full text]
  • Universidad Autónoma De San Luis Potosí
    Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 16 (2013): 215 – 222. PARTICIPATORY CARTOGRAPHY IN A TRADITIONAL GOAT PRODUCTION SYSTEM OF A SMALLHOLDER COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN MÉXICO [CARTOGRAFÍA PARTICIPATIVA EN UN SISTEMA TRADICIONAL DE PRODUCCIÓN DE CABRAS EN UNA COMUNIDAD RURAL EN EL NORTE DE MÉXICO] Juan Manuel Pinos-Rodríguez1, Juan Carlos García-López1*, Juan Rogelio Aguirre-Rivera1 and Humberto Reyes-Hernández2 1Instituto de Investigación de Zonas Desérticas, Phone-Fax (444) 8422359, E-mail [email protected] 2 Coordinación de Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Altaír 200, Fracc. del Llano, C. P. 78377. San Luis Potosí, S. L. P. México. Emails: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] *Corresponding author SUMMARY RESUMEN A community mapping procedure was developed En una comunidad rural se implementó un to identify and characterize communal land area procedimiento de mapeo para identificar y used for a traditional goat production system. caracterizar las áreas de tierra comunales Participatory cartography indicated that producers utilizadas por un sistema tradicional de have good knowledge of their territory; more than producción de cabras. La cartografía participativa 80% of the spatial distribution and localization of indica que los productores tienen buen the elements and shapes present in the community conocimiento de su territorio; más del 80% de la map agreed with the map constructed with GIS. distribución espacial y la localización de los All flocks were mainly grazed on communal elementos y figuras presentes en el mapa realizado rangelands where the most important native por la comunidad coinciden con el mapa forage plants were Opuntia spp. Yucca filifera, construido por el GIS.
    [Show full text]
  • Notice of Release: Batamote Germplasm Desert Zinnia
    THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TUCSON PLANT MATERIALS CENTER TUCSON, ARIZONA NOTICE OF RELEASE OF BATAMOTE GERMPLASM DESERT ZINNIA The Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture announces the naming and release ofBatamote desert zinnia (Zinnia acerosa (DC.) A. Gray). Batamote desert zinnia has been assigned the NRCS Accession number 9094064. Batamote germplasm is released as a selected class of certified seed. This alternative release procedure is justified by the lack of existing commercial sources of desert zinnia. Propagation material of this species is needed for ecosystem restoration and enhancement in southern Arizona. The potential for immediate use is high. There is currently no released germplasm of desert zinnia. Species: Zinnia acerosa (DC.) A. Gray Common Name: desert zinnia Plant Symbol: ZIAC Accession Numbers: 9094064 Collection Site Information Arizona Batamote germplasm is a composite of 9 accessions collected from native desert zinnia stands in southeastern Arizona, Major Land Resource Area 41(MLRA 41) (Table 1). MLRA 41 corresponds with Level 3 Ecoregion 79. Plant materials were collected from distinct locations in southeastern Arizona to develop a population of desert zinnia with a broad genetic base and adaptation to the range of conditions in southeastern Arizona (Fig. 1). Legend ·Ill.A-· • 21.C 'It C'itle, IIII MLRA_41 c:::J MLAA_40 LJMLRA_98 - lntentates Figure 1. Collection locations of Batamote Germplasm desert zinnia. Table 1. Accession
    [Show full text]
  • Master Gardener Corner: Zinnias Originally Published: Week of August 30, 2016
    This article is part of a weekly series published in the Batavia Daily News by Jan Beglinger, Agriculture Outreach Coordinator for CCE of Genesee County. Master Gardener Corner: Zinnias Originally Published: Week of August 30, 2016 Zinnias have been a popular garden annual for many years. Not only do they come in a wide range of flower colors and shapes but they are easy to grow from seed. Native to the southwest US, Mexico and Central America, they can tolerate hot summer temperatures. They were named for the 18th century German botanist, Johann Gottfried Zinn, who wrote the first scientific description of the flower. The wild zinnia that Zinn found in the Mexican desert was a small, weedy plant with a purplish-red, daisy-like flower and a protruding cone. Spanish colonists called them “mal de ojos,” (evil eye). Seeds were sent to Europe and plant breeders started playing with them. The gardening world didn’t become interested in zinnias until 1920 when Bodger Seeds Ltd. introduced ‘Giant Dahlia’ and ‘California Giant.’ Still available today, they come in a variety of colors and the blooms are large and flat- petaled. Zinnias come in such a wide variety of colors (except blue, black and brown), that you can choose from bright, brilliant reds, oranges, yellows and pinks to soft, creamy pastels, white and even green flowers. There are also bi-colors, striped and speckled varieties to choose from. Zinnias bloom in many shapes and sizes. Blooms can range from one-half to six inches wide. They may be single, semi-double, or double.
    [Show full text]