Z as in Zinnia

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Zinnia

Species: Zinnia elegans

Common names: common zinnia, youth-and-old-age Swedish name: zinnia

Zinnia is a genus of annuals, shrubs, and sub-shrubs native to scrub and dry grassland primarily in North America, with a few species in South America. Members of the genus are notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers but some have a lax habit with spreading stems that mound over the surface of the ground. The flowers come in a variety of bright colors and a wide range of appearances, from a single row of petals, to a dome shape. Zinnias seem to be a favorite of butterflies, and other pollinators like hummingbirds. Making them valuable as wildlife plants in the garden. Zinnias are a desirable companion plant, benefiting plants that are grown with it. A number of species of zinnia are popular flowering plants, cultivars and hybrids are common. Their varied habits allow for uses in several parts of a garden.

Zinnia elegans is an annual flowering plant grown in the summer. It is one of the most familiar zinnias. They are popular garden flowers for many reasons. Wild Zinnia elegans is a desert plant found in Mexico. Garden varieties may escape and naturalize.

Zinnia

Description: Zinnia elegans has hundreds of cultivars in many flower colors, sizes and forms. Flower colors range from white and cream to pinks, reds, and purples, to green, yellow, apricot, orange, salmon, and bronze. Some are striped, speckled or bicolored. There are single, semi-double, and double forms and even pom-pom forms resembling dahlias. Sizes range from dwarf to about 1 meter tall. The smaller varieties can be grown in containers.

How to grow: Zinnia elegans is grown in fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained soil, in full sun with good air circulation. They grow best in dry, warm, frost-free regions, and are drought-tolerant. Deadhead spent blossoms to continue flowering. They will set seed each year so make sure you collect some. Propagation by seed.

Wrap-up of the A to Z bouquet

April has passed by and the final post is now written and hopefully read. I have made a category for all my posts published during this month, called A to Z challenge. There you will find all the plants from the Amaranthus to the Zinnia. If you search for a recipe or a craft just search for the category in the sidebar. I hope you will stop by and pay a visit even though the challenge of 2015 is finished.

I want to thank the participants of the challenge for sharing your posts. I have found a diversity of blogs and bloggers from all around the world. Which have been enriching and joyful. I have a lot of catch up to do since it was impossible to read every post and visit every blog during this month.

Thanks to the hosts and team behind the challenge for your response and a well administrated challenge. I had so much fun.

I am also thankful for every visit, like and comment. My gratitude is beyond words.

Participant 613 – over and out!

 

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Challenge completed…