FROM THE GROUND UP | LINN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

By Beula Dvorak

Growing zinnias in my home garden reminds me daily of my grandmother and mother, both of whom grew zinnias year after year without much effort. They are perhaps one of the easiest flowers to grow being low maintenance, heat and drought tolerant and available in a variety of colors.

Zinnias, native to our southern neighbor of Mexico, are, in fact, one of the most popular annual plants world-wide. Over the years a number of cultivars have been developed, providing the gardener with a wide array of choices for the just right planting in the garden.

A personal favorite of mine is 'Cut and Come Again,” a Zinnia elegans, which is a tall, upright type with wide, coarse leaves and large flowers. These will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and are prolific bloomers.

Another of the zinnia elegans is 'Magellan,” which grows approximately 14 inches high with large blooms.

Another personal favorite is the 'Zahara” series, a cross between the elegans and angustifolia (low-growing, narrow leaf). These grow 8 to 12 inches tall, are disease resistant, have large flowers and come in a wide range of colors.

The 'Profusion,” also a cross similar to Zahara, has been a favorite over recent years. Growing about 12 inches high, they branch out with dense, narrow leaves spreading to nearly 15 inches, and are covered with small, single flowers throughout the season. These are highly resistant to mildew and other foliage diseases.

The 'Thumbelina” zinnia is a short variety, growing only about 6 to 8 inches high and have small pom pom type blossoms.

No matter which variety you choose for your garden, growing zinnias is easy.

Plant in full sun and well- drained soil and little garden prep is required. They can be transplanted or direct sown into the garden. In fact, good success in germination occurs even when you scatter the seeds over the soil and gently water in. No digging or even covering may be necessary. They can handle dry conditions so water only when needed and only at the base of the plants. Wet leaves as well as overly wet weather can lead to powdery mildew or leaf spot on zinnias.

Deadheading helps to produce more flowers. Zahara zinnias are self-cleaning so deadheading is not needed.

Not only are zinnias easy to grow but they are butterfly magnets. The larger flowered varieties act like landing pads for those nectar-seeking butterflies as well as hummingbirds. My husband and I typically release Monarch butterflies we have grown onto a large zinnia flower. What a beautiful picture that makes.

It's easy to save zinnia seeds to sow the following year. Simply let the flowers dry fully on the stem, collect the seedheads and lightly crush them in your hands to release the seed crop. Store in a cool dry place carefully labeled so you know what they are the following spring.

By following some few basic guidelines for growing, you, too, can enjoy a wide variety of colorful zinnias in your garden site year after coming year. And perhaps your grandchildren will someday fondly remember those beautiful flowers growing in their grandma's garden.

' For gardening questions, call the Linn County Extension Master Gardener Hortline at (319) 447-0647.