Around 20 species of Zinnia<\/i> are found in the wild, mainly annuals<\/a> but with some perennials<\/a> and shrubs<\/a>. The genus is named after the 18th-century German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, who first described the flower. Zinnias have their own style with rich green foliage setting off fiery daisy flowers and reptilian, prominently scaled flower buds.<\/span><\/p>\n Jump to<\/strong><\/p>\n The most striking are the old-fashioned, tall, large-flowered forms bred from the wild Zinnia elegans<\/em> \u2013 a coarse plant from Mexican deserts, at 1m tall with single purple flowers 5cm across. All make excellent cut flowers<\/a> lasting several days. Zinnia<\/em> Giant Double Mixed is a stirring mix of tall, double and semi-double flowers, up to 11cm across, blended in garish shades of yellows, pinks, oranges<\/a>, and deep reds. Zinnia Dahlia Flowered Mixed is similar (if not identical).<\/p>\n The most striking of all the large-flowered cultivars are the Zinnia<\/em> Benary\u2019s Giant Series, which appear in a range of vivid single colours. Plants are robust on thick branching stems growing 1.3m tall and 0.5m wide. \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant Salmon Rose\u2019, \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant Lilac\u2019, \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant Deep Red\u2019, \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant White\u2019 and \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant Orange\u2019 are just a selection that I grow. Other colours are available from rich carmine red to yellow but seed is difficult to source in the UK, with the full range available only from the USA.<\/p>\n Zinnia<\/em> Giant Cactus Flowered Mixed is also tall at 1m and has full flower heads packed with gently quilled petals. The blend comes in six or seven colours and works well in mixed borders although sometimes plants are of ragged appearance.<\/p>\n Recent breeding efforts have favoured dwarfing, producing ungraceful stocky plants with large flowers. Here impact seems to have conquered grace, but a few of the large-flowered, short-stemmed hybrids still retain the charm and character of their parents. For example, plants of the Zinnia elegans<\/em> Dreamland Series are just 40cm high and not overly squat. Their plump double flowers are most effective at the front of borders or in pots. Coral, ivory, pink, yellow and rose and a mixture exists, but \u2018Dreamland Scarlet\u2019 in fiery orange<\/a> and \u2018Dreamland Red\u2019 in deeper red, both with yellow centres, inject intense colour without sacrificing much space.<\/p>\n Zinnias are hot-weather plants that crave heat and love sun. Little is gained by starting them early as cool temperatures could delay planting out.<\/p>\n Zinnias thrive in light, rich, well-drained soil. They will tolerate drought<\/a> but need water while establishing in order to develop a root system. Avoid excessive watering as this will reduce the risks of fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and Alternaria solani<\/em> blight, which causes reddish-brown lesions on the leaf. Fungicides can be used to overcome any problems but on the whole zinnias are trouble-free as long as summers are hot.<\/p>\n Staking may be necessary for taller zinnias. A single bamboo cane behind each plant, with string looped around the principal stems, is sufficient. Plants should be deadheaded regularly unless spent blooms are hidden by new flowers.<\/p>\n Zinnias make good partners to a range of summer flowering plants<\/a>, including salvias<\/a>. Zinnia<\/em> \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant Salmon Rose\u2019 is a stunning cohort to the fine velvet red lances of Salvia<\/a> confertiflora<\/em> with a backdrop of green and cream variegated Euonymus<\/a> fortunei \u2018<\/em>Silver Queen\u2019. Zinnia<\/em> \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant Lilac\u2019 is equally effective next to intense blue Salvia<\/em> \u2018Indigo Spires\u2019, flowering until autumn.<\/p>\n The tall fleabane (Erigeron annuus<\/em>) produces a froth of white daisies all summer long, setting off the rich red heads of Zinnia<\/em> \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant Red\u2019. Zinnia<\/em> \u2018Dreamland Scarlet\u2019 and Zinnia<\/em> \u2018Profusion White\u2019 or Zinnia<\/em> \u2018Profusion Orange\u2019 blend well with the pale blue South American annual Browallia americana.<\/p>\n Mix of double and semi-double flowers in a range of bold colours. The dramatic blooms can be 11cm across and have a central disc with a contrasting ring of bright yellow fertile florets. The plant grows up to 1m tall.<\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/18\/2023\/03\/Zinnia-Benarys-Giant-Orange-SLP100819154918-3dd13c2.jpg?quality=90&crop=7px%2C1344px%2C2899px%2C1931px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Zinnias: everything you need to know<\/h2>\n
How tall do zinnias grow<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>How to grow zinnias<\/h2>\n
Sowing zinnias<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>How to care for zinnias<\/h3>\n
What to plant with zinnias<\/h3>\n
The best zinnias to grow<\/h2>\n
Zinnia<\/em> Giant Double Mixed<\/h3>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Zinnia<\/em> \u2018Benary\u2019s Giant White\u2019<\/h3>\n
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