Are zinnias perennial plants that don’t require yearly replacement? Zinnias are both annuals and perennials that grow brilliant flowers. There are multiple species represented in these blooms. On the other hand, the common or charming zinnia is the variety most often found in gardens.
Are you considering planting zinnias in your garden, but you’re unsure if you’ll need to do so each year? Given that it would require additional work each planting season, gardeners frequently ask this question. This article poses whether or not zinnia flowers are considered perennials.
Perennial Zinnias
A few native zinnias of the American Southwest are perennials, the most well-known being Zinnia grandiflora, also known as Rocky Mountain zinnia or plains zinnia. This variety of zinnia, hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 9, differs greatly from its more popular annual cousin.
The plains zinnia is a low-growing plant with solitary, pale yellow flowers. This plant thrives in more arid and rugged environments, making it a great option for a rock garden or walkway border. A native plant dealer might have seeds or plants of perennial zinnias.
Growing Zinnias from Seeds
Annual zinnias will not survive past your current growing season, although they may self-seed if given the chance. Self-seeding zinnias won’t yield exact replicas of their parent plants, but you will still get to enjoy fresh hybrid zinnias.
When gardeners wish to grow a certain variety, they normally just buy fresh seeds and plant them every spring instead of relying on self-seeding.
Because zinnias are easy to cultivate from seeds, they make a great flower for children or first-time gardeners. Sow the seeds in an area with full light (zinnias tolerate high temperatures) and rich, well-drained soil. Additionally, they thrive in pots, particularly the shorter types.
When and How to Plant Zinnia Seeds
Warm soil promotes the faster germination of zinc seedlings. Plant zinnia seeds in the spring, approximately ¼ inch deep, after the last date of frost in your location and the ground has warmed up. Since zinnia seeds are thin and tiny, it’s okay if two lands in the same hole. If necessary, you can thin them afterward.
Plants of zinnias can be grouped quite closely with one another. A wider range will require a little more room. Sow Plant the seeds 8 to 12 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. To prevent them from growing too large, plant shorter varieties closer together.
Zinnias are prone to leaf diseases such as powdery mildew and spots brought on by water droplets; therefore, to ensure healthy growth, it is best to irrigate new seedlings from below.
Because midday temperatures are warmer, there is an additional benefit to watering in the morning when feasible: any water splashes will dry more quickly.
Harvesting
In the year following the flower harvest, the tulip bulb may begin to sprout leaves, but flowers won’t appear for another year or two. The plant requires a lot of energy to generate such beautiful flowers, so before it can bloom again, it must refill its energy storage.
Since they are relatively easy to produce from seed, many gardeners may either purchase fresh seeds or gather seeds from plants they already own. In addition, zinnias can self-seed under some circumstances.
The possibility that a perennial flower won’t make it through the winter in the gardener’s hardiness zone is another reason to handle it as an annual. Therefore, unless the gardener intends to move the plants indoors for the winter, zinnias would need to be sown again in the spring.
Conclusion
First of all, I urge you to give growing zinnias in your garden a go if you haven’t before. The outcome will probably make you very happy!
More than anything, though, I hope you now know how annuals and perennials differ from one another and how we gardeners may go above and beyond to provide beauty and diversity to our landscapes.
Whatever zinnia species or variety you decide to cultivate, one thing is certain: each bloom is pollinator nirvana and adds a splash of colour to any landscape!
FAQ
What is the lifespan of zinnia flowers in a vase?
When grown in the right conditions, zinnias can survive for seven to ten days. For the longest vase life, zinnias are best harvested early in the morning, once the dew has evaporated, or late in the afternoon, once the light has waned.
Remove as many leaves as you can, being careful to eliminate those that have come into contact with water. Trim them to length inside the home while they are soaking in the garden water. Every other day, add more flower food and re-fill the vase with water.
Do zinnia blossoms have their petals clipped and then regrow?
Obviously! Regularly plucking and deadheading any wasted flowers will encourage more blossoming. While cutting a long stem, save as many of the remaining leaves, branches, and nodes as possible.
Do zinnias withstand deer?
Many gardeners believe that zinnias are very resistant to deer and are often left alone. Of course, no plant is completely safe from deer, especially when they’re just tiny, beautiful branches known as seedlings.