By Fredricka Bogardus
Colorado Master Gardener
Zinnias might be at the end of the alphabet, but if you are looking to fill some bare spots in the garden, they should be at the top of your list.
Annual zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are widely available, both as seed and plants. They come in a rainbow of colors as well as many sizes. Annual plants are those that complete their lifecycle in one season. Because the plants start from seed each growing season, they are prolific bloomers, yielding large amounts of seed each season. They flower from early summer until the autumn frost.
Zinnias thrive in full sun (a minimum of 6 hours per day at summer solstice), and they tolerate heat, harsh western sun and wind. They are really tough. Keep plants or seeds moist until they establish. Well-draining soil is preferred.
If you are planting seeds, plan on about a week for germination in warm soil (60-70 degrees). Since they grow quickly, direct seeding in June will provide several months of vibrant blooms. They are highly deer resistant.
The long bloom season and vibrant colors attract and provide nectar for pollinators. To keep blooms accessible by pollinators, select single and semi double blooms over the frillier double and cactus blooms. Your garden will soon be buzzing, fluttering and humming with bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
In addition to providing some garden color, zinnias make great cut flowers. Since flowering is so prolific with zinnias, you can enjoy the color both in the garden and in your home. Deadheading will encourage more blooms.
Seed is easily collected in late summer. They are tropical plants so they will not reseed on their own in our climate. If you want zinnias next year, save some seed.
There is another kind of zinnia to consider: Zinnia grandiflora, or plains zinnia, is native to Colorado. It is a perennial plant that tolerates light shade and native soils, even dry calciferous soils. It is a low-growing perennial and a 6- to 8-inch mound-shaped plant with numerous bright-yellow flowers. As a native, it benefits native insects and butterflies.
For more information on this plant and many other native plants, check out the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center (wildflower.org). While this native is not the garden drama queen of its tropical cousins, it is a great perennial to add to your garden.
Submit gardening questions to [email protected] or call 719-520-7684. The in-person help desk is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit elpaso.extension.colostate.edu and register for upcoming classes at epcextension.eventbrite.com.
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