Distinctly marked, brightly coloured, semi cactus-like blooms
An outstanding garden performer
Freely flowering throughout the summer
Ideal for attracting bees and butterflies
Description
Fill your beds and borders with these distinctly marked, brightly coloured, semi cactus-like blooms, each with contrasting petal tips. Zinnia elegans 'Whirlygig Mixed' is an outstanding garden performer, freely flowering throughout the summer. These vibrant zinnia flowers are ideal for attracting bees and butterflies to your garden and also make an attractive cut flower for a vase indoors. Height: 60cm (24"). Spread: 30cm (12").
Sowing
Direct sow zinnia seeds outdoors where they are to grow from April to May once the soil has warmed. Choose a position in full sun on moist, well drained soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Sow seeds thinly, at a depth of 3mm (1/8") in drills spaced 30cm (12") apart. Water the ground regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination usually takes 7-14 days. When zinnia seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to 23cm (9") apart.
Alternatively, sow indoors from March to April at a temperature of 15-25C (59-77F). After sowing, keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged and do not exclude light as this helps germination. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant and grow them on in cooler conditions. When zinnia plants are well grown and all risk of frost has passed, gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting outdoors.
More Info
Water regularly until zinnia plants are fully established. Deadhead faded zinnia flowers to encourage more blooms to be produced.
