ZINNIA 



ZINNIA 



3545 



are hardy plants, growing a foot or more high and covered 

 from July until the first hard frost with double flowers 2 

 inches or more across. Several well-marked colors are 

 commonly seen in zinnias white, sulfur, yellow, golden 

 yellow, orange, scarlet-orange, scarlet, flesh-color, hlac, 

 rose, magenta, crimson, violet, purple, and dark purple. 

 There are also variegated forms, but the solid colors are 

 most popular. The zinnia is rich in shades of purple and 

 orange, but lacks the blue and pink of the China aster 

 and is poor in reds compared with the dahlia. Three 

 forms or classes of the common zinnia (Z. elegans) may 

 be noted here: 



I. Tall zinnias are ordinarily 20 to 30 inches high. 

 This size and the next smaller size are the favorites for 

 general purposes. The tall kinds are available in twelve 

 and more colors. A robust race, which attains 28 to 40 

 inches under perfect conditions, is sometimes known to 

 the trade as Z. elegans robusta grandiflora plenissima. 

 It is also known as the Giant or Mammoth strain. This 

 strain was developed after many years by Herr C. 

 Lorenz and was introduced in 1886. A maximum 

 diameter of 6 inches is recorded for flowers of this strain. 

 In G.C. II. 26:461 is shown a flower measuring 4 by 4 

 inches, with about eighteen series of rays, the latter 

 being so numerous and crowded that the flower is less 

 regular than the common type. A specimen zinnia plant 

 3 feet high is attained in the North only by starting the 

 seed early and giving perfect culture. 



II. Medium-sized zinnias range from 12 to 20 inches 

 in height. They are available in several colors. Here 

 belong most of the forms known to trade catalogues 

 as Z. pumila, Z. nana, and Z. compacta. 



III. Dwarf zinnias range from 3 to 12 inches in 

 height and are of two subtypes, the pompons and the 

 Tom Thumbs. The pompons, or "Liliputians," are 

 taller-growing and smaller-flowered, generally about 9 

 inches high, with a profusion of flowers about 2 inches 

 across. The Tom Thumb type represents the largest 

 possible flower on the smallest possible plant. _ Both 

 types are available in several colors, not all of which are 

 yet fixed in the seed. 



Second in importance to Z. elegans is Z. Haageana. 

 The single form was introduced to cultivation about 

 1861 and the double about 1871. It is dwarfer 

 than most zinnias, and has smaller flowers, with a 

 color-range restricted to shades of orange. It is dis- 

 tinct and pretty but less showy than the common 

 zinnias. The first race of hybrids between Z. 

 Haageana and Z. elegans appeared in 1876 under 

 the name of Z. Daruinii. This group is said to 

 resemble Z. elegans in size and color of flowers and 

 to recede from Z. elegans in habit, being more 

 branched and forming a broader and thicker bush. 



Zinnias are of the easiest culture, thriving in any 

 deep good soil, whether loamy or sandy. The seeds 

 may be sown about May 1, or whenever the soil is in 

 fit condition for hardy annuals. Such treatment will 

 give flowers from 

 the first of July 

 until frost. The 

 young plants should 

 be thinned so as to 

 stand 1 to 2 feet 

 apart, depending on 

 whether they are 

 of medium- or tall- 

 growing habit. By 

 midsummer the foli- 

 age should obscure 

 the ground. For the 

 very best results 

 the seed may be 

 started indoors 

 about April 1, and 

 the seedlings trans- 

 planted once or 

 twice before being 

 placed outdoors in 

 permanent quar- 

 ters. Dwarf varie- 

 ties should be set 

 14 to 16 inches 

 apart: taller kinds 

 2 feet each way. 

 Zinnias are essenti- 

 ally coarse plants, 

 but if the tall kinds 

 are massed heavily 

 in the borders or at 4049 Double zinnias Z. elegans. (XH) 

 some distance they 



produce striking and very acceptable effects. Their 

 colors are strong, and the stoutness of stems and foli- 

 age add to the composition. 



A. Plant annual. 



B. Achenes of the disk-fls. short arid broad, obovate, 2-2)$ 

 lines long. ' 



c. Colors various: irs. clasping, 

 cordate-ovate or elliptic. 



elegans, Jacq. YOUTH- AXD-OLD- AGE. 

 Figs. 4048^4050. Erect annual, a foot 

 or more high, but varying from 3 in. 



ilKl 



4050. Common garden zinnias, single and semi-double. Z. elegans. 



