Tag: cutting garden

How to Grow Zinnias for a Colourful Garden – Garden Therapy

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If you’re looking for a vibrant, beginner-friendly addition to your garden, zinnias are an excellent choice. With large blooms and a variety of colour and size options, these beautiful flowers are easy to grow and harvest. They’ll look beautiful in your garden and in a vase! If you’re ready to get planting, here is everything you need to know about how to grow zinnias.

If you’ve ever taken a stroll through a flower garden or even the floral department at your local grocery store, you’re likely familiar with zinnias. Known for their vibrant colours, these flowers are a popular choice for gardeners and florists alike.

Not only do zinnias come in a variety of colours and sizes, but they are also known for producing multiple blooms. West Coast Seeds recently sent me some zinnia seeds, so you can bet I’m going to be on a zinnia kick here soon.

So, if you’re like me and want to adorn your dining room table with freshly cut flowers, these plants can provide a magnificent addition to your arrangement all summer long. If you prefer to leave your petals outside, you can even grow zinnias in pots.

These hearty, low-maintenance plants are perfect for newcomers looking to grow something beautiful and an old standby for more experienced gardeners.

Zinnia flowers come in all kinds of colours and combinations.

Meet the Zinnia

Zinnias are recognizable by their full, round blooms that come in just about every colour under the sun. It was these bright hues that earned them their original Aztec name, which translates to “plants that are hard on the eyes.” Native to Mexico and Central America, the flowers got the name zinnia from German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, who brought the plant to Europe in the 1700s.

Now, the zinnia is popular for many reasons. Their colour and size varieties make them a versatile medium for florists and the perfect aesthetic choice for gardeners looking to curate their flowerbeds. They can also help improve the overall health of your garden as they attract pollinators, such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

If you’re looking to take advantage of this easy-to-grow flower, there are many zinnia varieties to choose from. One of my personal favourites is the Oklahoma salmon variety. As the name suggests, these zinnias boast muted pink and peach hues, which make a lovely, warm addition to any garden or bouquet.

If you’re looking for a more vibrant flower, the yellow flame zinnia might be for you. Its gradient of yellow, orange, and magenta evokes a fiery sunset. The queen series is another popular family of zinnias, available in striking green, red, and purple varieties.

Zinnias are annuals, but grow into large plants quick.

How to Grow Zinnias

Zinnias are known for being the intro to cut flowers, as they’re quite simple to grow and hardy to cutting. If you’re foraying into growing a cut flower garden, then this is the perfect place to start.

When and Where to Plant Zinnias

If you live in a warm climate, you can plant zinnia seeds directly in the ground as long as you wait at least two weeks after the last frost. Here in Canada, I prefer to start my zinnias inside. When the sprouts are 3-5 inches, they can be planted outside.

I found that my zinnia seeds sprouted QUICK. They should be moved outside within three weeks maximum after germinating, as otherwise, they can get leggy. Zinnias tend to be one of my last flowers to sow indoors.

They are heat and sun lovers, so you don’t want to get them in the ground until things are starting to warm up.

Whether you start them indoors or plant them straight in the ground, your soil should be well-drained and have a neutral pH. Place your zinnia seeds a few inches apart and press them about ¼ inches into the soil.

If you want true-to-seed zinnias, you’ll have to buy them rather than save them.

Light

Zinnias require full sunlight, so be sure to place them in a bright location in your garden or yard. They require at least 8 hours of daylight, but more is even better for these light-loving plants.

I’ve planted them in an area with partial shade before, and the slugs were quick to start munching.

Water

While established zinnias can survive mild drought, hydrated plants produce the most impressive blooms. Once zinnias are planted in the ground, they can be watered deeply once a week.

If you choose to leave them potted, give them a drink when you notice the top inch of soil has dried out.

Zinnias are pretty low maintenance in terms of cut flowers.

Pruning

Pruning is key when learning how to grow zinnias as they are considered a cut and come back flower. This means the more you prune, the more opportunity they have to grow and produce more flowers.

When the stems reach about 10 inches you can start to pinch the tops of them. Harvesting your zinnias is also a great way to encourage growth. If you prefer to leave the flowers, remove the blooms once they start to droop or dry out.

Deadheading will encourage more blooms to grow.

Common Pests and Diseases

Zinnias are fairly resistant to pests, but common insects such as aphids and spider mites can occasionally cause damage. Lighter-coloured varieties are more susceptible to pests, so you may want to harvest these flowers earlier in the season to help avoid damage.

A more common problem with zinnias is powdery mildew, especially in hot and humid areas. Leaving extra space between your seeds can help avoid this problem by providing more airflow. If your zinnias are affected by powdery mildew, baking soda and vinegar solutions can provide a simple and natural remedy.

Zinnias attract pollinators.

How to Grow Zinnias in Containers

If you have limited outdoor space or just prefer to do your gardening in planters, growing zinnias in pots is a great option. Start by selecting a suitable pot. I recommend one that’s at least 12 inches to accommodate the growth of your zinnias. Make sure it has drainage holes.

Fill your chosen container with potting soil, making sure to dampen it before adding the seeds. Zinnia seeds should be placed a few inches apart and gently pressed into the soil. In two days to a week, your seeds will begin to sprout.

After 4-6 weeks, you can place your pot in a sunny spot on your porch, garden, or yard, adding water when the first inch of soil is dry.

Make sure to thin out your seedlings if growing in a pot.

How to Cut Zinnias

You can check if your zinnias are ready to be cut by paying attention to the stem. Carefully shake the stem, holding it about 8 inches below the flower. If it bends, your flowers aren’t quite ready to be cut. If the stem is firm and stays upright, cut from the base of the stem.

When cutting, carry a bucket of water with you so you can place them right in water when harvesting the flowers. Cut in the morning, as this is when the plant is the most hydrated.

Zinnias are considered a “dirty” flower, so adding a drop or two of bleach to the water can help to keep it clean.

Once you place them in a vase, your zinnias will provide a beautiful floral arrangement for 7-10 days.

Refresh your cut flower water every other day to keep them fresh.

FAQs About Growing Zinnia Flowers

Do zinnias come back every year?

Zinnias are annuals, so you’ll need to plant new seeds each spring. Luckily, they’re easy to take care of once you learn how to grow zinnias, and the vibrant blossoms are worth replanting.

You can also save the seeds from your previous zinnias, and it’s quite easy to do so. After the flower head has almost dried on the stem, cut it and allow it to dry completely on a counter. Separate the papery seeds from the flower head and petals and store them in a cool, dry place for next spring.

How do I keep zinnias blooming all summer?

If you want zinnia blooms all summer, I recommend succession planting. During the early summer, plant a new crop every 2 or 3 weeks. This will give you zinnias steadily throughout the season. Also, make sure to stay on top of deadheading to encourage the plant to produce new flowers.

How do you keep zinnias short and bushy?

Pruning is key to caring for zinnias, and it can help achieve the look you’re going for. Once your zinnias grow to about 10 inches, you can pinch the tips of the stems. This will help achieve the bushy look you’re going for.

Though it might seem counterintuitive, cutting back your zinnia will help encourage growth, so make sure to thin out the plant once it starts blooming. If you’re not planning to cut the flowers for an arrangement, remove dried-up flowers regularly.

Will rabbits eat zinnias?

Rabbits do not typically eat these flowers, especially the Zinnia elegans and Z. augustofolio varieties. In fact, zinnias are known to deter rabbits, so if you have a problem with bunnies snacking on your garden, planting Zinnias could be a helpful solution.

Zinnias truly are one of the best cutting flowers to grow, being so easy yet so prolific. If you have any more questions about how to grow zinnias, leave them in the comments below.

More Cutting Flowers to Add to Your Garden!

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Stephanie Rose

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July 1, 2024
How to Grow Lilies From Bulbs – Garden Therapy

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Lilies are one of the most popular garden and cutting flowers, and for good reason! These versatile bulbs are easy to grow and can easily naturalize in the garden, returning year after year. If you want to add these bulbs to your garden, here’s what you need to know about how to grow lilies.

Lilies are one of the most versatile summer bulbs out there. They come in pretty well any colour under the rainbow, many with speckles and ombre hues. And the fragrance! Boy, when you get a fragrant variety, they do not disappoint.

Lilies are also one of the hardiest summer bulbs, acting as perennials and naturalizing in most gardens they’re planted in.

Because lilies are so popular and vast, there’s often quite a bit of confusion over what constitutes a lily. For instance, calla lilies, canna lilies, and lily of the valley are all not true lilies (read more about true lilies here).

This post will cover what you need to know about how to grow true lilies and get a wave of beautiful colour year after year.

Double flowering Oriental Lily. Lilium ‘Roselily Isabella’. Photo courtesy of flowerbulb.eu.

Sponsored post: thank you thank you to flowerbulb.eu for sponsoring this post on how to grow lilies. I love working with them because they have the simple goal of encouraging people to grow flower bulbs in their garden. Go to flowerbulb.eu for inspiration and education!

Meet the Lily Flower

Few flowers come as bold and versatile as the lily. Summer bulbs tend to provide brilliant splashes of colour, and lilies do not disappoint. They come in any colour you can think of, sometimes with spotted patterns and contrasting colours.

Most lilies bloom from June to August, but you can get flowers as early as May and as late as September for some varieties.

Lilies have been cultivated for thousands of years. Some of the first mentions of lilies date back to 4,000 years ago. The Greeks particularly loved lilies, including pictures of them on their ceramics.

Artifacts with lilies have been found from the ancient Minoan culture of Crete. Also popular in China and Japan, they’ve been used as a dining room centrepiece flower for centuries.

Native to the northern hemisphere, lilies often grow naturally in mountainous regions. They grow best in Zones 5-8, though there are lilies that can handle conditions as low as Zone 3 and zones as high as Zone 9.

Photo courtesy of flowerbulb.eu.

Lily Plant and Care Guide

Planting Instructions

When planting lilies, your best bet is to follow the instructions on the packaging. Since there are many different types of lilies out there, they all will have slightly different planting instructions.

That being said, here are some general planting instructions you can follow. The lily is a true bulb, slightly rounded in shape with a somewhat pointed top. Most lilies should be planted with the roots facing down and the “pointy” end up, about 6 inches deep.

Space your lilies 12 inches apart if you’re planting multiple bulbs. Mix in some compost when planting.

You can plant your lilies in early-to mid autumn, as well as mid-spring once the threat of frost has passed. If planting in autumn, add a layer of mulch to insulate the bulbs during the winter and suppress weeds come spring.

Sunlight Requirements

Lilies thrive in full sun, ideally getting between 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. When they have too much shade, they will try to seek it out, getting spindly and falling over in the process.

Lilies like to have cool feet, AKA they want shade on the lower half of the stem. To do this, ensure there are some ground cover plants that will shelter the base of the lily, or place some other short annuals around the base.

Lilies also pair exceptionally well with perennials since they act the same and will return the following year. I really love them with ferns!

Lilium martagon ‘Peppard Gold’

Water

Lilies like well-drained soil, as water trapped beneath the surface can rot the bulb. If you have poor soil, mixing in compost is a good idea to improve it.

Once the lily bulbs emerge in the spring, you can begin to water them. I only water mine if we’re having a noticeable spring drought, otherwise, we get enough moisture for the lilies to do fine on their own.

Lilium auratum ‘Cacharel’

Soil

Besides needing good drainage, lilies aren’t too picky about their soil. Most will prefer acidic to neutral soil, but there are a few noticeable varieties, such as Madonna lilies, that prefer alkaline soils. You can perform a pH test on your garden following these instructions.

There is no need to fertilize lilies that are planted in the garden. Just adding a layer of compost on top of the soil here and there is all your lily needs for nutrients.

‘Netty’s Pride’ Photo Courtesy of Flowerbulb.eu.

Planting Lilies in Pots

Lilies are known to grow exceptionally well in pots. Of course, the pots must be big enough to accommodate the lily, especially since we plant them about 6 inches deep. A pot that is 12-16 inches tall is good…and don’t forget one with drainage holes!

I use my own potting soil mix for my container plants, and will add in fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

Only plant low-growing lily cultivars in pots, especially if it will be in a windy place. Keep it below cultivars that are 30 inches tall or lower. Many Asiatic varieties are good for pots.

Each stalk will produce multiple blooms.

Using Lilies as Cut Flowers

You can have lilies from June to August, depending on what variety you grow. Out of the many types of lilies, Asiatic, oriental, and lilium longiflorum (Easter lilies) are some of the more popular cut flowers.

Asiatic lilies are the first to bloom. Because they grow upward and really stand out in a bouquet, they are the most common lily grown commercially for cut flowers.

Oriental lilies are well known for being very fragrant, easily filling up a room with their scent from just one bloom. They also create some of the grandest lily blooms.

Lilies are known for being a long-lasting cut flower, blooming for up to ten days once in the vase.

When cutting the flowers from your garden, cut them once the buds are coloured and the bottom flower on the stalk is just beginning to open.

Lily pollen is messy, and can stain tables or counters. So once the lily blooms, use a tissue to remove or cut off the pollen anthers.

Lilium ‘Black Beauty’

Caution: Lilies and Cats

Once upon a time, I had the most magnificent lily. The gorgeous ‘Black Beauty’ (shown above) was given to me as bulbs by a dear friend. She was so happy in my garden that she grew into a mammoth that must have neared ten feet high in her prime.

But unfortunately, I had to dig them all up.

But why, you ask? Well, it’s because my family expanded to include this guy.

Keep lilies away from cats!

If you haven’t my handsomely dressed cat yet, that’s Magic. And lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Even just a lick of the pollen on their fur can make them severely ill.

So, as much as I loved those beautiful lilies, I love Magic more. It was time to say goodbye to my lily arch. Just look at how much pollen can be on lilies!

Since I couldn’t transplant her until the end of the growing season, I had to go out every day and hand-cut the pollen from the stems the first year I had Magic. I admired my lily every day knowing she wouldn’t be in the garden next year.

While she’s now long gone and has a new home, I still hold an affinity for lilies. Any time I see them in a passing garden, I always stop to admire them. I will grow them again in my garden just as I did for the 10 years before I had a cat.

Try Growing These Summer Bulbs

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Stephanie Rose

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June 5, 2024