Zinnias for mass planting

13 years ago

Here's a photo from last summer of my Blvd. planting of Bright Jewels Mix from Scheepers Seeds.

I was pleased with outcome, but like everyone - I want to try another variety or varieties of zinnia - just for the heck of it. The combined length and width of the 2 beds would be approximately 30 x 6 feet. I'm totally open to mixed colors or just a couple of colors or whatever.

Height is the most important thing. One year the zinnias I planted reached 4 feet and that was too tall. They looked out of proportion to the width of the beds. Last year, the Bright Jewels reached about 3 feet and that was much better. I think I want to stay at 3 feet or under, but I don't want really small growers.

Any suggestions as to varieties I might want to take a look at? The mixed colors are nice, but I was also thinking of going with only three colors like orange, purple and white, but I would be open to other suggestions too. I definitely want to stay with all zinnias. I adore them!

Thanks much

Kevin

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

13 years ago

Ken....it's not heavy on orange if he likes orange! :-)

I really like to see a combination of strong colors. Bright pink, purple, and orange is a good example. Orange, red, and purple would be HOT! As in sexy. Unexpected. Orange, yellow, and red would be mouth watering.

My all-time favorite combo is (maybe) orange from a variety of plants, true blue, with a smattering of white. Why is that a favorite? The memories of country roads lined with orange daylilies (ditch lilies), chickory, and Queen Anne's lace.

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Comments (7)

aachenelf z5 Mpls
Original Author
13 years ago
I should re-emphasize, my main concern is height. I want to stay at 3 feet or under and I've been having problems determining how high various varieties grow. For instance, depending on which website you look at Purple Prince is listed as anywhere between 2 and 4 feet. I realize too much shade can make plants stretch, but this area is full sun, so I'm looking for something that really does stay at the height I want.

Thanks

Kevin
zen_man
13 years ago
Hi Kevin,

There are a lot of possibilities, but my first choice for your requirements would be Burpeeana Giants Mix. They have big blooms on somewhat lower plants that start to bloom at about 15 inches and ultimately form bushes about 2 feet tall. Your picture looks quite good. That mix of zinnias in your picture is a little strong on orange, but it still works.

The Burpeeanas have a complete color range (except no greens and obviously no blues) and they should look fine in your situation. Their seed is a little on the expensive side, even though they are not F1 hybrids. I grow and breed zinnias for a hobby, and I plan to grow a couple of beds of Burpeeanas this year myself, just to add some new blood to my zinnia gene pool.

ZM
(not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)
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aachenelf z5 Mpls
Original Author
13 years ago
ZM

Thanks so much for the suggestion. I'll definitely check them out and the height looks perfect. It's been a long time since I've looked at a Burpee catalog.

Even though those seed are higher priced than most, it would still be cheap to do these beds. I doubt there are more than 50 plants in those 2 beds, so if I were to order 2 pkgs. of seed (to be on the safe side) - $10 is still very cheap for a 30 foot area.

I agree, last summer's beds were strong on orange, but when you direct sow it's hit or miss as to what the final result will be.

Kevin
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
That mix of zinnias in your picture is a little strong on orange, but it still works.

==>> thats an understatement.. everywhere in the world.. except maybe pumpkinville.. lol ...

i dont know what you meant with your 3 colors ['orange, purple and white'] .. but i hope you did NOT mean stripes ... it would look to 'forced' to my eye ...

i like the riotous mix.. more like a meadow effect .. rather than lined up soldiers ....

thats a tough spot to fill.. i think the zinnia worked perfectly ....

ken
porkchop_z5b_MI
13 years ago
I say do the whole planting in "Uproar Rose" !! Fab-u-LUSH cultivar :0)
aachenelf z5 Mpls
Original Author
13 years ago
Ken

Thanks. Nope, I didn't mean stripes. I like stuff kind of random. I was thinking a planting of lots of purple with just a few orange and white zinnias thrown in for accent or maybe lots of purple with just a few orange. Not sure.

mxk

Uproar is gorgeous! I know I've looked at that one before, but it's good to know it does perform as the catalogs say it does.

Thanks for the specific suggestions. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Now I just have to stop myself from digging up all the grass on my Blvds. and doing a REAL mass planting of zinnias. Can you imagine about 200 feet of them? It's so tempting and I hate grass so much.

Kevin