Zinnia - Scabious Flowered Mixed
This is a classic cottage garden variety. The unique blend features gorgeous, crested blooms in scarlet, pink, orange, yellow and cream. It is effervescent in the border, and makes a long lasting and attractive cut flower.
Sow March to April. Germinate at 20-30C on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Cover seed with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 10-24 days. Do not exclude light as this helps germination. Alternatively, sow April to May in shallow drills, 30cm apart in well cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Thin out seedlings when large enough to handle. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into trays or 7.5cm pots. Grow on in cooler, well-lit conditions for 1-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 3cm apart. Prefers a rich, well-drained soil in full sun.