Zinnia ‘Precious Metals’
Zinnia elegans
Description
This giant-flowered mix includes shades of linen, icy lavender, pale pink, soft peach, and palomino. As flowers age, the lower petals often fade to turquoise dusted with lavender, giving blooms an icy metallic quality. The flower heads are dense and leathery and the backs of the petals have apple-green veining. To experience their full range of coloring, allow flowers to mature on the plant.
Details
Planting depth: ¼ in
Germination soil temp: 60°F–80°F
Days to germination: 3 to 5 days
Site: full sun
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Days to maturity: 75 to 95 days
Height: 48 to 56 in
Germination soil temp: 60°F–80°F
Days to germination: 3 to 5 days
Site: full sun
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Days to maturity: 75 to 95 days
Height: 48 to 56 in
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Sow seeds indoors in trays or pots 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. Zinnias are very cold sensitive, so wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting outside. Zinnias can also be direct-seeded into the garden once weather is consistently warm.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Use the “wiggle test”: Grab the stem about 8 in down from the flower and gently shake it. If the stem is droopy or bends, don’t cut yet. If the stem is stiff and remains erect, it is ready to harvest. Do not put in the cooler. Zinnias are notorious for making their water murky. To combat this, add a few drops of bleach to the water. Expect a vase life of 7 days.
Details
Description
This giant-flowered mix includes shades of linen, icy lavender, pale pink, soft peach, and palomino. As flowers age, the lower petals often fade to turquoise dusted with lavender, giving blooms an icy metallic quality. The flower heads are dense and leathery and the backs of the petals have apple-green veining. To experience their full range of coloring, allow flowers to mature on the plant.
Details
Planting depth: ¼ in
Germination soil temp: 60°F–80°F
Days to germination: 3 to 5 days
Site: full sun
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Days to maturity: 75 to 95 days
Height: 48 to 56 in
Germination soil temp: 60°F–80°F
Days to germination: 3 to 5 days
Site: full sun
Plant spacing: 9 to 12 in
Pinch: when 8 to 12 in tall
Days to maturity: 75 to 95 days
Height: 48 to 56 in
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Sow seeds indoors in trays or pots 4 to 6 weeks before your last frost. Zinnias are very cold sensitive, so wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting outside. Zinnias can also be direct-seeded into the garden once weather is consistently warm.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Use the “wiggle test”: Grab the stem about 8 in down from the flower and gently shake it. If the stem is droopy or bends, don’t cut yet. If the stem is stiff and remains erect, it is ready to harvest. Do not put in the cooler. Zinnias are notorious for making their water murky. To combat this, add a few drops of bleach to the water. Expect a vase life of 7 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Seed-Saving Mini Course
Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia
In our free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.
