This heirloom variety was developed and introduced during the early 1930s as a selection of the most beautiful purple specimens of the ‘’Dahlia Flowered Mix.’’ Purple Prince is a very-tall growing dahlia, reaching about 3 feet tall. The wine-purple double-flowers with a lime green centre are real showstoppers!
Stunning when planted ‘’en masse,’’ as an addition to your cut flower garden or used to fill gaps in a sunny border, Purple Prince is sure to add a royal-purple touch to your garden. By changing the water everyday, cut flowers can last up to 10 days in a vase.
- Latin Name: Zinnia elegans
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Days to Maturity: 70
- Planting Depth: 2-3 cm
- Plant Spacing: 30 cm
- Growth Habit: 90 cm tall
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
Zinnias are a fast-growing annual that bloom abundantly, making it a favorite of home gardeners and flower farmers alike. They don’t require much maintenance and grow well in any climate. There are dwarf varieties, but most types will grow tall and bushy, up to 120 cm. Flowers range widely in colour, some resembling daisies or dahlias, while others have double blossoms or are cactus-flowered. You can’t go wrong with such a large selection to choose from. All zinnias are easy to grow and bloom prolifically.
The best way to start zinnias is by sowing seeds directly into the garden once the soil has warmed up in the spring. Seeds can be started indoors, but don’t like to be transplanted. If starting seeds inside, transplant them out very carefully when seedlings are still young.
Start seeds indoors five to seven weeks before the last frost date. Plant seeds in flats or individual pots 5 mm deep. Ideal temperatures are around 21 degrees and soil should be misted and kept moist. Germination will occur in seven to ten days under these conditions. When seedlings sprout, give them plenty of light from a sunny window or place them under grow lights for 16 hours per day. Keep lights 10-12 cm above seedlings. Thin them out when they have two sets of true leaves. When the first frost has passed, the seedlings are ready to be hardened off and prepared for transplanting.
To sow seeds directly, prepare the bed by tilling and removing all weeds. Level and smooth out the soil and plant seeds about 30 cm apart. Cover lightly with soil and an organic mulch like straw. The mulch will keep down weeds, protect the seeds and seedlings as they grow and help to retain moisture. Because of the mulch, the seeds won’t become dislodged when watering. Water the seeds in well and keep them moist through germination. Several rounds of seeds can be sown early in the year to stagger the blooming period.
When selecting your garden site, make sure it receives full sun all year long. This will result in the most blooms and can help keep foliage dry and free of powdery mildew. The soil should be well-drained to keep your zinnias growing happily. They won’t do well in damp soil. Too much moisture can lead to mildew and other fungal diseases. They will survive even in poor soils, but you can add compost or fertilizer occasionally throughout the season.
Zinnias are the ultimate cut flower because of their high yield of brightly coloured blossoms, prized for arrangements and bouquets.
QUICK FACTS
- Zinnias were first noticed in 1789 by Spanish botanists Mocino and Sesse, who found zinnias growing wild in arid parts of southern Mexico.
- The name ‘’zinnia’’ is coined in honour of German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn, who is credited with having been the first to grow this species after it was discovered.
- Zinnia seeds will remain viable for 5 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.
