Perennial Zinnias

By David Wall
Guest Columnist

There are some 20 know species of zinnia, with roughly half being annuals. When buying seeds or plants, you're normally getting annuals, although they can be quasi perennial by seeds dropping in the fall and sprouting a new crop of annuals next year.  The remaining 50% are perennial, with most of them being of little to no interest.

There are, however,  two species that offer considerable value to your flower beds. They are Zinnia acerosa and Zinnia grandiflora.  Both are native to the United States. A great trait for each is their ability to tolerate drought and grow in very poor soils.  Further they can survive down to 4°F.  Also, they're considered both rabbit and deer proof!

Grandiflora is more showy of the two and native to our area. It grows to about 10" tall and is covered with 1" yellow petal/orange center flowers and needle-like leaves. It's great for xeric gardens and tolerates very poor but well drained soil. It likes hot, dry weather, and cannot tolerate highly wet soil particularly in the winter. Both species, once established, will "live forever"!!!

Acerosa grows to about one foot tall but is also one foot across. It also tolerates poor but well drained soil, even soil so poor, native grasses and weeds have a hard time surviving. The literature suggests that the plant thrives on nature's abuse!  If given water, it can bloom from spring into fall.

 Though an obvious asset to flower gardens, these perennials are not as well known or as popular as annual zinnias. This extends to purchasing seeds locally, which is highly iffy at best. If you want to start them yourselves, you can Google Zinnia grandiflora or acerosa and order seeds or even actual plants on-line or from a catalog. Be prepared for a considerable search.