Zahara Zinnia
Today I’m at the MSU South Mississippi Branch Station in Poplarville checking
out the Zahara zinnia in the trial gardens. Zahara zinnia are tolerant
of hot and droughty conditions, and that’s good for our Mississippi landscapes. Zahara
zinnia are great choices for providing annual color in the landscape. The
selections in the Zahara series are well branched to support the abundant
flowering. There’s a wide range of new colors including yellow, white,
and scarlet. A favorite of mine is Starlight Rose. This is a
bi-color selection of white petals with a splash of deep rose shining from
the center. However, the deep rose coloration is variable in hot weather. But
perhaps the most exciting are the double flower selections. Double
Cherry has deep magenta blooms while Double Fire is a hot scarlet orange. Both
double Zaharas have centers that lighten as the flowers mature. Zahara
zinnia should be planted in the full sun knowing the flower color will not
bleach out. In many areas of Mississippi planting in raised beds will
result in superior plant growth and flowering all summer long. These
are low maintenance flowering bedding plants. Transplanted in the landscape
Zahara zinnia will quickly to provide a blanket of color. And one of
the best features of these plants is deadheading is seldom necessary. Planting
Zahara zinnia is one way to help make the summer landscape more beautiful
with its season long color. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening