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Zinnia elegans Lilac Empress seeds

Zinnia x elegans Lilac Empress
Common Zinnia, Elegant Zinnia, Youth-and-old-age

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A Zinnia with particularly vivid and vibrant colour, a light purple crimson. Of the cactus type, the large double flowers offer multiple sharp ligulate petals that bloom from June until the frosts, on tall stems. This large annual integrates perfectly into borders and creates beautiful bouquets.
Flower size
9 cm
Height at maturity
90 cm
Exposure
Sun
Germination time (days)
14 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
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Sowing period March to April
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Flowering time July to October
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Description

The Cactus Flowered Zinnia 'Lilac Empress' offers typical bristly petals of this form. This variety develops very large double flowers, tousled, with sharp petals of a very bright rich violet-purple around a yellow heart. They are carried high on strong stems, blooming from June until the frosts, integrating perfectly into romantic borders and creating charming bouquets.

Zinnia elegans is a robust annual belonging to the Asteraceae family, originating from Mexico, having given rise to many cultivars. Zinnia 'Lilac Empress' is a latest generation variety, selected for the singularity and beauty of its flowering. The plant forms a clump that reaches 90 cm in height by 30 cm in width on average. Its stems are hollow and relatively brittle, adorned with rough and fuzzy, lanceolate to elliptical, medium green leaves. Flowering occurs from June-July to October, it is nectar-rich and honey-producing. The flowers appear in the axils of the leaves, these are beautiful 9 cm wid, hemispherical heads, with sharp and tousled petals.

Zinnias are appreciated for their robustness, vibrant colours and ease of cultivation, attributes that make them essential in the garden. These plants appreciate full sun and tolerate heat well, provided they are watered occasionally. They develop optimally in neutral, rich and well-drained soil, but also tolerate ordinary garden soil. Zinnias pair well with perennials like Pink Rudbeckias and Baptisias, as well as with other annuals such as Moroccan linarias, Coreopsis or Ammi visnaga. Pair the tall Zinnia Lilac Empress with grasses like Pennisetums, tall annuals like Cleomes or Snapdragons. They can also be sown in pots to embellish terraces during the summer. Attracting bees and butterflies thanks to their nectar, these plants promote biodiversity in the garden.

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Zinnia: sowing, planting and care
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 11 min.
Zinnia: sowing, planting and care
Read article

Flowering

Flower colour violet
Flowering time July to October
Inflorescence Flower head
Flower size 9 cm
Fragrance slightly scented,
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 90 cm
Spread at maturity 30 cm
Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Zinnia

Species

x elegans

Cultivar

Lilac Empress

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

Common Zinnia, Elegant Zinnia, Youth-and-old-age

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 232110

Planting and care

Sow Zinnia Lilac Empress seeds directly, from April to May, in loosened and warmed soil. Do not bury the seeds too deeply (3 mm is sufficient) and space them 30 cm apart. Keep the soil moist until germination, which usually takes between 7 and 14 days.

For early flowering, sow from March to April (indoors, at a temperature ranging from 15 to 25°) in a tray filled with good seed compost kept moist but not waterlogged. When the plants are large enough to handle, transplant them into pots. Gradually acclimatise your Zinnias to cooler conditions for about a fortnight before planting them in the garden, once all risk of frost has passed. Space the plants 30 cm apart.

Zinnia thrives in the sun and withstands high temperatures well, as long as you remember to water it a little. It does best in neutral, rich, well-drained soil but it is not very demanding and will still tolerate average garden soil. It may occasionally be prone to powdery mildew; a nuisance that can be easily avoided by not placing it in a confined area and being careful not to wet its foliage. Be cautious as slugs have a liking for their young tender leaves.

 

 

Sowing period

Sowing period March to April
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Germination time (days) 14 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Back of border, Vegetable garden
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained, rich

Planting & care advice

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