Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Zinnia Giants of California
Zinnia Giants of California
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Zinnia 'Giants of California' Seeds
If you want flowers that look like Dahlias but grow as easily as daisies, 'Giants of California' is the variety for you. Bred specifically for size, these plants produce massive, semi-double to double flowers (up to 12cm across) on tall, sturdy stems. The flat, overlapping petals come in a vibrant fiesta of colours: cherry red, bright orange, canary yellow, violet, and pink.
These are the kings of the cutting patch. Just a few stems fill a vase with bold, architectural colour. They are heat-loving, sun-worshipping plants that get better and better as the summer gets hotter, flowering tirelessly until the first frost.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Zinnia is a Half-Hardy Annual.
It originates from Mexico, so it loves heat and hates the cold. It completes its life cycle in one season.
The Golden Rule: Do not rush to sow! Zinnias dislike cold, wet soil. If you sow them too early, they will sulk. Wait until late spring (April/May) to sow, and only plant out when the nights are warm (June).
Top Tip: Pinch them! When the young plants are about 20cm tall, pinch out the central growing tip. It feels scary to snap the top off, but this forces the plant to branch out, giving you triple the amount of flowers.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Zinnias grow very fast but resent root disturbance.
Germination:
Sow indoors in April/May or direct sow in late May/June. Sow 5mm deep. Keep warm (20°C). Germination is rapid, usually 5-10 days. If sowing indoors, use module trays to minimise root disturbance when transplanting.
Where to Sow:
They demand full sun and a sheltered spot. They need rich, fertile soil to fuel those giant flowers. If growing in containers, use a large pot and keep them well-fed.
Care While Growing:
Watering Rule: Always water at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. Wet leaves can lead to mildew.
Support: These "Giants" grow up to 1 metre tall. In a windy garden, they will need a stake or netting to keep them upright.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Zinnia elegans |
| Common Name | Zinnia 'Giants of California' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 90cm - 100cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 45cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 30cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flower Patch 🦋 Butterfly Magnet 🔥 Hot Colour Borders ☀️ Heat Tolerance |
| Seed Count | Approx. 100 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
These giants are bold and stiff, so they need softer, airier partners to create a balanced bouquet look:
- ❄️ Ammi Majus (Queen Anne's Lace): The florist's essential. The flat, white lacy heads of Ammi break up the bold, blocky colours of the Zinnia. Growing them together creates a ready-made arrangement in the border.
- ☁️ Cosmos 'Purity': Soften the look. Zinnias can look quite rigid. Planting feathery white Cosmos nearby adds movement and softness, and both plants thrive in the exact same sunny conditions.
- 🔥 Tithonia 'Goldfinger': The heat-seeker. For a tropical, high-impact border, pair the giant Zinnias with Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower). They share the same love for baking heat and look incredible together in late summer.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out only when warm. Flowers mid-summer to frost.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||||
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Zinnias are a top-tier plant for pollinators. The flowers are easily accessible, making them a favourite feeding station for butterflies in late summer.
