Orange King is a tall heirloom zinnia that produces oversized mandarin orange blooms commanding attention in any garden. These vibrant flowers reach 4 to 5 inches across on plants that grow 36 to 48 inches tall, creating dramatic vertical impact from midsummer through frost. The variety matures in 75 to 90 days from seed and thrives in full sun across hardiness zones 2 through 11, making it accessible to gardeners in nearly every climate. Its bold color and generous flower size explain why this heirloom has remained beloved by generations of flower growers.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
48in H x ?in W
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High
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Orange King zinnias earn their name through flowers of stunning mandarin intensity that genuinely make a bold statement in the garden. The plants grow notably tall at 3 to 4 feet, producing proportionally large blooms that persist reliably through the hot months when other annuals flag. Seeded in spring, these heirlooms flower dependably within 75 to 90 days, asking only for full sun, moderate water, and basic care to deliver months of cutting-quality blooms.
Orange King zinnias exist almost entirely for visual pleasure. The tall plants and abundant large blooms make them exceptional for cutting bouquets that can hold their color and form in a vase for over a week. They shine as focal points in annual borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator beds where their vibrant mandarin hue draws bees and butterflies throughout summer and into fall.
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Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last expected frost, sowing in seed trays or pots at a soil temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the medium consistently moist but not soggy; germination occurs reliably within 4 to 6 days at these temperatures. Provide bright light as soon as seedlings emerge to prevent legginess, and grow them on at 70 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit until they develop true leaves.
Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving them outside after your last frost date. At that point, soil should have warmed to at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Space transplants 9 inches apart in prepared beds or containers, setting them at the same depth they grew indoors. Water gently after transplanting and keep soil consistently moist for the first two weeks while roots establish.
Direct sow seeds after your last frost date when soil has warmed to 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Scatter seeds lightly across the soil surface or press them in gently, then sprinkle a light covering of soil; seeds need light to germinate, so avoid burying them deeply.
Deadheading spent flowers throughout the season encourages Orange King to produce more blooms rather than set seed. Pinching the top of young plants when they reach 6 to 8 inches tall encourages branching and a bushier, more floriferous form, especially valuable for this tall variety. Remove any weak or spindly growth at the base to direct energy into strong stems and abundant flowers.
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“Orange King carries the lineage of heirloom zinnias passed through seed-saving traditions across generations. These tall varieties were cultivated in gardens long before modern hybrid breeding programs, preserving the genetic diversity and vigor that made them reliable performers in home gardens. As an heirloom cultivar of Zinnia elegans, Orange King represents living horticultural history, a variety gardeners have chosen to save and replant year after year for its consistent beauty and ease of cultivation.”