Illumination Zinnia is a striking heirloom variety that blooms reliably from summer through fall, delivering weeks of vibrant color without fussing over finicky care. Growing to a compact 36 inches tall, this elegans cultivar reaches full flower in 63 to 84 days from seed, making it fast enough to reward impatient gardeners. It thrives in full sun and handles both regular watering and drier spells, while attracting pollinators and resisting deer pressure throughout the season.
1
Full Sun
High
2-11
36in H x 24in W
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High
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This heirloom zinnia combines genuine drought tolerance with a preference for consistent moisture, striking a rare balance that makes it forgiving for gardeners who travel or forget the watering can. Its extended bloom window from June through November means color in the garden long after many annuals have faded. Direct sowing after frost delivers flowers in under three months, and the blooms make exceptional fresh-cut flowers when harvested at dawn with a clean, bleach-dipped knife.
Illumination Zinnia excels as a cut flower for fresh arrangements. Harvest blooms in the morning when flowers are freshest and petals are just opening, and condition them with a few drops of household bleach in the vase water to extend their vase life significantly.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Keep seeds at 70 to 80°F during germination, which typically occurs within 5 to 10 days. Sow at a depth of 1/16 to 1/4 inch and cover lightly.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last spring frost when soil has warmed. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before planting.
Direct sowing is recommended and works very well with this variety. Sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost, placing them at a depth of 1/16 to 1/4 inch and covering lightly. Space plants 1 inch apart.
Cut flowers for arrangements in the early morning when blooms are at their freshest and petals are just opening. Use a clean knife that has been dipped in a 10% household bleach solution to make cuts and prolong the flowers' vase life. Add a few drops of bleach to the vase water to extend freshness.
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