Friends, if you want no-fail flowers that will give you beautiful color all summer up until frost, then I recommend planting profusion zinnias!
It's that time of year when most of us are headed out to garden centers looking for pretty summer annual flowers to plant in our gardens or containers. No doubt you have most of them planted this spring, but if you are still looking, then I highly recommend planting profusion zinnias.
Profusion zinnias are a hybrid of the older zinnia staple of every cut flower garden and the Mexican or narrowleaf zinnia. They come in a variety of festive colors and white, and just like their name implies, they give you a profusion of blooms on a small, compact plant.
I have been growing them in our vegetable garden for at least 5 years. Here you see them mixed in with taller, old-fashioned zinnias near Rusty, our scarecrow. Don't get me wrong! I love the tall, cut flower type of zinnias too, and I have planted plenty of them in our garden this year because they are the epitome of summer to me!
But I also fill our garden with profusion zinnias for guaranteed, non-stop color for several reasons.
Why I Plant Profusion Zinnias
- They are disease resistant. We live in South Carolina where we have hot, humid summers and these plants don't develop mildew and other high humidity diseases.
- They thrive in the heat. Did I mention that I live in South Carolina? Oh, yeah. The summer heat is brutal here on humans as well as plants. Profusion zinnias not only take the heat, they thrive in it.
- They are drought tolerant. I know, because many times I have forgotten to water some that were planted in containers. They bounce right back with a good drink of water.
- They attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
- They don't need to be deadheaded to look attractive.
Profusion zinnias are great container plants. They grow to be about 12-13 inches tall and spread out at least a foot. Two tiny plants filled this container in no time.
Last year I planted a mix of colors in our galvanized tub planter and fountain. Unlike other flowers, profusion zinnias don't get "leggy" as the season continues. Their bushy growth habit is perfect for containers.
Profusion zinnias are great vegetable companions. I like to tuck them along the edges of our raised beds among the vegetables growing in them. When the vegetables are harvested and the plants are spent, you can pull them out and still have pretty flowers growing in the beds.
Here is a mound of pretty yellow ones tucked in our herb bed. One tiny plant grew into this gorgeous mound within about a month so be sure to allow space for them to grow.
Profusion zinnias not only do well in containers but they make great bedding plants. I'm going to plant some as a border in the beds in front of our house. Landscapers love profusion zinnias because they can create a large swath of color with them.
I would suggest, though, that you choose one color to use if you are using them in that way. I have noticed that the yellow and white ones grow slightly taller than the others.
Although I love all the colors that profusion zinnias come in, I am absolutely in love with the apricot ones that you see in the very middle of the photo above.
Profusion Zinnia Planting and Growing Tips
Profusion Zinnia Planting and Growing Tips- Plant or sow in full sun after the soil has warmed up and all danger of frost has passed
- Space about 9-12 inches apart
- Use fertile, well-drained potting soil if planting in containers or amend the ground soil with organic matter
- Water early in the day at the roots rather than overhead
- Don't overwater-they don't like "wet feet"
- It is unnecessary to pinch them-they will bush out on their own
- Fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer
I have already planted an entire flat in one of our raised beds in the garden, and I cannot wait to see it filled in with these happy flowers.
I hope you find a spot to fill with these award winning, sun loving, easy to grow profusion zinnias. They will brighten your world all summer long!
Janice Tillman
I love the profusion zinnias, and the way they quickly fill in a flower garden bed. They always survive our brutal heat and humidity, blooming all summer up until first frost. I cannot seem to grow them well in containers.
amirnajamsethit
Amazing article. I enjoying a lot! Thanks for this information.
Myrtle Stokes
Jane,, your plants are beautiful! Do you plant seeds or can I buy them at garden center? Thanks for sharing.
Jane Windham
Myrtle, I buy them from some local growers that sell the plants to the garden centers! But I have read that they are very easy to grow from seed, just like regular zinnias.
Jean Windham
I love these zinnias but did not know they existed. They sure do make a pretty show. I did see you were planting them but knew nothing about them. Thanks for sharing.Jean
Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows
Zinnias are almost my very favorite! I didn't realize Profusion was the name to look for so I'm glad you shared this. Your gardens are amazing!
Pamela-FromMyFRontPorchToYours
Your garden is always so beautiful Jane! I need to you to come to my house and help me get started on ours. I planted Zinnias last year. They are so pretty!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs
They are gorgeous and I think I shall try and plant some in a container and see if any of my 4 legged friends eat them! I so love your gardens!
Gail
I've been planting the tall regular zinnias for about five years now and they do get leggy around mid to late August! Would love to find profusion zinnias to try this year! Thanks for introducing us to this variety! Love your flowers!
cookie
Jane,
These flowers are beautiful! I love to see pics of your garden & yard. You just can't seem to miss with anything that you plant. Thanks for the lovely pictures.
Pam
I just came back from the garden center and now you’re going to make me run right back. I bought an old wheelbarrow at a yard sale today and those would be perfect to plant in it. Love those apricot ones.
Jennifer Comensoli
Absolutely love these as the old fashioned zinnias were ones I first planted as a child. I will be getting some of these for sure. Thanks so much for the lovely pictures. I have been in the Upstate for a little over a year and have full sun, so these will be perfect. Love the colors!
Jane Windham
These would do very well in the upstate! I can't say enough good things about these flowers!
Terri
Oh wow..... Gorgeous!!! Thank you for the tip ... living in the Sunshine State .. we have some of the same issues as you do !! Your garden & containers look beautiful !!!
Jane Windham
Thanks so much Terri! Profusion zinnias would perform well in Florida!
Patti @ Pandora's Box
So pretty...wish I had your green thumb!
Jane Windham
Patti, my thumbs and hands get brown most of the time! LOL! Got to get them in the dirt sometimes!
Dolly
I really like them too! Good post!
Jane Windham
Dolly, I know you love flowers, too!
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things
Beautiful!!
Jane Windham
Thanks Penny! Not sure how profusion zinnias would perform at your new house. I've read that they will tolerate some afternoon shade.
Sandy
They are all gorgeous. I need to add a few of these to some pots I have that will be wilting with the heat soon. Thanks for the nudge.
Jane Windham
I have been so thrilled with how these plants handle our heat, Sandy.