Common Name: creeping zinnia
Type: Annual
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Southeastern United States, Mexico
Zone: 2 to 11
Height: 0.75 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to frost
Bloom Description: Orange, yellow, white, red and pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Annual, Ground Cover
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Black Walnut
Culture
Annual. Easily grown in humusy, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Sow seed directly in the ground after last frost date or start seed indoors 4-6 weeks earlier. Some varieties are widely available in cell/six packs from nurseries. Set out plants after last frost date. Good drought tolerance. These plants do not fade in summer as is sometimes the case with common zinnia (Z. elegans). Deadheading is not required.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Zinnia angustifolia, commonly called creeping zinnia, narrow-leaf zinnia, or Mexican zinnia, is a compact bushy annual that typically grow 8-16” tall on hairy, branching stems. It features a profuse summer to frost bloom of single, daisy-like, bright orange flowers (to 1” diameter). Cultivars extend the available flower colors to include red, orange, yellow, pink, white and bicolors. Narrow, linear to linear-lanceolate leaves. Z. angustifolia and Z. haageana are considered synonymous by some references.
Genus name honors Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727-1759), professor of botany, Gottingen.
Specific epithet means narrow-leaved.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Excellent disease resistance to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and leaf spots.
Uses
Edging. Bedding. Containers.