Raspberry Sorbet Zinnia

Renee's Garden - These lovely flowers offer beautiful, deep raspberry-tinted double blossoms on branching long-stemmed plants that reach 3 1/2 to 4 feet tall. Raspberry Sorbet zinnias are both free flowering and long blooming and the abundant flower heads add glowing color to summer beds and borders. Pick armfuls of these pretty flowers for jewel-toned bouquets all season long; the more you pick, the more flowers will develop. Butterflies seek these beauties out all summer long.

 Characteristics: 

Instructions - To start in the garden, sow seeds in well-worked soil in full sun when the danger of frost is past and the weather is warm and above 50°F (10°C) both day and night. Space seeds 2 to 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, cover about 1/2 inch deep, and gently firm the soil. Keep soil evenly moist while awaiting germination.

To start early indoors, four weeks before the last frost date, sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 3 inches apart in a container of seed starting mix. Keep warm and moist and provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant outside only when temperatures rise above 50°F (10°C) both day and night.

Space seedlings 8-12 inches apart when large enough to handle to give plants room to mature and provide good air circulation. Zinnias grow readily in ordinary garden soil in full sun. For large and abundant flowers, thin before seedlings get crowded; adequate spacing and regular, even watering help keep zinnias productive and discourage mildew. For long-lived bouquets, cut flowers in the morning when blossoms first open and petals are tight. Cut long stems well back into the plant to keep plants branching low and producing abundant blooms to attract butterflies and other pollinators. 

• Plant in May-June for cold winters; April-May for mild winters
  
• Full sun 
• Space seeds 2-3" apart 
  
• Plant 1/2" deep 
  
• Days to germinate: 7-10 days 
• Mature Height: 3.5-4 feet 
  

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