Mascotte

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Zinnia

Species

marylandica

Description

A compact, globular ornamental herbaceous plant with an upright habit, resulting from hybridisation between Zinnia angustifolia and Zinnia violaceae; it has high thermal requirements as it is one of the most heat-resistant annual species, even in full sun. Appreciated by gardeners and landscape architects for its conspicuous and spectacular flowering from mid-spring to early autumn with flowers borne by head-like inflorescences and petals in bright, vivid colours that add a luminous accent to gardens, in flowerbeds and borders, or to terraces and balconies, in tubs and planters, creating a favourable habitat for useful insects such as butterflies and bees. Easy to grow and manage, it requires little management care.

Species Video

https://youtu.be/KBiEuEmw0tQ

Varietal description

Mascot is a large double-flowered zinnia elegans, compact but medium vigorous, taller than zinnia hybrida. Ideal for summer cultivation in pots 14 and more. In cultivation it has high temperature requirements (t. Min.>14°c). It is a heat-resistant annual species even in full sun. Ideal for large and small flower beds, but also in tubs with other flowering or leafy plants such as ipomea, coleus, etc. The colour assortment is wide, with warm, pastel colours that do not fade in the sun.

curiosity and special features

The genus name honours botany professor J.G. Zinn while the specific epithet means 'of Maryland' in reference to the University of Maryland where the interspecific hybrid was created.

Origin and Diffusion

Native to Mexico and the southwestern United States; Zinnia marylandica is a hybrid between Zinnia angustifolia and Zinnia violacea created at the University of Maryland in the 1980s with the aim of obtaining a vigorous, disease-resistant plant with prolonged flowering with bright, warm colours that do not fade in the sun. Spread throughout Europe, it is now one of the most popular ornamental species for landscape use.

Flower size

The flower is medium-sized compared to that of other varieties, clustered in a brightly coloured inflorescence.

Leaf

Leaf has a cordate-reniform, oval leaf blade covered with a dense, silky down.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from late spring to early autumn for a duration of 130 to 160 days, a very wide time span that allows us to enjoy its scenic blooms for almost three seasons.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family Asteraceae.

Leaf color

Leaf Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.3 to 0.5 m, making it ideal as a first or second tier plant in mixed compositions to create sinuous visual effects of movement.

Lifespan

Annual Plant.

Suggested planting locations

Due to its excellent growth and flowering performance, it is the optimal choice for ornamenting settings such as flowerbeds , outdoor tubs, borders, flowerbeds

Stem/stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is double in shape, medium-sized, with a dialipetal corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized flower head inflorescences. It flowers from late spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 130 and 160 days. It is attractive to bees and bumblebees.

Growth

Growth is vigorous, ideal for creating proportionate and harmonious compositions in flowerbeds, borders and planters.

Plant habit

With its upright habit, it can easily be combined with other ornamental flowering species, resulting in an alternation of colours and heights with a pleasing final colour and movement effect.

branching

It develops abundant branching, giving the plant a well-tended appearance, rich in Leaf and flowers.

pH

For zinnia, the ideal pH of the soil or substrate is slightly acidic, with values between 5.8 and 6.2.

soil preparation

Prior to spring transplanting into the bed, carry out 20/30 cm deep digging, removing any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky pebbles. Bury slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser and, if the soil is too heavy and compact, add sand as well. Continue by using a hoe, breaking up the coarser clods to obtain greater softness and improve fertiliser distribution. To favour drainage of excess water, preventing harmful water stagnation, create a raised bed by lightly bouldering. Finally, distribute professional-quality substrate for ornamental plants on the surface for approx. 5/10 cm and level with the help of a rake.

sun exposure

It develops well in half shade, full sun, afternoon sun; prefer sunny exposures if possible for thriving summer flowering.

Ideal climate and temperature

Suitable for hot summer climates. The ideal temperature is between 16 and 24 °C. The biological temperature is between 10 and 36 °C. Transplanting should be avoided at temperatures below 12/13 °C.

Use

The conspicuous and prolonged flowering in warm, vivid tones make it ideal in
Outdoor ornamentals Landscaping

Hardiness

Ahighly rustic plant, it grows and flowers in intense summer heat even when exposed to full sun.

Soil/medium

The ideal soil for zinnia is medium-textured or tending to sandy, loosened and well draining; for use in pots and planters, a substrate for spring plants containing fibrous peat and perlite is recommended.

Maintenance

It is easy to operate and maintain, and the level of effort required is low overall.

cultivation tips

The following aspects and cultivation conditions are indicated in order to ensure the best vegetative growth and abundant flowering:
Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Composition

Ideal for compact and colourful ornamental compositions, also in combination with flowerings with different heights in order to create perspective views; colour combinations can include shades of the same hue or an alternation by choosing from the different varieties available, composing designs or patterns according to personal fantasy. Colour spots or simple borders can be formed with other species such as Carex buchananii, Coleus blumei, Rudbeckia hirta, Salvia farinacea, Solenostemon coleoides, Tagetes patula. Even in a smaller space such as planters or boxes, it can be placed alternately with plants with green or variegated foliage or by combining, as in the garden, species with flowers in different shades.

planting

For bed planting, which should be carried out when the minimum temperatures are stably above 13/14°C, we recommend an average density of 16 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper development of the root and aerial apparatus of each specimen, thus obtaining a harmonious and proportionate final composition. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Reproduction/Propagation

Medium.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, or alternatively aqueduct water with an optimal sub-acidic pH, either manually or by means of an irrigation system. Immediately after transplanting intervene with balanced supplies free from saturation conditions and assist the seedling in the early stages of development in the new planting site. Subsequently allow the substrate or soil to dry out slightly after each watering, but avoid dryness; it is also advisable not to overdo the water supply in order to prevent stagnation, which can encourage the development of fungal diseases with subsequent root rot. Always check the moisture level of the soil before intervening.

Fertilization

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. Subsequently, during the spring/summer period, apply a specific fertiliser for ornamental species to the Soil/medium at the foot of the plant, to be distributed liquid fertiliser, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency or dosage.

Pet friendly

Toxicity to pets not known, consider specific case.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Human toxicity

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

advise 1

It is advisable not to plant in beds too early, when the minimum temperatures are not permanently above 12-13 °C. In the early stages after transplanting, do not overdo the watering, which should always be done in the morning.