From 'Mal de Ojos' to Garden Star: The Zinnia's Colorful History and Cultivation

Spanish conquistadors in Mexico called zinnias mal de ojos—"bad for the eyes," i.e., ugly. Today, the National Garden Bureau named 2011 the Year of the Zinnia. How did this transformation happen?

From Wild to Wonderful

German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn (1727–1759) first described the genus, earning its name. Early wild forms (Z. acerosa, white-flowered) were unimpressive. European breeders (Germany, Holland, Italy) selected for color and form. By the early 1900s, 'Mammoth' and 'Striata' reached the U.S.—instant hits. The 1920s brought the first dahlia-flowered zinnia, 'Giant Dahlia' (a 'Mammoth' mutation), and 'California Giant' (large, flat).

Native Species in Breeding

Key species: Z. acerosa, Z. angustifolia, Z. elegans, Z. grandiflora, Z. haageana (Mexican zinnia). Ranges: U.S. South through Mexico to Central/South America.

Modern Breakthroughs

1950s: First tetraploid, 'State Fair'—four chromosome sets, more vigor, larger flowers. Z. haageana selections: 'Persian Carpet', 'Old Mexico' (small-flowered).

1999: 'Profusion' series—Z. angustifolia × Z. elegans hybrids. Heat/humidity tolerant, disease resistant, no deadheading, compact.

Growing Tips and Powdery Mildew

Zinnias vary from seed—size, shape, color, petal count. That's part of the fun. Main drawback: powdery mildew. Best prevention: weekly spray before mildew appears in humid weather.

Baking Soda Spray: 1 Tbsp baking soda + ½ tsp liquid soap + 1 gal water.

Butterflies love zinnias—extra reason to grow them.

Zinnia Language

Colors convey sentiments: Magenta—lasting affection; Yellow—daily remembrance; Scarlet—constancy; White—goodness; Mixed—thinking of you.

For more: Marie Harrison's "Zinnias, Old and New." How to grow from seed:

Credits: Video—YouTube; Photos—Wikipedia (GNU FDL), USDA maps, author's garden.