To my eyes Zinnia Elegans Purple Prince flowers have a rich, saturated magenta hue that sits squarely on the border of pink and purple. I see more of the radiant pink, others see more of a deep purple tone. As the flowers mature, they reveal a contrasting citrus-green centre which makes that pinky-purple colour pop. The layers of petals add pure opulence to the show.
🌸 Flowering: mid-summer to the first frosts
📏 Height: 70-90cm
🌿 Annual
💧 Drought tolerant when established
Sow: during March to April in pots or modules of seed compost, cover lightly with no more than 3mm as a little light helps with germination. Keep at about 18ºC. Germination takes 1-2 weeks. Uncover and grow on in cooler conditions. Harden off ready to plant out after last frosts. Be gentle with the root ball. Space plants about 30cm apart. Alternatively sow thinly outside in a sunny bed after all risk of frost has passed (May/June). Thin as they grow on.
Grow: they are best planted in a rich garden soil in full sun. Once their roots are settled in they can handle dry spells and hot summer conditions well, though they produce the best blooms with occasional, deep watering.
Enjoy: just because you can dye with a particular flower doesn’t mean you have to! I’ve tried that! These zinnias are better enjoyed by you and the pollinating visitors to your garden.
🏡 In your garden
• Urban and courtyard gardens
• Cottage and informal gardens
• Patio pots and containers
• Mixed borders and beds
• Pollinator plantings
• Cutting gardens
✂️ Cut flower
• Cut when the stem is stiff and the flower head stays rigid. If the stem bends or the flower head wobbles, it’s too young and likely to wilt quickly.
• Strip off the lower leaves and pop the stems into a bucket of lukewarm water
• Leave them for several hours in a cool, shady place to condition before arranging
• Fresh vase life of 7 to 10 days
• Every few days wash the vase, refill with lukewarm water and retrim the stems
• Late season cut zinnias don’t last as long as those cut in early to mid-season
🐝 Pollinator friendly
• RHS Plants for Pollinators recommended
• Long blooming season provides food for pollinators right into autumn
• Attract bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies
🍴 Edible
• The petals are edible and are best used as a colourful scatter
• We haven’t noticed much flavour ourselves, although some people say they can detect a touch of bitterness
🎨 Natural dye plant
• The strong colours will give muted shades
• You need LOTS of flowers, about twice the weight of the fabric you want to dye.
• Because of this I have only dyed once with zinnia. I prefer them in the garden or a vase!
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