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I like growing zinnia because it is one of the good ornamental industrial plant for flowering garden . It is also useful enough to be paired with other garden plants , include vegetable , bush , and yield trees .
We principally sum up zinnia in our USDA Zone 2 - 11 gardens to attract pollinators such as bee , hoverflies , and butterfly stroke . These sporty plants also attract snort , add great biodiversity to your backyard . We also plant zinnias to tempt pests like aphid , whiteflies , and beetles away from vulnerable mintage such as salad parting and beans .
Photo credit: Alex Worley
primal takeout :
Zinnias geminate well with marigolds , nasturtiums , salvia , geranium , dahlia , and cosmos in the garden , as these bestow out the sheer colors of the zinnias . However , avoid interplanting old maid flower with beans , tomatoes , and potatoes , as they can pull aphids , which may damage these crops .
Plants to Pair with Zinnia
Zinnias look much better when paired with cheerful annuals and perennials that fit the vibrancy of their blooms . They ’re the ones I observe down first when start a pollinator garden next to a crop constitution that require right pollenation for good yields .
Tomatoes
Not only do tomatoes and zinnia have similar growing circumstance , but they can also do good from each other when planted together .
Both prefer fond atmospheric condition and intense sunlight , and their seeds germinate into seedlings promptly under such consideration . Zinnia seeds sprout in 3 - 7 sidereal day , while tomato source take 5 - 10 days .
Zinnias flower early in the season , which means they ’ll attract pollinators to your garden for the earlyripening of tomatoesfor crop . I use the same conjugation when I want a bumper harvest of garden egg , Cucumis sativus , and squash .
Purple fountain grass underplanted with petunias.
We ’ve noticed a diminution in tomato worms and cucumber beetle universe whenever we implant old maid flower nearby .
The colorful zinnia blooms also attract bee and butterflies into the garden , result in improved pollenation of tomato .
commend , equal pollination is essential if you require to realize a bumper love apple harvest .
In summary , zinnia ’s showy blossoms appeal pollinators and beneficial insects like hoverflies , lacewing fly , and ladybugs . These predator insects prey on common tomato pests such as tomato hornworms .
Purple fountain grass
The purple fountain grass is a great companion plant for old maid because they ’re both drouth - hardy and estrus - patient of . This plant distich name for a low - maintenance garden , specially during the hot summertime months .
you could also entomb - plant zinnia with purple fountain grass strictly for aesthetic reason .
The diverse shapes of the old maid bloom add construction to the garden , while the arched plumes on purple fountain skunk add a elegant touch .
Dahlias. Click to learn companions.
The red / burgundy feather of purplish spring locoweed contrast beautifully with Zinnia ’s white , red , orange , and purple flowers .
you could glean these bloom from mid - summer and shuffle them accordingly for your interior décor .
mention : majestic fountain grass does n’t bloom as smartly as zinnia .
Cucumbers
Another good companion plant for zinnia is cucumber . Honeybees and bumblebees are the most effective pollinators for cucumbers . The vibrant old maid flowers invite these pollinator insects , improve the pollenation rate and the cuke yield .
Cucumbers are also vulnerable to whiteflies , aphids , and thrip . you could keep these pesky pests off your cucumbers by inter - plant with old maid flower , attracting beneficial insects like lacewings and ladybugs to fertilise on the pests .
When pairing cucumber with zinnias , there are a couple of factors you require to consider :
Learn to couple with cucumbers .
Peppers
Pepper plants , including bootleg pepper , bell pepper , and piquillo , are all sun - loving industrial plant , just like zinnia . Grow pepper and zinnias in the natural spring for a ornate garden by summer .
The combination of flower colors will attract pollinator insects , chair to a real pepper harvest home .
When maturate peppers alongside zinnias , take note of the zinnia plant size . For tall zinnia varieties , plant them at the border so that they do n’t shade the Lord’s Day - enjoy pepper plants .
I opt associate planting peppers with low - get zinnia varieties that do n’t exceed 12 inches at maturity . Such include Profusion Orange , Crystal White , Chippendale , and Lilliput .
Note : Zinnias and white pepper grow well even when establish in the same pot / container . Learn more plants to pair with common pepper .
Cosmos
Zinnias and cosmos work an splendid companion flora twain because they ’re both ‘ edit out and come back ’ plants . These are plants that rebloom promptly whenever the blossom are beak . If you ’re keen on harvesting bloom for your bouquets , this plant pair wo n’t let down .
Both zinnia and cosmos also bloom vigorously , so you ’ll have an abundant , ego - replenish supply of beautiful blooms for your upcountry décor needs .
Cosmos and zinnia also deal the same growing requirements . These low - upkeep plants grow substantially when plant in the spring when the soil is affectionate . They ’re also drought - hardy once established and favour full sunlight exposure and well - drained stain conditions .
Zinnias are vulnerable to whitefly , aphids , and wanderer mite during the blistering summer months . you could , therefore , pair them with cosmos as a ambuscade crop if the old maid are of more note value to you . The plague will flock to the cosmos plants or else , leaving the desirable zinnias unharmed .
Marigolds
look at partner off zinnias with marigold for a pest - detached bloom garden . marigold pass off a potent odor that repels common old maid flower pests like whitefly and aphids .
The yellow flowers of marigold also complement the reddish , bloodless , regal , and orange heyday of zinnia , making your bloom garden more colorful and diverse .
Dahlias
Pairing zinnias with dahlias offers both esthetic and running benefits . Both have attractive flowers that add to the garden ’s beauty while also attracting pollinators and beneficial insect . The double blooms on dahlia dead balance out the single heyday on zinnias .
Note : Zinnias are susceptible to fungal disease like Fusarium and powdery mould . Meanwhile , dahlia has anti - fungous properties and can protect zinnias from fungous infestation .
Genariums
Genariums release various oils that have anti - fungous properties and will protect old maid flower works from fungous disease like Fusarium and powdery mildew .
to boot , low-toned - grow geranium varieties are great groundcover plant life that prevent stain erosion and suppress smoke that might otherwise turn back the increment of zinnias .
Finally , if you ’re concerned in beautiful flowers and like to develop an aromatherapy garden , mix old maid flower with geranium . The latter has not only vivid red - purple blossom but also a pleasant fragrance that ’s welcoming to the senses .
Salvia
If you prefer a long bloom season that last from bound up until the start of winter , pair old maid with salvia , otherwise known as sage .
The zinnias will flower from early summertime until fall , and just as the blooms fade away in mid - late nightfall , the ship’s bell - shape salvia blooms will take over , keeping your flower garden hopeful and colored for a few months longer .
While zinnias draw in worm pollinator , salvias attract hummingbirds , which are also effective pollinators .
The combination of different pollinating agents that these two plants attract into the garden precede to higher take .
Note : Salvia also has a strong scent that repels common zinnia pest such as cat , spider mites , and mealybugs .
Plants NOT to Pair with Zinnia
Not all garden plants pair well with zinnia . plant that thrive only in full Lord’s Day but are shorter than old maid flower may show augury of emphasis due to partial shading by the taller zinnia .
Allelopathic plants and plant vulnerable to powdery mould are also poor associate for zinnias .
Allelopathic plants release certain chemical into the soil that can hinder growth and slow down down blooming in zinnias . Examples of allelopathic garden plants to avoid pairing with zinnia admit perennial rye , garlic mustard sens , and true pine .
There areover 20 mintage of zinnia , with most of these being extremely susceptible to powdery mould . It ’s , therefore , advisable to avoid mate zinnia with other plant prone to powdery mildew infestation .
Such a pair will make the fungal disease to spread quickly throughout your garden . representative of garden plants prone to powdery mildew plague include squash , melon , hydrangea , and rose .
Tips for companion planting with zinnia
Consider the follow tips for successful zinnia comrade planting :
Final thoughts
Zinnias are versatile flowering plants that match well with marigolds , nasturtium , salvia , geraniums , dahlia , and cosmos to pull pollinator . However , avoid planting zinnias near bean , tomatoes , potatoes , or other plants prostrate to mildew , as zinnias are susceptible and can spread the fungus .
FAQs
Yes , old maid flower and peppers make enceinte companion plants since they partake like growing conditions . Also , zinnias attract pollinators for estimable pepper output . ward off tall old maid flower varieties that could shadow the sun - make out peppers and stunt their growth .
Yes , zinnias partner off well with vegetables like tomatoes , Cucumis sativus , and mash . Their lustrous blooms attract pollinators for good yields . recall , spacing is key to this form of couple to contain potential pest and disease issues .
No , zinnias do not like being crowded as it can increase humidity and stimulate powdery mould . Space old maid 12 - 24 column inch apart depending on the change to allow atmosphere circulation and forestall fungal infection . I space the taller varieties at least 24 inch apart to reduce the risk of infection .
Yes , zinnias appeal pollinator that improve zucchini return . We recommend proper spacing of about 12 - 24 inches between these plants to prevent powdery mildew that both are prone to .
