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California Giants Zinnia Mix

Quick Facts:

  • Heirloom variety ca.1926
  • 3-4' tall stems with 4" wide double flowers
  • Red, orange, yellow, fuchsia, purple
  • Blooms until first frost
  • Great for cutting, flower arrangements

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Quantity: Packet (100 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

California Giants Zinnia Mix

More about California Giants

Zinnia elegans

California Giants is an heirloom zinnia variety that produces 3 to 4-foot-tall stems topped with large 4 to 5-inch-wide double flowers in a stunning array of colors including red, orange, yellow, fuchsia, and purple.  California Giant zinnia plants bloom profusely right up until first frost and attract a variety of butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies and many more.   What's more, their cut flowers make beautiful arrangements and boast a long vase-life.  In short, if you are looking for an all-around beautiful zinnia, California Giants is the way to go.

Although some sources state that the California Giant zinnia traces back to 1926, the earliest record we could find for th... More

Less

Zinnia elegans

California Giants is an heirloom zinnia variety that produces 3 to 4-foot-tall stems topped with large 4 to 5-inch-wide double flowers in a stunning array of colors including red, orange, yellow, fuchsia, and purple.  California Giant zinnia plants bloom profusely right up until first frost and attract a variety of butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies and many more.   What's more, their cut flowers make beautiful arrangements and boast a long vase-life.  In short, if you are looking for an all-around beautiful zinnia, California Giants is the way to go.

Although some sources state that the California Giant zinnia traces back to 1926, the earliest record we could find for this variety was in the September 1928 letter of one Blue Island, Illinois gardener, who had written to Sun-Ripened Seeds of Pasadena, California to boast of his prize-winning giant zinnias, the seeds for which he had purchased from the company the preceding spring at an astonishing price of $1.00 (over $30 in today's dollars).  Such extravagance was probably not uncommon in the late 1920's and indeed, the gardener seems pleased with his purchase, writing that the handful of seeds had yielded a garden "filled with these wonderful zinnias, some as large as saucers" and had won him numerous prizes in local gardening contests.  The 1929 Sun-Ripened Seeds catalog lists 7 unique shades of Giant California zinnias, which they also describe as Mammoth Flowered zinnias.  By the spring of 1930, a packet of California Giants could be acquired for a mere 25 cents.

Thankfully, today one need not trade a steak dinner for a packet of California Giants zinnia seeds.  Generations of Americans have enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of this variety, and it remains as popular as ever with home gardeners and market growers alike.  Pick up a packet of California Giants zinnia seed today, and you too can bask in the beauty and history of this beloved garden variety.  Each packet contains a minimum of 100 seeds.

Zinnia elegans

California Giants is an heirloom zinnia variety that produces 3 to 4-foot-tall stems topped with large 4 to 5-inch-wide double flowers in a stunning array of colors including red, orange, yellow, fuchsia, and purple.  California Giant zinnia plants bloom profusely right up until first frost and attract a variety of butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies and many more.   What's more, their cut flowers make beautiful arrangements and boast... read more

read less

Zinnia elegans

California Giants is an heirloom zinnia variety that produces 3 to 4-foot-tall stems topped with large 4 to 5-inch-wide double flowers in a stunning array of colors including red, orange, yellow, fuchsia, and purple.  California Giant zinnia plants bloom profusely right up until first frost and attract a variety of butterflies including monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies and many more.   What's more, their cut flowers make beautiful arrangements and boast a long vase-life.  In short, if you are looking for an all-around beautiful zinnia, California Giants is the way to go.

Although some sources state that the California Giant zinnia traces back to 1926, the earliest record we could find for this variety was in the September 1928 letter of one Blue Island, Illinois gardener, who had written to Sun-Ripened Seeds of Pasadena, California to boast of his prize-winning giant zinnias, the seeds for which he had purchased from the company the preceding spring at an astonishing price of $1.00 (over $30 in today's dollars).  Such extravagance was probably not uncommon in the late 1920's and indeed, the gardener seems pleased with his purchase, writing that the handful of seeds had yielded a garden "filled with these wonderful zinnias, some as large as saucers" and had won him numerous prizes in local gardening contests.  The 1929 Sun-Ripened Seeds catalog lists 7 unique shades of Giant California zinnias, which they also describe as Mammoth Flowered zinnias.  By the spring of 1930, a packet of California Giants could be acquired for a mere 25 cents.

Thankfully, today one need not trade a steak dinner for a packet of California Giants zinnia seeds.  Generations of Americans have enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of this variety, and it remains as popular as ever with home gardeners and market growers alike.  Pick up a packet of California Giants zinnia seed today, and you too can bask in the beauty and history of this beloved garden variety.  Each packet contains a minimum of 100 seeds.

Little Girl planting seeds
Little girl planting seeds

How to Grow Zinnias

Zinnias need full sun and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. They prefer soil that is high in organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, and should be watered regularly. Mulching is also recommended to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

After danger of frost has passed, sow seeds 1/8" deep in average, well-drained soil. Germination will occur in 5-24 days. After germination has occurred, thin to one seedling every 10-12". Can also be started indoors about six weeks before the average last frost date.

Harden off seedlings for a few days prior to transplanting. After danger of frost has passed, dig a hole roughly the size of the root ball and lower the seedling in, being careful not to disturb the roots. Backfill with loose soil and water well. Space plants 10-12" in all directions. Keep well-watered until the plants are established.

Zinnia are generally easy-to-grow and disease-resistant, but can be affected by powdery mildew, rust, and bacterial leaf spot. Provide plants adequate space to promote airflow and limit disease.

Zinnia make excellent cut flowers. They have a long vase life, come in a variety of colors, and are easy to grow. They are also a great choice for adding a pop of color to any bouquet or arrangement.

CONSIDERATIONS:

If growing more than one variety of zinnia, plants must be isolated to prevent cross-pollination. To isolate, cage varieties separately and remove one cage each day or cut all blooms from one variety to allow the other to pollinate without contamination. Repeat with the remaining variety once the first seed crop has matured. Harvest zinnia seeds when the flower heads are dry and brown. Cut off the flower heads and place them in a paper bag to dry further. Once dry, rub the flower heads to release the seeds. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.

HARVESTING SEED:

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Zinnia seeds can remain viable for up to three years if stored in a cool, dry place.

Girl watering flowers

Customer Reviews

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S
Selina Jeanise
Gorgeous!

5 stars for big beautiful blooms! These come up fast, easy to care for and bloom all summer and fall, right up to the first freeze.

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