Companion Planting
Thinking of imbed some marigold with your zinnias this season but want to make certain they ’ll be good fellow traveler before you get going ? In this article , gardening expert and cut blossom farmer Taylor Sievers walks through if it ’s dependable to copulate these bloom together , and what you’re able to expect when you do .
Contents
If you ’re a new nurseryman or long - time plant fan that iseasily perturb byall the plants , it can often be overwhelming when decidingwhat flowers to plantwhere in the garden . In most cases , it is beneficial to group plant with similar light , water , and soil requirements to make tutelage much easy throughout the growing time of year .
Zinnias and marigold are both vernacular and popular flowers deal in nurseries and garden centers today , and their bright , cheerful bloom just beg to be paired together in a pot or in the landscape painting .
So , canmarigolds and zinnias be planted togetherfor a dazzle impact or should these industrial plant be separated in the landscape due to differences in plant ontogenesis essential ? There ’s a myopic answer , and a longer answer to this question , and we get over both . Ready to study more ? get ’s dig in !
The Short Answer
dead ! With similar growth requirement , zinnias and marigolds are perfect together in a cut peak garden , landscape painting , or in a pot . They are also both comparatively well-fixed to grow , and they will not vie too aggressively for nutrient in the arena that they develop . Marigolds can also be helpful in keeping away unwashed garden pests , making this pairing a winnings - win scenario .
The Long Answer
marigold are members of theTagetesgenus . These flowerscome in many unlike build and size . They unremarkably have finely - cut dark greenish foliage and flowers in colors of orange , reddened , yellow , gold , white , and bicolor shades .
The mostpopular colors you will see are orange and chickenhearted . Some assortment are unforesightful and thereforeexcellent for containers , while others are tall . Tall sort make fantabulous landscape painting plant or thin out flowers . marigold are native to Central and South America , and most plant have a strong odor , which rebuff sure plague .
Zinnias are members of theZinniagenus and arenative to Mexico and Central America . These peak also descend in a variety of class , colors , shapes , and size . cerise , yellow , pinkish , purple , blanched , orange , vino , lime , peach , bicolor , and other shades in between are the people of colour you may see in a spot of zinnias .
Zinnias usually have rough , shining green foliage with haired stems . Their flowers can be single - petaled , semi - twofold , or double in form , and they usually have a mall with promising yellowish stamen .
Both flowers arepart of the Asteraceae kinsperson , a family that is also dwelling to sunflowers and dandelions .
Growth Requirements
Both of these popular flowers aretypically treated as annualsin most hardiness zones . Both can be perennial , but do n’t tolerate hoarfrost very well at all , and also do n’t do well in uttermost heat . So they are normally substantially replant each season for optimal results . Let ’s take a looking at the needs of each heyday .
Both marigolds and old maid flower are warm season annuals . This mean that they will blossom and set seed within one twelvemonth . They alsoprefer the affectionate temperatures of summer . Both types of flowers have perennial and one-year forms , depending on where they are spring up .
marigold do have some perennial varieties , but the more popular types of marigold you see at garden centersare typically annuals .
Zinnias alsohave some repeated varieties , but the same applies . Most of what you see at local garden heart will also be treated as annual flower , require to be replant each season .
Both type of flowers opt a location in full sun . This means that they needat least 6 to 8 hoursof unmediated sun per day so as to properly grow and bloom .
Marigolds will grow in almost any type of filth , but well - draining soil is best . Some varieties are exceptionally tolerant to drouth . Marigolds prefer a slightly acidicsoil pH between 6 and 7 , but a pH below 5.5 is not advocate . Zinnias prefer a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5 .
Both efflorescence do well inwell - drain soilthat is slightly on the drier side . However , they are both tough plants that can support a scope of grease . Soggy filth can be an emergence .
Both blossom types will do good from pinching and deadheading . cabbage your zinnia or marigold seedlings when they are4 to 6 inches improbable . This will promote more branching and therefore more flowers ! you’re able to pinch your seedlings by snipping off the crown of a plant just above a set of leaves .
Deadheading is the operation of bump off faded flower . This will promote new stems with unexampled flowers . Instead of newspaper clipping off just the fleet flower , be sure to clip deeply into the plant to produce longer , substantial fore . Clip the flower stem just above a set of leaf . you could stay on deadheading until the autumn to have a Summer full of bloom !
Neither flower has high nutrient requirements . A well - balanced fertilizer with comparatively equal part ofnitrogen , phosphorus , and potassiumthat is comprise into the dirt at planting should be sufficient for both flower .
If marigolds are fertilize too heavy , they will produce less heyday . or else , the plant will focus on green folio growth . Zinnias may benefit from fecundation once a month after institute with ahigh phosphorus fertilizerto encourage new blooming .
How to Grow
set forth both flush indoors 4 to 6 week prior to your estimated last frost . Both are quick fledgeling , though I would say zinnias are always my first and easy flower to germinate . Using a heat matto jumpstart sprouting is recommended with these two flowers , but not absolutely necessary .
You may also steer seed these flush into the garden or in a crapper outside well after your last estimated frost . The grime must be at least 60 degrees F.
Pinch off our seedling at 4 to 6 inch in height to advance branching . Deadhead the pass off flower !
Both marigold and zinnias usually create an abundance of seed that you’re able to harvest at the final stage of the season . Be aware that some form are hybrid and therefore will notproduce seeds that will germinateand go on to look like the parent plant life .
Harvesting and Use
Both zinnia and marigolds are used as weakened flowers , landscape industrial plant , potted plant , and as companion plants in the garden !
marigold are say torepel certain insects in the garden , which is why you will often see marigold interplanted with vegetable crops . There is some public debate as to how efficacious marigolds are at repelling insects , but due to their inviolable odor they are considered deer resistant .
In fact , some would say that marigolds are best used as atrap cropbecause they attract certain pesterer aside from other ornamental plants . When constitute as a back harvest , certain varieties of marigolds have been known to oppress root greyback nematode preponderance , due to a innate chemical substance they release that inhibits the hatching of nematode egg .
Some marigold flower are used in salad or as a garnish . The flowers have a bitter taste sensation . Marigold flower have also been used to make innate dyes .
Zinnias are a great addition to a vegetable garden that needs pollinator louse to promote yield set . Zinnias attract several pollinators , so you will often see them being grow near veggie garden for that cause !
Popular Varieties of Marigolds
Marigolds are separated into three principal “ types ” : French , African , and Signet marigolds .
TheFrench marigolds(Tagetes patula ) are compact in growth habit ( usually between 6 and 12 column inch tall ) . They come in single and double forms , but the doubles are most popular . Blooms are typically 2 inches across .
TheAfrican marigolds(Tagetes erecta ) are not technically from Africa , but are so - named because of the patronage itinerary through Africa that work these marigold to Europe . These three-fold salad days are very large at 5 in across or more . The plants can reach up to 3 to 4 foot in summit .
TheSignet marigolds(Tagetes tenuifolia ) are the smallest at 6 inches marvelous or less . Their growth habit is mound and upright . These marigolds are considered eatable ( with a spicy tarragonflavor ) and are normally little at 1 inch across or less . The peak are typically single .
There are a few other specie of marigolds to note , like the perennial lemon - scentedMexican marigold(Tagetes lemonii ) , anise plant - flavoredSpanish tarragon(Tagetes lucida ) , and the white - blossom IrishLace marigold(Tagetes fillifolia ) that is licorice - odorous .
Popular Varieties of Zinnias
The most popular species of zinnia grown in the garden or in pots is the speciesZinnia elegans . Within this specie , there areseveral dissimilar varietiesthat can either be short and thickset or magniloquent and full-bodied .
The‘Benary ’s Giant’series includes mostly double flower that are 4 to 5 inches across . This series comes in several colors like crimson , clean , gold , yellow , pink , purple , precious coral , carmine , salmon , wine , orangeness , and more . ‘ Benary ’s Giant ’ zinnias will reach up to 3 to 4 feet in height .
The‘Magellan’series is a dwarf old maid make 12 to 14 inches in height and give rise a profuse amount of 4 to 5 inch blooms . The 7 colour of this variety include cherry tree , pinkish , precious coral , ivory , yellow , orangish , and scarlet .
Other species include the smaller - flowered and often bi - coloredZinnia haageanaand the lower - growingZinnia angustifolia .
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes , both of these flower require full sun ( at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per daylight ) in rescript to arise in good order . Plants will become leggy(sprawling and lengthened space between leafage nodes ) or yellow if they are not have enough sunlight . You may notice the plants stretching towards Light Within or the plants may grow very few blooms .
Yes ! They both make great potted flora . If you have soggy soils , planting these flowers in potsmay be the good choice for you , because both of these prime like well - draining soil . Pots or raised beds usually have excellent drainage . Be sure to pick out more compact or curt varieties that are bred to be do it flora if you decide to grow both of them in pots .
Final Thoughts
Both zinnias and marigolds are native to warmer climates and phallus of the Asteraceae family . They have similar ontogenesis requirements , such as a preference for well - draining soils , full sunlight , and abject fertiliser requirements . Because they are both beautiful , well-fixed to grow , and require the same type of growing conditions , you should definitelytryplanting marigold and zinnias together !
