CAES Newswire

 College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences UGA Cooperative Extension
Menu
Published on 07/24/17

The uproar over zinnias continues in the garden

By Norman Winter

It’s been eight years, and ‘Uproar Rose’ is still causing an uproar in the gardening world. One of the best zinnias to ever hit the market, ‘Uproar Rose’ is the one to give you bouquets for the vase and living arrangements in the landscape.

It was 2009 when the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers selected ‘Uproar Rose’ as the Cut Flower of the Year. The association has had many other outstanding selections we can all grow and cut for the vase, like ‘Limelight’ hydrangea and ‘Amazon’ dianthus.

‘Uproar Rose’ is most unique, which makes its story even more amazing. First, consider that it is a series of one. No other ‘Uproar’ zinnias exist. The ‘Benary’s Giant’ and ‘Oklahoma’ series have dozens of colors. The fact that ‘Uproar Rose’ is the only one — and is still around — is amazing.

To find a tall, cut-flower-type zinnia available as a transplant at your local garden center is also a statement. It’s kind of like looking for a four-leaf clover. But ‘Uproar Rose’ is often found along with shorter landscape zinnias like the ‘Dreamland’ and ‘Magellan’ series.

Unlike those shorter cousins, ‘Uproar Rose’ will give you a bounty of blossoms all summer. Their large, dahlia-like blooms are borne on 30-inch stems. When spaced as recommended, they also show a good level of powdery mildew resistance.

Mid-July is a great time to plant zinnias. There is a lot of growing time between now and fall’s first frost. In fact, Southern locations could probably get in two crops. Whether you choose a package of ‘Uproar Rose’ zinnias or get lucky enough to still find transplants, know that they prefer full sun to really put on a dazzling performance.

Prepare beds by incorporating 3 to 4 inches of organic matter and 2 pounds of a slow release 12-6-6 fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed space. Direct-seed, or set out transplants that have little to no color showing.

Thin seedlings to around 6 to 8 inches for the vigorous growth that is about to occur. Mulch when the seedlings are large enough or after setting out transplants. Side-dress the young plants in six to eight weeks with light applications of fertilizer.

Cut-flower growers should grow many of them in rows and with more of an agricultural look — after all, you will be cutting every day. If you don’t think people will buy cut zinnias, you should see the Saturday farmers market in Columbus, Georgia.

In the landscape, ‘Uproar’ zinnias work in a cottage setting, in a pollinator garden and simply as a taller form of intense rose in a living bouquet of mixed colors. ‘Uproar’ zinnias also excel artistically in designer containers.

Whether you choose ‘Uproar Rose’ or another variety, know that zinnias are the perfect flower to get your children or grandchildren involved in the greatest hobby on earth, gardening.

Follow me on Twitter @CGBGgardenguru. For more information about the University of Georgia Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia, go to www.coastalgeorgiabg.org.

Norman Winter is the director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm in Savannah, Georgia.

Authors:
Norman Winter
Experts/Sources:
Norman Winter
Unlike its shorter cousins, Uproar Rose zinnia will provide a bounty of blossoms all summer. They are large dahlia-like blooms borne on 30-inch stems. And, they also show a good level of powdery mildew resistance when spaced as recommended. In the landscape, Uproar zinnias work in a cottage setting, pollinator garden and simply as a taller form of intense rose mixed in a living bouquet of mixed colors. Uproar zinnias also excel artistically in designer containers too.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Download Image
A student harvests red clover at UGArden. CAES News
UGA horticulture class shows students the science behind herbal remedies 04/16/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
The field of medicine is ever-changing, and the use of herbal medicines may play a bigger role in health care as the value of natural remedies gain recognition in the Western world. Students at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are delving into the field of medicinal remedies through the class “Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants.” Offered to undergraduate students through the Department of Horticulture, the class helps students develop a deeper understanding of the connection between nature and health.
Peach growers are looking forward to a fruitful season as the weather this winter and spring have been near-perfect for the sensitive crop. This year is projected to be a much-needed comeback from the disastrous season they experienced after a late freeze in March 2023 took out more than 90% of the state's crop. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA) CAES News
Growers hopeful 2024 peach season will rebound from disastrous 2023 04/10/24 Emily Cabrera
Last year, the peach industry lost $60 million due to the late freeze that hit much of the Southeast in mid-March 2023, said Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agent for Peach and Taylor counties. With no freezing temperatures in the forecast and hope for strong pricing during the upcoming season, peach growers are looking forward to a much-needed rebound year.
A mug of UGArden's chamomile tea. CAES News
UGArden herbal tea program launches sales in campus dining halls 03/21/24 Jordan Powers
The door to UGArden’s herb drying room leads to an olfactory explosion — sharp peppermint, earthy tulsi, sweet calendula and floral chamomile mix into an herbal perfume that would undoubtedly have tea drinkers reaching for their kettles. Now University of Georgia students will be able to get a taste of UGArden’s chamomile tea, along with a selection of the student community farm’s other herbal teas, with their campus meals as the UGArden medicinal herb program expands into UGA dining halls this spring.
UGA horticulture course teaches fundamentals of floral design CAES News
UGA horticulture course teaches fundamentals of floral design 02/08/24 Jordan Powers
As students filter into Julie Campbell’s Tuesday morning lab, they are greeted by bins of sharp tools lining cold, stainless steel tables. It’s dissection day, but not the kind you may expect. This is “Floral Design and Management,” or HORT 3030, and today’s lesson is the anatomy of a flower. Students pass pale pink carnations and delicate yellow-and-orange Alstroemeria around the room as Campbell, assistant professor in the University of Georgia Department of Horticulture, begins a lecture on plant morphology.
UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers Sharon Kane and Becky Griffin put together a map displaying the economic value of pollinators to spread awareness about the impact of pollinators and the necessity of continued conservation. (Photo by Chamberlain Smith/UGA) CAES News
Mapping the economic value of pollinators 02/07/24 Sameeka Prabath Rajamani
From beetles to butterflies, pollinators are a beautiful and integral part of nature. However, these tiny creatures may be more economically important to agricultural and ecological systems than previously thought. In a recent project by the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development at the University of Georgia, economist Sharon Kane and plant protection expert Becky Griffin have put together a powerful map displaying the economic importance of pollinators across Georgia.  
At a recent event hosted by City of Refuge, 10 fellows packed 1,200 bags for students who are dealing with food insecurity. (Photo by Wes Mayer) CAES News
UGA program addresses food insecurity in Athens 01/18/24 Kristen Linthicum
The University of Georgia’s Office of Service-Learning has established longstanding partnerships with community organizations to help address local food insecurity. Last September, the office launched the AmeriCorps Community Food Fellows program to further support these organizations. Since then, the 20 fellows have connected with organizations across the Athens community, serving daily meals at Our Daily Bread, harvesting food at UGArden, packing meals with Campus Kitchen, and delivering meals to families served by the Athens Community Council on Aging.