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If you've grown zinnias before, but don't anymore because they always succumbed to disease like powdery mildewn, do I have a zinnia for you.
AAS is a non-profit organization for evaluating new seed-grown flowers and vegetables for home garden performance. "Profusion Zinnia" was the only flower to win the Gold Medal in 2001. AAS Executive Director Nona Wolfram-Koivula called "Profusion White" a "breeding breakthrough." She adds, "It is rare for an entry to win a Gold Medal. This occurs only around once a decade, but because of the other "Profusion" zinnia Gold Medal winners, it has occurred three times." Yes, Sakata Seed's "Profusion" zinnia series has won AAS's Gold Medal an astounding three times! Previous winners were "Profusion Orange" and "Profusion Cherry" in 1999. What makes these zinnias special? Wolfram-Koivula cites the built-in disease resistance. If you've grown zinnias in your home garden before, you know that they tend to get powdery mildew. This fungus disease appears as a white or gray, powdery coating on the plant. Powdery mildew is especially prevalent in cool conditions - whether they're planted in too much shade or late in the season during fall. "Because of the disease resistance, all other white zinnias will now be compared to 'Profusion White,'" Wolfram-Koivula says. "It sets a new standard in that home gardeners will notice continuous flowering from spring through summer and even into late fall." Sakata Seed America's John Nelson also touts the disease resistance as the primary benefit of "Profusion" zinnias. "The market is filled with zinnia varieties that have large flowers, but these varieties are normally easily affected by powdery mildew and other diseases," Nelson says. "Profusion was bred to meet both of these desirable traits: large flowers and disease resistance." "Profusion" zinnias will fill flower beds with their small, daisy-like flowers. Plants spread 12 to 24 inches. No pinching or trimming is required to keep them compact. Already-started transplants of "Profusion" zinnias will be available at garden centers throughout the world this spring and summer. Look for the red, white and blue AAS display signs. If you prefer starting from seeds, you can order them from large mail-order seed companies, such as George W. Park in South Carolina. For a free catalog, call toll-free (800) 845- 3369. Go To Page: 1
The copyright of the article Profusion White Zinnia in California Gardening is owned by . Permission to republish Profusion White Zinnia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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