ID please

[Paulines7]

I was looking through some old photos taken in France and came across this picture.  I cannot recognise the flower or leaf.  Any suggestions please and would they grow in the UK?

[Paulines7]

[ed dibbles]

They are Zinnias so yes they can be grown here either as summer bedding or a mixed display as in the picture.

They like plenty of warmth though.

[Tee Gee]

This is how I grow them

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Zinnia/Zinnia.htm

[Paulines7]

Thank you Ed dibbles and Tee Gee.  I will look out for them next year with the bedding plants in my local garden centre.

[Deb P]

I've had good results with mixed Zinnea seed from Wilco's, Californian mix and 'Big boy' I think they were! You can get single colours which look lovely, I grew some great lime green and purple ones from Plants of Distinction, not cheap but all came true. I grow mine mixed with other plants as they can look a bit lost on their own as they don't branch much until quite late on.

[ancellsfarmer]

Zinnias are always amongst the seed collection in Lidl,3 varieties @29p per packet, I think. Easy to growand very spectacular as you can see. Do best in hot years, like good conditions with plenty of sun.

[lavenderlux]

If you grow Zinnias from seed, you need to sow one or two seeds per 'cell' and then plant out the cell, as they don't like root disturbance.  They make good cut flowers