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Stop Weeds From Taking Over Zinnias With A Popular Flowering Herb
By TAYLOR HENRY
Favored by hummingbirds, zinnias are zesty, striking summer flowers that are easy to cultivate and maintain. They can be grown from seed and thrive in USDA zones 3 through 10.
As these annuals grow up to 4 feet tall, weeds can colonize the space beneath them. If this is an issue for you, a great companion plant to grow under zinnias is creeping thyme.
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a perennial ground cover that prefers USDA zones 4 to 9. It suppresses weeds and attracts bees and butterflies, enhancing zinnia pollination.
Zinnias and creeping thyme pair well, as they both like full sunlight and well-draining soil, and zinnias are taller while creeping thyme stays low, reaching 3 to 6 inches high.
Start thyme from seed indoors eight weeks before the last frost, then transplant it into the garden in late spring to establish it about a year before planting your zinnias.
Avoid overwatering both plants, as this can cause root rot in thyme and powdery mildew on zinnias. Together, your zinnias and creeping thyme will create harmonious garden beds.