These colorful one-year flowers will brighten your garden and welcome butterflies from spring until frost .
Beautiful , vivacious , tall zinnias are a must in any garden . Their crayon - bright colors , mythological forms ( they number in single , double , semi - double , and cactus types ) , andattractiveness to butterfliesmake them a welcome add-on to any landscape painting . You cansnip their stem for bouquetsorpress the bloomsbetween the pages of heavy books to lay aside for later . In the descent , leave the season ’s last flowers to dry on these yearly plants so birds can nibble their seeds .
Luckily , zinnias ( Zinnia elegans ) are well-heeled togrow in a sunny spot . The hard part is deciding which ones to found because so many beautiful varieties are available . Here are a few of the just zinnia varieties to get you bulge .
A monarch butterfly visits a ‘Benary’s Giant Bright Pink’ zinnia.Credit: Courtesy of The Flower Lady
1. Benary’s Giant
" Most of the glory go to the tall zinnias , " order Eric Grissell , source ofA History of Zinnias : Flowers for the Ages . He points to popular Benary ’s Giant , a classic serial that gets its name from the German seed ship’s company that developed it , and the fact that these tallzinniascan grow upwards of 4 feet . " Their Brobdingnagian , Dahlia pinnata - similar efflorescence come in almost any color except blue . Zinnias do n’t come in blue-blooded , " he says .
Florist and grower Christina Matthews always plants rows of Benary ’s Giant on her urban heyday farm in Cincinnati , Ohio , for her stage business , The Flower Lady . " I call them star topology flowers , " she says , " because they ’re so shiny and cheerful . " One of her front-runner is Benary ’s Salmon Rose , " a peachy , blushy , pinky " shade she use for her wedding flowered body of work .
2. Oklahoma Zinnias
Another sheer zinnia series Matthews loves to grow is ' Oklahoma ' . The blooms can be semi - double or double ( which means they can have extra rows of petals that make them look fuller ) . These 3 - fundament - tall zinnias have 2 - inch flowerheads that resemble " pear-shaped lollipop burst with colour , " Matthews aver . They come in mixes of yellow , orange , pink , and " a deep , gorgeous Marxist that attractsmonarch philander , " she adds .
3. Cactus-Flowered Zinnias
Want something to have your neighbor peering over the fencing with amazement ? Cactus - bloom zinnias have beautiful twisted or curved petals in several burnished colour . " For a super - coloured exhibit with extra - large blooms and typical quill - mold petals , you ca n’t go ill-timed with Giant Cactus Zinnias in Mixed Colors , " says Rebecca Sears , chief marketing officeholder for Green Garden Products , which own Ferry - Morse seed company . " They make astunning cut - flower bouquet ! "
4. Zinderella
Also fantastic for flower arrangements is the Zinderella series , accord to Elizabeth Sanchez , possessor of Tommy Austin Florist , which is part of the countrywide floral livery service of process BloomNation . They ’re available in bright loss and orange , white , and purpleness , but the antique - y pinko , lilac , and peach shade are Sanchez ’s darling . Each bloom features a dome of ruffled , densely packed , short petals set off by a bird of long petals . These tall zinnia originate to 2.5 feet .
5. Queeny Lime Zinnias
For zinnias with incredible multicolored petals , adjudicate the Queeny Lime series . ' Queeny Lime Orange ' is anAll - America Selections winnerthanks to its unparalleled red coral , let the cat out of the bag , and apricot chromaticity spotlight with pale green and its top operation in trials nationwide .
' Queeny Lime Blush ' is a favorite for Matthews , who describes it as " a bright green efflorescence dusted with beautiful pink edging . The pink also emerges from the centre and bleeds onto the flower petal . " The series also offers ' Queeny Lime Red ' , which resembles ' Queeny Lime Orange ' , except it has rose and ruby pure tone with pallid Green River . These plants grow 2 - 3 feet improbable .
6. Jazzy Mix Zinnias
For autumn colors , Matthews like Jazzy Mix zinnias . " Their icteric , emollient , Orange River , burgundy , and maroon shades are outstanding for fall garden and bouquet . " They ’re a more compact variety than most tall old maid plants , but they still grow to about 2 feet grandiloquent with petite blooms just 1 - 2 inch wide . They should be planted in leap or summer , despite their fall - same tones .
7. Peppermint Stick Zinnia
A vintage variety , ' Peppermint Stick ' takes your garden from early fall into the vacation , Matthews says . Each of the dahlia - similar blooms has a slenderly dissimilar pattern ; the blossom are white or creamy yellow with red stripes and speckles . The plant are on the taller side , she articulate , stupefy about 2.5 feet tall . The unusual blooms " are great fun if you have kids , " she adds .
8. Zowie! Yellow Flame Zinnia
Do n’t miss Zowie ! ' Yellow Flame ' , Matthews adds . This zinnia , also an All - America Selections Winner , has perfervid scarlet and jaundiced blooms . Expect this tall zinnia to grow to 3 groundwork , with up to 5 - in blooms that change colour as they age . ' Macarenia ' is a similar - sounding , bicolor motley you could try , too .
9. Dwarf Zinnias
forgetful on garden space ? Instead of tall zinnias , opt for the Thumbelina Dwarf Mix , another All - America Selections Winner . These compact cuties can start out blooming at just 3 in tall . Thumbelina zinnias will proceed growing up to 6 - 8 inch or more , depending on the commixture , including shades of pinkish , purple , orange , red , yellow , and lavender . They ’re a right choice for the front of your garden , Matthews says , because they won’tblock your view of other plants .
How are you going to choose from so many lovelies ? " suppose about what you require , " Grissell advise , " whether it ’s a garden of color with marvelous , unforesightful , single , semi - duple , or forked flowers . " And think back that part of thefun of annualsis that you could judge something novel each yr , so go beforehand and grow a bunch ofdifferent old maid flower varietiesside by side , or go with just one or two to see which ones you like best . " These zinnia are tried - and - true , " Matthews adds . " You ca n’t go unseasonable with them . "
A mix of cactus-flowered zinnias always make an impressive bouquet.Credit: Courtesy of Ferry-Morse
‘Queen Lime Orange’ zinnias feature stunning, multicolored petals.Credit: Courtesy of Fleuroselect
Zowie! ‘Yellow Flame’ zinnias have fiery red and yellow petals.Credit: Van Chaplin
