These colorful annual flowers will brighten your garden and welcome butterflies from spring until frost.
Beautiful, vibrant, tall zinnias are a must in any garden.
You cansnip their stems for bouquetsorpress the bloomsbetween the pages of heavy books to save for later.
A monarch butterfly visits a ‘Benary’s Giant Bright Pink’ zinnia.Credit: Courtesy of The Flower Lady
Luckily, zinnias (Zinnia elegans) are easy togrow in a sunny spot.
The hard part is deciding which ones to plant because so many beautiful varieties are available.
Here are a few of the best zinnia varieties to get you started.
A mix of cactus-flowered zinnias always make an impressive bouquet.Credit: Courtesy of Ferry-Morse
“Their huge, dahlia-like blooms come in almost any color except blue.
Zinnias don’t come in blue,” he says.
Oklahoma Zinnias
Another bold zinnia series Matthews loves to grow is ‘Oklahoma’.
‘Queen Lime Orange’ zinnias feature stunning, multicolored petals.Credit: Courtesy of Fleuroselect
These 3-foot-tall zinnias have 2-inch flowerheads that resemble “round lollipops bursting with color,” Matthews says.
Cactus-Flowered Zinnias
Want something to have your neighbors peering over the fence with amazement?
Cactus-flowered zinnias have beautiful twisted or curved petals in several bright colors.
Zowie! ‘Yellow Flame’ zinnias have fiery red and yellow petals.Credit: Van Chaplin
“They make astunning cut-flower bouquet!”
These tall zinnias grow to 2.5 feet.
Queeny Lime Zinnias
For zinnias with incredible multicolored petals, try the Queeny Lime series.
The pink also emerges from the center and bleeds onto the petals."
These plants grow 2-3 feet tall.
Jazzy Mix Zinnias
For autumn colors, Matthews likes Jazzy Mix zinnias.
They should be planted in spring or summer, despite their fall-like tones.
The plants are on the taller side, she says, getting about 2.5 feet tall.
The unusual blooms “are great fun if you have kids,” she adds.
Yellow Flame Zinnia
Don’t miss Zowie!
‘Yellow Flame’, Matthews adds.
This zinnia, also an All-America Selections Winner, has fiery scarlet and yellow blooms.
‘Macarenia’ is a similar-looking, bicolor variety you’ve got the option to try, too.
Dwarf Zinnias
Short on garden space?
Instead of tall zinnias, opt for the Thumbelina Dwarf Mix, another All-America Selections Winner.
These compact cuties can start blooming at just 3 inches tall.
How are you going to choose from so many lovelies?
“These zinnias are tried-and-true,” Matthews adds.
“you’re free to’t go wrong with them.”
