Zinnias are a beloved choice for gardeners due to their vibrant colors, diverse forms, and ease of care. These annual flowers are perfect for adding a burst of color to your garden from summer through the first frost. Here’s a comprehensive guide on some of the best zinnia types to grow, along with tips on how to care for them.
1. Zahara Series
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 18 inches
- Colors: Available in a variety of colors including rose, coral, and yellow
- Bloom Size: Medium-sized blooms
- Growth Habit: Compact and bushy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours per day)
- Soil: Well-draining soil with moderate fertility
- Water: Regular watering, but allow soil to dry out between waterings
- Disease Resistance: High resistance to mildew and other diseases
Unique Features:
- Excellent for containers, small gardens, or edging
- Long blooming season with vibrant, disease-resistant flowers
2. Benary’s Giant Series
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 4 feet
- Colors: Salmon rose, lilac, deep red, white, and more
- Bloom Size: Large, vibrant flowers
- Growth Habit: Tall and robust with thick branching stems
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Rich, well-draining soil
- Water: Consistent watering for optimal growth
- Staking: May require staking due to height
Unique Features:
- Perfect for the back of borders or as cut flowers
- Known for large, showy blooms and robust growth
3. Thumbelina Series
Characteristics:
- Height: 6 to 8 inches
- Colors: Pink, purple, orange, red, yellow, and lavender
- Bloom Size: Small, colorful flowers
- Growth Habit: Dwarf and compact
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Moderate watering
- Spacing: Plant 6 inches apart for best results
Unique Features:
- Ideal for edging, window boxes, or containers
- Attracts pollinators and adds color without taking up much space
4. Envy Zinnia
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 40 inches
- Colors: Green petals with yellow centers
- Bloom Size: Medium-sized blooms
- Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming
Unique Features:
- Unique green flowers add contrast to the garden
- Attracts beneficial insects and has long-lasting blooms
5. State Fair Mix
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 4 feet
- Colors: Orange, yellow, gold, rose, rust, lavender, and purple
- Bloom Size: Large, fully double flowers
- Growth Habit: Tall and sturdy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Staking: May require staking
Unique Features:
- Known for disease resistance and long-lasting blooms
- Highly attractive to pollinators and great for cutting
6. Profusion Series
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 18 inches
- Colors: Cherry, orange, white, and more
- Bloom Size: Medium-sized blooms
- Growth Habit: Compact and bushy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Disease Resistance: High resistance to mildew
Unique Features:
- Prolific blooming and compact size make it ideal for borders or containers
- Available in a variety of colors
7. Cactus-Flowered Zinnias
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 3 feet
- Colors: Various shades including scarlet, pink, yellow, orange, and white
- Bloom Size: Medium to large blooms with twisted or curved petals
- Growth Habit: Upright and sturdy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Deadheading: Encourages continuous blooming
Unique Features:
- Unique petal shape adds elegance to the garden
- Attracts pollinators and is great for cutting
8. Queeny Lime Orange
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 40 inches
- Colors: Tricolor flowers in shades of coral, peach, and lime
- Bloom Size: Large blooms
- Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Deadheading: Encourages continuous blooming
Unique Features:
- Unique tricolor flowers add a pop of color
- Highly attractive to pollinators
9. Swizzle Series
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 12 inches
- Colors: Variety of colors
- Bloom Size: Large, semi-double blooms
- Growth Habit: Dwarf and compact
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Climate: Well-suited to hot, dry climates
Unique Features:
- Perfect for containers or small gardens
- Long blooming season and vibrant colors
10. Zinderella Series
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 30 inches
- Colors: Pastel shades of pink and purple
- Bloom Size: Medium-sized, pompom-style blooms
- Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Deadheading: Encourages continuous blooming
Unique Features:
- Adds a soft, romantic touch to the garden
- Highly attractive to pollinators
11. Big Red
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 36 inches
- Colors: Scarlet blossoms that fade to deep orange
- Bloom Size: Large, six-inch blooms
- Growth Habit: Upright and sturdy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Deadheading: Encourages continuous blooming
Unique Features:
- Bold, vibrant color adds a striking element to the garden
- Great for cutting and bringing indoors
12. Color Crackle
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 24 inches
- Colors: Burgundy and white bicolored blooms
- Bloom Size: Medium-sized blooms
- Growth Habit: Upright and bushy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Disease Resistance: Resistant to mildew and drought
Unique Features:
- Unique bicolored blooms add elegance to the garden
- Great for cutting and bringing indoors
13. Double Zahara Yellow
Characteristics:
- Height: Up to 20 inches
- Colors: Bright yellow
- Bloom Size: Large, double, globe-type blooms
- Growth Habit: Compact and bushy
Care Requirements:
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Regular watering
- Disease Resistance: High resistance to diseases
Unique Features:
- Vibrant yellow blooms add a sunny touch to the garden
- Great for cutting and bringing indoors
Planting and Care Tips
Soil and Sunlight
Zinnias thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. They are relatively low maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil conditions. Ensure your zinnias get at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth and blooming.
Watering
Water zinnias regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. Zinnias are somewhat drought-tolerant once established, but consistent watering will encourage better blooming.
Deadheading
Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Deadheading also helps to keep the plant looking tidy and prevents it from setting seed too early, which can prolong the blooming season.
Pests and Diseases
Zinnias are relatively pest-resistant, but keep an eye out for caterpillars, mealybugs, and spider mites. They can also be susceptible to powdery mildew, so ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent this.
Staking
Many zinnia varieties grow tall and may require staking to prevent their heavy stems from lying on the ground. Stake close to the plant stem a few weeks after planting, taking care not to injure the roots.
Companion Planting
Zinnias pair well with a variety of other flowers and plants. Consider planting them with marigolds, cosmos, or nasturtiums for a vibrant and diverse garden display.
By choosing the right zinnia varieties and providing them with the care they need, you can enjoy a vibrant and colorful garden all summer long. Whether you’re looking to add a bold statement or a soft touch to your garden, there’s a zinnia variety that’s perfect for you.