How to Select Zinnias

Zinnias are colorful daisy-shaped flowers that grow in warm climates. They flourish in beds, borders and gardens from summer to fall. The flowers are magnificent as landscape plants and excellent as cut flowers. These easy to grow flowers come in many bright colors. Add zinnias to your summer garden with these simple steps.

Zinnia seeds
Zinnia bedding plants

Instructions

- 1
  Plant tall zinnias such as California Giant or Blue Point along a fence or garden backdrop. These zinnias grow 3 to 4 feet tall and have large 5 to 6 inch blooms in colors including yellow, apricot, red and maroon. The blooms range from flat single-layer to dense domed flowers. Cut off the long stem flowers for bouquets to encourage repeat blooming through autumn. Leave one or two plants as seed buffets for small birds.
- 2
  
  Use popular mid-range zinnias like Common Zinnia or Profusion. They grow 1 to 2 feet in height. Use these zinnias for most zinnia beds and mixed flowerbeds. Their flowers are in almost every color and range up to 3 inches wide. Plant a row of zinnias and then a row of other annuals for a balanced appearance. Choose one color for each zinnia row if special colors are needed for bouquets.
- 3
  Make a narrow border of miniature zinnias. Dwarf varieties like Thumbelina have profuse flowers 1 to 2 inches in diameter and grow up to 6 inches tall. The multicolor flowers thrive in hot dry weather. Edge a driveway or walkway with these small brilliant flowers. They also work well in sunny windowsills and summer containers.
- 4
  
  Attract butterflies and small birds with zinnias. The long-lasting flowers provide nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Hummer lore says that hummingbirds favor red flowers. Small goldfinches and other birds feed on zinnia flower seeds. They perch on the flower and pull out seeds.
- 5
  
  Mix zinnias with wildflowers for a summer garden. Scatter seeds early in spring and work them into the soil. Water until the flowers are established. Plant zinnias with bluebonnets, poppies, bachelor buttons and other annual flowers for a long blooming garden. Some gardeners prefer to plant a bed of mixed zinnias. Buy a prepared mix or use several seed packets to create your own zinnia blend.

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