Zinnia is a genus of plants of the sunflower tribe within the daisy family. They are native to scrub and dry grassland in an area stretching from the Southwestern United States to South America, with a center of diversity in Mexico. Members of the genus are notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colors. Most Zinnia species are annuals and bloom from early summer through the first frosts in autumn.

There are more than a dozen species of zinnias, but only a few species are regularly grown in home gardens. Among them, Zinnia elegans, known as common zinnia, with its tall, medium and dwarf varieties, has been around for a long time. Zinnia. angustifolia (also known as Z. linearis) which has narrower foliage and smaller single flowers is also very common. There are also a number of artificial hybrids based on different Zinnia species that are gaining popularity in the garden.

Zinnia “Dreamland”

The ‘Dreamland’ series (Zinnia elegans ‘Dreamland’) is comprised of dwarf, compact plants, 10 to 12 inches tall and half as wide. They bloom all summer with fully double blossoms, to 4 inches wide, in apricot, ivory, red, yellow, pink, and many shades in between. Dreamland is an early, large dahlia-flowered type providing a great color show both in containers and in the garden

Zinnia “Magellan”

This zinnia series (Zinnia elegans ‘Magellan’) is a dwarf variety that has been bred for exceptional performance. Plant habit and flower bloom time are uniform across all the vibrant colors and make an excellent choice for grower packs or 4 to 6″ pots. In the garden, secondary branching grows up and over the first flush of flowers, covering the spent blooms with no dead heading required. Garden height reaches 12 to 14″, with a 10 to 12″ spread.

• Available colors: cherry, orange, pink, salmon, scarlet, yellow
• flowers continuously throughout the season

Zinnia “Crystal”

Cultivars in the Crystal Series (Zinnia angustifolia ‘Crystal’) bear showy orange, yellow, or white daisy-shaped flowers on compact stems throughout summer. The blooms are a rich in color, with one to two layers of fat, overlapping petals. Measuring an inch or two across, they are held just above the dense, handsome dark green foliage on these 1-foot plants. Tolerant of heat, humidity, and dry conditions, this Mexican Zinnia is easy to grow and very long-blooming.

Zinnia “Profusion”

This cultivar is a hybrids between Z. elegans and Z. angustifolia. The profusion series Zinnia are highly prolific bloomers. Each variety in the Zinnia Profusion series produces masses of 2″ semi-double flowers on mid-height plants. Profusion varieties perform exceptionally well in both gardens and landscapes, due to their combined tolerance for both cool and hot, humid conditions.

• highly resistant to powdery mildew, compares to other varieities of Zinna
• Extreme heat and drought resistance makes for excellent landscape performance
• Orange, White and Cherry are All America Selections Gold Medal Winners; Cherry is also a Fleuroselect Gold Medal Winner

Zinnia “Zahara”

This is another artificial hybrid between Z. angustifolia var.angustifolia and Z. elegans. Zahara series zinnias are premium, easy to grow, heat, drought, and humidity resistant zinnias which grow 12-18 inches tall and are continuously covered with vibrant, 2.5 inch blooms throughout the season. These are tough plants, ideal for hot, sunny, dry areas in which conventional zinnias or vincas have previously failed. Highly resistant to mildew and leaf spot, they are impressive performers in the landscape, or containers.

• 20% larger flowers than most other varieties.
• Less care needed.
• Outstanding performer in heat, drought.

In the Garden

Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow, grow quickly, and bloom heavily. They make a massive burst of color in your garden. Use in an annual or mixed border. Smaller zinnias are suitable for edging, windowboxes or other containers. The narrow-leaf zinnia also works well in hanging baskets.

Characteristics:

• Solitary, daisy-like flowerheads on a single, erect stem.
• Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Song Birds.
• Showy Flowers

Caring & Growing

Temperature

USDA Hardiness Zone: 11

Light

Best grow in full sun.

Soil

Prefer  fertile, well-drained soil. Tolerates Loam or Sand type soil.

Watering

Water only when needed, and then only at the base of the plants. Wet leaves can promote mildew development, and splashing water can transfer fungus from the ground onto zinnia leaves

Fertilization

Feed monthly during growing season. Fertilize with an organic bloom boosting fertilizer once plants have started flowering.

Misc. Maintenance

Deadhead spent blossoms to continue flowering.