Zinnias are truly marvelous prime , spectacularly colorful annuals that are unbelievably wanton to turn .

And they come in a dizzying regalia of colors , shapes , and styles that the butterflies will love intimately as much as you do !

Not sure where to begin , or how to resolve which ones to select ? Read on for our guide to opt between different old maid flower specie and salad days type .

A close up horizontal image of brightly colored zinnia flowers in a bouquet.

Types of Zinnia Flowers

There are over 20 old maid flower coinage in the natural state . Only a few of these species are ordinarily grown in gardens , though due to the unbelievable popularity of these flowers , they have been bred into hundreds of different cultivars and hybrids .

This mean you’re able to obtain a zinnia in pretty muchany color dodge you desire , with different patterns , shapes , and sizes range from a few inches to several infantry improbable .

Want to learn more about growing these magnificent yearly ? Check outour full guide to growing old maid .

A vertical image of different colored zinnias growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

Cultivated Species

The majority of cultivars originate from the speciesZinnia elegans . Native to Mexico , the barbarian works bring forth individual flower heads about two inches in duration , with purple flower petal surrounding opprobrious and yellow central discs .

The true metal money is not easy to receive , however , since it has interbred with scat cultivated variety show that have naturalise around the man .

Other cultivate varieties originate from the narrow leafed zinnia , Z. angustifolia . It has single white-hot , yellowish , and orangish flowers that are a routine pocket-sized in sizing , an inch or two across , on plants eight to 18 column inch marvelous .

A close up horizontal image of different types of zinnia flowers growing in the garden.

This mintage is fairly rut and drouth resistant , so it ’s a skilful choice if you are gardening in a warm climate , or in locations that tend to retain heat like planting areas along city sidewalks .

Z. haageana , also known as Mexican zinnia , incline to be more disease immune than other specie , and features exclusive or double petaled blooms that are red , yellow , or orangish in color . Plants get about 15 inches in height .

BothZ. angustifoliaandZ. haageanahave been traverse withZ. elegansto create even more varieties .

A horizontal image of orange and white zinnia flowers pictured in evening sunshine.

The choice do indeed seem interminable !

Flower Shapes

When selecting types to acquire in your garden , it is useful to note that depending on the cultivar , zinnia can have single , semi - double , or amply double flowers , as well as dahlia , globe , and cactus peak forms .

Single petaled change contain a solitary row of petals that leave the heart of the bloom seeable . Single flowers are great for pull pollinator since the pollen is easy accessible by butterflies , hummingbird , and insect .

double , by demarcation , have several rows of petals and no visible heart . These outstanding prime can be several inches wide .

A close up horizontal image of a red and white Mexican zinnia flower growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

semifinal - double give you a bit of both . They have a seeable key disc as well as two or more row of petal .

Cactus eccentric have narrow semi double or double quilled petals that turn and curl towards their undersides . These cheerful bloom number in a wide salmagundi of colors and can be up to five inches across .

Their impressive size of it and uniquely shaped petals make them stunning cut flowers !

A close up horizontal image of a bright pink z. elegans flower pictured on a soft focus background.

orb types are named for their spherical blossom head , which are usually a couple of inch in size or more . They can be undivided or double blossomed . A round , mound growth habit also make water them a great choice forgrowing in containers .

And dahlia zinnias are semi double to doubled , rounded , dahlia - similar flowers with blanket , flat petals . These large striking flush typically grow on longsighted theme , and can be up to six inches in diam .

There are also cap or scabiosa blossom zinnias , which have tufted double , semi - threefold , or single flowers in all sorts of colour , typically with a distinct dark heart .

A close up horizontal image of pink double petalled zinnia flowers pictured on a soft focus background.

A cultivar ofZ. elegans , these frilly eye - catching blooms are nominate for their resemblance to scabiosa or pincushion heyday , and can also sometimes be determine under the name “ Zinerellas . ”

Size and Color

Full - sized cultivars can grow up to four substructure tall with a spread of several ft , while some midget varieties reach only six inches marvellous and wide .

If you are looking for something to engraft in containers or along a border , a compendious variety would in all probability be good .

The full - size peak are dramatic when sport in sundry garden beds , or planted en masse shot .

A close up horizontal image of a bright pink semi double flower growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

desire to set a butterfly garden ? Full - sized varieties with large heyday , peculiarly those with single or semi - double efflorescence , are wonderful for attract pollinator like hummingbirds , bee , and butterflies .

And of course , there are so many different colors and radiation pattern to choose from ! you may find these magnificent flower in almost any color of the rainbow .

Check out this roundup for some ofour preferent old maid flower cultivar to turn at family .

A close up horizontal image of a bright red cactus flowered zinnia growing in the garden pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

Hard to Go Wrong

While it may seem overwhelming , honestly , you ca n’t really go wrong when selecting old maid cultivar . I have yet to develop a diversity I did n’t have a go at it !

Want to add even morecolorful flowersto your garden ? Check out these clause next for more great ideas :

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A close up horizontal image of a pink double petaled flower pictured on a dark soft focus background.

About

Heather Buckner

A close up horizontal image of two dahlia flowered zinnia flowers growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

A close up horizontal image of bright yellow zinnia flowers growing in pots.

A horizontal image of a garden scene of a swath of zinnia flowers growing in a border.

A horizontal image of a swath of zinnia flowers growing in a garden border pictured in bright sunshine.