Zinnia elegans-mixed colors
Description
Zinnia elegans-common Zinnia
About Zinnias
Zinnias are native to Mexico but they have long been a favorite in annual gardens across the US and elsewhere. They are easy to grow and reliable. They are perennial in their native environment but are grown as annuals in most of the US.
Zinnias grow quickly and begin flowering as a young plant. They flower all summer and into the fall. Dead-heading will usually increase flowering. They also make great cut flowers.
Zinnia varieties are favored more by larger butterflies as opposed to smaller and even the height of the plant can make a difference in which butterflies are attracted to it.
One of the most important considerations is to choose a Zinnia that has obvious yellow disk florets in the center of it like the picture to the right. Many of the heirloom varieties do but some of the larger, fancier, and newer varieties have had those yellow disk florets bred out of them for varying reasons. The disk florets are the parts that provide nectar. If they are not present then the butterflies will move on to look for nectar elsewhere.
One other important truth with Zinnias (as with other butterfly plants) is “the more the better”. You are better off creating a large patch of one type of plant rather than sprinkling them around your garden. Although container gardening is a great option, if you have the room to create large patches then you will increase the attractiveness to butterflies.
All my seeds come with full growing instructions and are packaged in reusable zip lock bags to keep your seed fresh and dry.if you order more than one of these packs of seeds they will be shipped in one package unless otherwise requested.