Originally from the dry grasslands in the American Southwest and Mexico, zinnias are recognized by their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colored variations. Butterflies love zinnias, and you may want to plant them as part of a butterfly garden.
Zinnias are usually grown from seed, preferably in fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained soil, in an area with full sun. They will often reseed in the spring.
A few new zinnia cultivars that have really caught my attention this year are the Zinnia Profusion Deep Apricot, a bright colored, hardy landscaping zinnia, and Zinnia Aztec Sunset a bronze and gold, double-blooming, mildew resistant zinnia that will stay in bloom all season. The Aztec Sunset is absolutely beautiful– They caught my eye in the garden center last week. They are some of the prettiest flowers out there… well, the red salvia is nice too… and those puffy yellow marigolds that look like cupcakes.