When I showed a friend the zinnias growing around my mailbox, he didn’t recognize them as zinnias because they were only about eight inches tall and covered with bright yellow flowers. Then I showed him the zinnias growing in a long row in my vegetable garden, and he recognized those. They were blooming in many colors and some were nearly three feet tall. Zinnias are versatile in the garden and make beautiful cut-flower bouquets indoors.

Are Zinnias Perennial?
Zinnias are annual flowers. Most of the zinnias we grow today originated from Zinnia elegans, which is native to Mexico. They grow, flower and set seed in one season, and do not tolerate any frost. In some areas, especially warmer areas, if you allow zinnia seeds to drop to the ground, you may get volunteer seedlings coming up the following spring.

Types of Zinnias

There are several types of zinnias and within those types, there are many varieties. They all grow best in well-drained soil and full sun.

Zinnia elegans
Most of t..