Zinnia

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Germination: Cover seed completely; 70-75°; 4-10 days
Sizes: Packs or Direct sow for cuts; Packs; Premium Packs
4-6 pots for bedding; Finish: 5-12 weeks

Zinnia flowers are loved for their bright bold colors that make outstanding statements in garden beds, containers and cut flower arrangements. Whether you’re gardening at home, or growing zinnias for garden center and market sales, you’ll be pleased with all the different colors, types, heights and flower sizes available to you. Be sure to check out our most popular zinnia of all… the Benary’s Giants series, well known in cut flower circles for their large, dahlia flowers in a fantastic assortment of bright vivid color.

Zinnia varieties for garden center sales are generally short and bushy, and are sold in packs, pots and combo planters. Different flower types and sizes abound, with bloom sizes ranging from 1 – 4 inches. Zinnias are an annual staple for garden centers because of their quick turnaround time from sowing to point of sale, and their vivid flower color quickly attracts consumers. Varieties in the Magellan, Dreamland, Short Stuff, Distance, Zinnita, Zahara, Profusion, and Swizzle series are all excellent choices for garden center sales.

A fundamental annual for most field grown cut flower operations, zinnias are sold either in single bunches or mixed bouquets. Sown them directly in the field where they are quick to grow and ready to harvest. Cut flower zinnia varieties range in height from 24-36”, and come in different flower types such as cactus flowered, dahlia flowered, or pom pom flowered. Flower size varies from 1½ to 5 inches depending on variety. Marketing channels for cut flower zinnias are roadside stands, farmers’ markets and local florists. Varieties such as Benary’s Giant, Cut and Come, State Fair, Oklahoma, Edwardian Mix, and Cactus Flowered Mix are all excellent choice for commercial cut flower zinnia production.

The dwarf types are perfect for garden borders and patio containers. Try to pair them up with other annuals in a combo planter where their vivid color will contrast nicely with other subtle flower and foliage hues. Magellan, Dreamland Profusion, and Zahara varieties are especially noteworthy additions to planters. Tall zinnia varieties are perfect for the back sections of annual flower beds, and are often cut for indoor enjoyment. Ruffles Mix, Zowie! Yellow Flame and Uproar Rose, along with Benary’s Giant, State Fair and Giant Cactus Mix are all excellent candidates for home garden cut flower zinnias.

Many of our zinnia seed selections are available in money-saving collections! Try our Zinnia Garden Collection which brings you five different bedding plant zinnias to plant in your home garden. Or if you are looking for the best cut flower varieties around, then you’ll want to try our Benary’s Giant Collection that gives you eight great colors from the most popular tall dahlia-flowered zinnia series available!

For cut flower production, you may want to also consider some additional products to support your zinnia sales. Floral preservatives, support netting, cut flower bouquet sleeves, and even a cut flower display stand are available to help market your wares!