You can learn more about growing zinnias in containers here.
Cultivars to Select
There are quite a few popular cultivars on the market. The flowers can be single, semi-double, or fully double and they come in a rainbow of colors.
Aztec Series
The Aztec series consists of some very impressive cultivars like ‘Aztec Burgundy,’ ‘Aztec Orange,’ and ‘Aztec Red,’ which were all awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2017.
The colorful blossoms are up to two inches in diameter and very long lasting.
There’s quite a bit of variation among the flowers in the series. Some are double, some are single, and the height can vary, as well.
‘Aztec Sunset,’ for example, produces double flowers on stalks that are about six inches tall.
Chippendale Daisy
‘Chippendale Daisy’ has single blossoms in sunset-like hues of gold, yellow, and deep orange with a hint of burgundy at the center.
Let it grow and spread for a carpet of color or keep it in containers to add pizzazz to a patio.
You can find ‘Chippendale Daisy’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes available at Eden Brothers.
Color Crackle
With large, double, bicolored flowers, ‘Color Crackle’ is an eyeful.
Each petal has a burgundy base with golden yellow or creamy white on the tips, and the entire flower can be up to two inches in diameter, which is huge for this species.
Plant them en masse and you can enjoy a super impressive cut flower display.
You can find seeds in packets of 50 available at Burpee.
Old Mexico
‘Old Mexico’ offers remarkable variety on a single plant. The flowers may be single, semi-double, or double, and range in size from less than an inch to about two inches across.
Petal coloration varies as well, some blooms are solid yellow or red, but most display a mix, with red at the base and yellow tips in varying patterns.
This cultivar earned an All-America Selections award in 1962 and received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2017.
It blooms reliably from spring through frost, bringing lasting color and vibrancy to the garden.
You can find seeds available for this tried-and-true cultivar in a variety of packet sizes at Eden Brothers.
Persian Carpet
A mass of two-inch blooms from ‘Persian Carpet’ creates an eye-catching display.
This cultivar produces both single and double flowers in a mix of red, gold, chocolate brown, burgundy, orange, yellow, and cream.
Each plant is highly floriferous, producing heaps and heaps of stems throughout the season.
Bred by Bodger Seeds, ‘Persian Carpet’ received the All-America Selections award in the flower category in 1952, a recognition of its standout garden performance and vibrant color palette.
You can find ‘Persian Carpet’ seeds in a variety of packet sizes available at Botanical Interests.
Soleado
Like a million little suns sprinkled on the ground, ‘Soleado’ produces a profusion of bright yellow and orange blooms, each accented with a deep burgundy-brown center.
The flowers nod gently on slender stems that can reach up to two feet in height, creating a dynamic, sunlit effect in the garden.
This cultivar was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2017.
Sombrero
‘Sombrero’ features tall stems topped with bold, two-inch single blooms in shades of gold, orange, and red.
Petals often show a gradient of color, with rich red near the center fading to golden yellow at the tips.
The height and strong stems make this cultivar an excellent choice for cutting gardens and vase arrangements.
Tip your cap to ‘Sombrero’ and pop over to Eden Brothers to pick up some seeds.
Maintenance
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming. Use your fingernails or a small pair of scissors to snip off blooms as the petals begin to fade or discolor.
When the cool weather arrives and the plants die back, cut them off at the soil level and remove the debris to prevent pests from having a place to hide.
If you’d like to save seeds, allow a few flowers to mature fully on the plant.
