If you're new to the joys of zinnias, they might be just what your garden needs, and an easier alternative to trickier dahlias. While dahlias have been a backyard favorite for many years, there's no doubting their diva credentials. Growing them is a labor of love and often those flamboyant blooms fail to deliver after months of care and attention. They may well have had their day.
Zinnias, on the other hand, are some of the easiest hardy annuals to grow from seed. And they pack just as much color punch as dahlias. They're similar in size and just as versatile in the backyard, being perfect for all kinds of pots – planted solo or in combination with other container specimens – as well as in borders. The bright, jewel-like colors of zinnias can fill a yard from June to the first frosts. They're also nectar-rich magnets for a whole host of beneficial pollinators.
