11 Zinnia Garden Ideas We Love - Simplymarla (2024)

This is my favorite time of year where all your hard work in the garden pays off! Zinnia flowers are one of the most low maintenance beautiful flowers that will bring life into your garden. We will show you 11 zinnia garden ideas that will transform your backyard!

Starting a zinnia garden can seem overwhelming if you don’t have a green thumb, but they are actually very beginner friendly! In this post we will show you how to care for your zinnia garden, what flowers to plant with your zinnia garden and zinnia garden ideas you can copy!

This post is all about zinnia garden ideas.

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How to Care for Zinnias in the Garden

Zinnias are popular annual flowers that are easy to care for and can bring vibrant colors to your garden or flower beds. Here are some tips on how to care for zinnia flowers!

Check out this very helpful video on everything you need to know about starting and maintaining your zinnia garden bed!

Planting Zinnias

Zinnias need full sun to thrive, so choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Plant them in well-draining soil, and water the soil thoroughly after planting.

Zinnia flowers are annuals which means they have a life cycle that lasts one growing season. Often times these types of plants need to be replaced yearly, but that is not necessarily true for those plants that germinate.

Watering Zinnias

Water your zinnias flowers regularly to keep the soil moist but not over watered. Zinnias don’t like to dry out completely, so water them deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions.

Fertilizing Zinnia Flowers

Zinnias benefit from regular fertilization to promote healthy growth and abundant blooms. Use a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season, following the manufacturer’s instructions. We use Miracle-Gro Flower Food as directed on the package for our zinnia flower bed.

BUY THE FERTILIZER

This 3 in 1 fertilizer seed mix makes it easy to start your own zinnia garden bed for an affordable price!

Deadheading

Zinnias produce more blooms if you remove the dead flowers regularly. This process is called deadheading, and it involves cutting off the faded blooms with scissors or pruning shears. Deadheading also helps to prevent the zinnias from going to seed too quickly.

BEST PRUNING SHEARS

These are our favorite pruning shears because they are so heavy duty and easy to use even on the most stubborn plants!

Pests and diseases That Harm Zinnias

Zinnias are generally resistant to pests and diseases, but they can still be affected by common garden problems such as aphids, spider mites, and powdery mildew. Monitor your plants regularly and treat any issues promptly with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide.

By following these tips, you can enjoy beautiful zinnias that will brighten up your garden or indoor space all season long!

Best Zinnia Garden Ideas

Zinnias are a beautiful and versatile flower that can add a pop of color and texture to any garden. Here are 11 zinnia garden ideas to inspire your next gardening project!

1. Monochromatic Zinnia Garden Ideas

Create a garden bed filled with different shades of one color of zinnias, such as pink, red, or orange is an awesome way to start your own monochromatic zinnia flower bed. This creates a cohesive and striking color scheme!

2. Rainbow Garden Ideas

Try using a mix of different colored zinnias to create a rainbow garden idea. This is a fun and playful way to add color to your yard all summer long.

3. Zinnias in Containers

Plant zinnias in pots of different sizes and colors to create a vibrant container garden. This is a great option for small spaces or balconies. Check out our post on small backyard ideas that will transform your outdoor space! We show you cute potted zinnia garden ideas you will love!

4. Cottage Garden Ideas

Zinnias fit perfectly in a cottage garden with their bright colors and informal look. A cottage garden design is all about having a large variety of different textured flowers and flower heights.

COTTAGE STYLE PLANTS TO PLANT WITH ZINNIAS:

• Catmint
• Hollyhocks
• Peonies
• Phlox
• Daisies
• Foxgloves
• Ammi

5. Cutting Garden Design

Plant zinnias in rows in a dedicated cutting garden, so you always have fresh blooms to bring inside. They make beautiful bouquets on their own or paired with other flowers.

ADD THESE FLOWERS TO YOUR CUTTING GARDEN:

• Sunflowers
• Ageratums
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Echinacea
• Zinnias
• Black eyed susan
• Peonies
• Roses
• Aster
• Dahlia

Add any of these flowers in addition to your zinnias to start your own small cut flower garden.

6. Butterfly Garden Ideas

Zinnias are a favorite of butterflies and other pollinators. Plant them in a butterfly garden with other nectar-rich flowers to attract these beautiful creatures to your yard.

BEST PLANTS FOR A BUTTERFLY GARDEN BED IDEAS:

• Sunflowers
• Black-eyed susans
• Marigolds
• Day lilies
• African daises
• Petunias
• Zinnias
• Violets
• Sage
• Wild White Indigo
• Aster

GET THE LOOK

Start your very own butterfly garden with this butterfly garden seed mix! These flowers will bloom into your dream garden that will attract the most beautiful pollinators!

7. Edible Garden

Zinnias are edible and add a fun pop of color to salads and other dishes. Plant them in a vegetable garden or herb garden for both beauty and function. You can also add zinnias as a cute pop of color in your summer alcoholic beverage or mocktail.

8. Border Zinnia Garden

Use zinnias to create a colorful border along a walkway or fence. They add height and texture and are a great option for creating a natural-looking border. Start a zinnia garden bed along your fence this summer!

9. Low-Maintenance Garden Ideas

Zinnias are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance. Plant them in a low-maintenance garden with other hardy plants like succulents and ornamental grasses.

10. Wildflower Garden Idea

Create a wildflower meadow with zinnias and other wildflowers like coneflowers and black-eyed Susans. This creates a natural and informal look. You can buy a variety of wildflower seeds for a decent price on Amazon, Lowe’s, or Home Depot.

GET THE LOOK ON A BUDGET

11. Children’s Garden

Zinnias are a great choice for a children’s garden with their bright colors and easy-to-grow nature. Plant them with other fun plants like sunflowers and pumpkins for a whimsical and playful garden.

Types of Zinnia Flowers for Your Garden

There are many different types of zinnia flowers, each with its own unique characteristics. Here are some of the most popular types

1. Single-flowered zinnias: These zinnias have a single row of petals around a central disk. They come in a wide range of colors and are often used in cutting gardens.
2. Semi-double zinnias: These zinnias have two or three rows of petals around a central disk, giving them a fuller appearance than single-flowered zinnias.
3. Double-flowered zinnias: These zinnias have multiple rows of petals, creating a dense, round flower head. They come in a wide range of colors and are often used in borders and mass plantings.
4. Cactus zinnias: These zinnias have narrow, curled petals that give them a unique and striking appearance. They come in a range of colors, from bright pink to deep red.
5. Pompon zinnias: These zinnias have small, round flowers with tightly packed petals. They come in a range of colors and are often used in borders and mass plantings.
6. Giant zinnias: These zinnias have large, showy flowers that can be up to six inches in diameter. They come in a range of colors and are often used as a focal point in the garden.
7. Lilliput zinnias: These zinnias have small, double flowers that resemble pompons. They come in a range of colors and are often used in containers and borders.
8. Persian carpet zinnias: These zinnias have small, daisy-like flowers that come in a range of colors. They are often used in rock gardens and other small spaces.
9. Envy zinnias: These zinnias have unique lime-green flowers that are sure to make a statement in any garden.

These are just a few examples of the many types of zinnias available. With so many colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from, there is a zinnia for every garden and every gardener’s taste.

This post was all about the best zinnia garden ideas.

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