If you want a garden that is full of color but also brings in lots of pollinators then zinnias are a great choice. They’re some of the best flowers for attracting the likes of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.
Why are they so good? Well the nectar is easy to get to and come in loads of colors that the pollinators really love. But which are the best?
Well the following six zinnia varieties are excellent for pollinators. I’ll help you choose the right ones along with tips on how to grow them.
1. Benary’s Giant Mix
Why Pollinators Love It: This variety grows tall (up to 4 feet), meaning it’s easy for butterflies and bees to land on. It has a single flower which means pollinators can get to the nectar easily in the middle of the flower.
- Height: 3 to 4 feet tall
- Best For: Butterflies and bees
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and soil that drains well
- Watering: Water deeply once a week
- Care: Deadhead regularly as it will encourage it to flower continuously
2. Zinderella Series
Why Pollinators Love It: The Zinderella series, particularly the Zinderella Lilac and Peach varieties, have a semi double flower that gives simple access for pollinators to get to the nectar. They bloom a lot which means there’s always a god supply of the nectar butterflies and birds want. And they can find it all the way from summer through to the fall.
- Height: 2 to 3 feet tall
- Best For: Butterflies and bees
- Growing Conditions: Does best in full sun
- Watering: Water when the top inch of the soil is dry
- Care: Keep the soil moist for the best results, especially during hot periods
3. Cut and Come Again Mix
Why Pollinators Love It: This variety lives up to its name – once you cut a flower it quickly grows another. Having flowers growing all the time means pollinators can always get some nectar and you get to enjoy the beautiful blooms.
- Height: 2 feet tall
- Best For: Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Growing Conditions: Plant in a sunny spot to get the best results
- Watering: Water regularly
- Care: Harvest the flowers as it will encourage new growth and keep them blooming all season long
4. Purple Prince
Why Pollinators Love It: Purple is a favorite color for pollinators, especially bees. So unsurprisingly the ‘Purple Prince’ is very popular! It has large and lovely flowers that come in purple and means it’s super popular with bees, butterflies and other insects.
- Height: 3 feet tall
- Best For: Bees and butterflies
- Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun and well draining soil
- Watering: Deeply water once a week
- Care: Pinch back early as it will encourage more flowers
5. Lilliput Mix
Why Pollinators Love It: Lilliput zinnias are quite small but they’re still very effective at attracting pollinators. They have open blooms that make it easy for bees and butterflies to get to the nectar. They also grow well in smaller gardens or containers so give you some flexibility.
- Height: 1 to 2 feet tall
- Best For: Bees and butterflies
- Growing Conditions: Perfect for full sun and slightly moist soil
- Watering: Water every few days to keep the soil moist
- Care: Perfect for gardeners who don’t have much space but still want to attract pollinators
6. Profusion Series
Why Pollinators Love It: The Profusion variety is one of the toughest zinnias you can grow. They handle the heat and humidity well and their flowers are very open which is ideal for pollinators. The red variety of Profusion zinnias is especially popular with hummingbirds.
- Height: 1 to 2 feet tall
- Best For: Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Growing Conditions: Full sun and able to withstand drought when they’re established
- Watering: Water when you can feel the top inch of the soil is dry
- Care: Don’t need much in the way of care. Great for hot, dry climates
Tips for Growing Zinnias for Pollinators
To have the best chance of getting pollinators in your garden follow these tips for growing zinnias:
Choose Single or Semi Double Varieties
Single or semi double zinnias have open centers. This simply means that it’s easier for the birds or insects to get to the nectar.
Double flowered varieties look amazing but because of the way they flower it can sometimes make getting to the nectar tricky. The pollinators may not even see the nectar and so pass them by.
Plant a Variety of Colors
Different pollinators are attracted to different colors. Butterflies, for example, really like bright pinks, oranges and purples. Bees on the other hand like white, yellow, and purple flowers. So if you plant a variety or colors you have a Bette chance of getting lots of different insects and birds.
Provide Adequate Water
Pollinators, particularly bees, need water like anything else. More so in the heat.
So put out a shallow dish of water with stones in for them. The bees can land on the stones, have a drink and they’ll stay happy and stick around in your garden as well as being more likely to come back.
Zinnias are both easy to grow and also a good option when it comes to attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. If you choose the right varieties and give them what they need to grow well then you should be able to enjoy a garden that’s full of life all season.