There are more than a dozen species of zinnias. Members of the daisy family, only three species are regularly grown in home gardens. All three are annuals that bloom from early summer through the first frosts of autumn. Zinnias grow best in full sun. They prefer soil that drains well, whether they're planted in the ground or in containers. They will grow in just about any type of soil and look great on their own or planted with other annuals. Not many flowers are as wonderful for cutting and arranging as the zinnia. Zinnias have been referred to as "cut and come again" flowers. Cut one flower stem above a pair of leaves and, within days two new stems with flower buds will have taken its place. Zinnias will usually last a week in an arrangement before looking "tired." Cut flowers early in the morning before the hot sun gets a chance to wilt the leaves. Select buds that haven't fully opened so that when 

arranged they will continue to bloom.

History note:

The Spainiards who first saw the

zinnia thought it was so ugly that they 

named it "mal de ojos" which meant sickness 

of the eye!

Taken from the National Gardenn Bureau