Magellans also fade once they age...

Oh...thank you for mentioning that, they are definitely off my list, then!!

I grew Zahara double rose zinnia from seed last year. In all my photos,the color is similar to 'uproar rose'. Like most zinnias that I've grown, I have to keep them dead headed.
The 'Dreamland' series of zinnia blooms early from seed,the pink color is more of a rose. I think these required the least am't of dead heading and were always loaded with blooms. Short stems...not a cut flower.

You might look into something like a 'sun impatien' in magenta or rose. I think I saw some in the Park's catalog and perhaps they will be at your local nursery.

I grew Zahara double rose last year too. It faded very nearly as much as the Rose Profusion. The color was also very close to Profusion.

Have you ever grown any hot pink vincas? They are very bright, the blooms are large, long lasting, and do not fade. They like very hot temps and tolerate humidity better than any flower I know.

FYI, I am growing Uproar Rose this year based on your recommendation last year. Thanks!

I tried 'Liliput' zinnias the last two years and was happy with them. Two feet tall in mostly pink shades but nothing like my 'Uproar Rose'. Can't recall how long the flowers lasted.

If folks haven't tried 'Uproar Rose' it is a must. A staple in my yard for several years.

'Uproar Rose' in front of a 10' tall Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Green Arrow' and again behind. Unfortunately, no pic of the 'Liliputs'.

{{gwi:1222}}

tj

I've actually been debating between zinnia and vinca. I quite like vinca, they grow well for me, they're carefree, foliage always looks good, and never need deadheading. I usually grow from seed, so I'm going to have to decide before I put my seed order in for the year :0)

mxk3,

"I've actually been debating between zinnia and vinca."

There are many varieties of Vincas available, but it is kind of a turn-off for me that there aren't any yellow or orange ones.

Zinnia Dreamland has a rose color that might be to your liking. Or you might prefer Dreamland Red, which is a cool color compared to Dreamland's warm scarlet color.

However, you have already taken Magellan off of your list based on the comment that they "also fade once they age." Each zinnia bloom develops over a period of weeks, and eventually all zinnia blooms do age and fade, unless you deadhead them. Vinca blooms are short-lived and I guess they just drop off before they have time to age, with no deadheading required (although they may be setting seeds).

I like zinnias myself, but vincas might fit your preferences better and all you need to do is select a vinca color that suits you. Hazzards has an even wider selection of Vinca.

ZM
(not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

Personally, for short, multi-branched zinnias, I love the Magellan variety. The Magellan's I have planted eventually are just the color of the flower, the blooms take over the plant and you barely see a green leaf peaking out amongst the blooms. Sure, you have to dead head once in a while, but they are zinnias after all! For tall cutting zinnias, my favorite is the good, old fashioned, State Fair.

Other favorite zinnias include the Mexican Zinnia, Jazzy, and the single flower zinnias, Starbright, Pinwheel, and Raspberry Lemonade.