nrique,

There are still a lot of single or nearly single flowered zinnias being sold. For the most part they are considered as "throw backs", but several strains are mainly not fully double. Ironically, a recent All-America winner, Zowie zinnia, was not fully double, so a lot of people share your taste in zinnias. Many double strains have become semi-double in field-grown conditions, such as Zinnia Whirligig.

But most packages of zinnia seed contain at least some semi-double specimens, even if they don't appear in the pictures. My personal preference is for fully double zinnias with a more open flower structure. I like for the petals to point in all directions, with a lot of open space in between. Some asters and spider chrysanthemums have flower forms like that. As an amateur zinnia breeder, I am working toward that goal, among others.

MM

Thanks MM,

I liked both of your suggestions (in fact, I ordered both). After looking around on the internet, its really amazing how many forms already exist (let alone what will probably exist 10 years from now)

-E

I like to grow Benary's Giant mix. To me, they are the "classic" zinnia. I have 33 right now growing singly in pots. Planning to put them in the garden soon. What do you think: should I pinch them, or not?

Shapiro,

Benary's Giants aren't meant to be pinched, because they are bred to be upright cut flowers with a strong, long central stem. As I mentioned in the other message thread, you certainly could pinch if landscaping rather than cut flowers was your intended use.

MM

I too prefer the single varieties or ones with just 2 or 3 rows of petals. My favorite "series" are 'Profusion' and 'Pinwheel', and the variety called 'Chippendale Daisy'. I like the looks of the 'Aztec Sunset' too although those have tons of petals.

I love growing Zinnias every year because they're so pretty, SO easy to grow and the birds & insects love them. And they aren't fussy.

This year I found some pale pink Pinwheels (seed packet) so I'm going to plant those this week.

I just wish Zinnias would reseed themselves a little here! :)