Zinnias attract butterflies and bees
by Christine Yesko
Zinnia flowers are a must-plant annual for the butterfly garden and a favorite flower of monarchs, swallowtails, and those hyper-winged hummingbirds. Although there are hundreds of zinnia selections in all shapes, sizes, and colors, there is no single answer as to which zinnia is the best for attracting visitors.
As far as color is concerned, white, scarlet, pink, and gold forms were mixed in rows or patches, making no difference as to which butterflies visited. White was the most visited by all butterflies but ignored by monarchs, in favor of the scarlet color.
Although honey bees and bumble bees are attracted to zinnia flowers, many kinds of solitary bees are also. The disk flowers are so small, relative to the overall size of the entire flower head, that small species of bees may be collecting nectar and pollen but they are easily overlooked. When bees work they take no interest in their surroundings. Some of the larger forms, such as bumble bees and carpenter bees, are so engrossed in their work you can even pet them but is not advised, as they take offense at being handled.
Among birds attracted to zinnias are the humming sorts, which feed on nectar, and finches that feed on the dried seed heads. The sphinx moth resembles a hummingbird, based on its incredibly fast wing beat and ability to hover. These moths have elongated mouthparts, by which they obtain nectar without landing on a flower. Because there is little in the way, wildlife actually feeds on zinnia’s foliage or flowers, grasshoppers are attracted to the nectar and pollen.
Although pollinating visitors may, themselves, attract predators such as spiders and praying mantids, in general, are free of pitched, food-induced battles, and so they serve as beautiful dinner plates for birds, bees, and butterflies. Stay cool.
