All I can figure is that either tastes or the flower have changed beyond recognition, because zinnias are now a favorite of home gardeners. Zinnias belong to the Compositae family, which also provides you with daisies. The zinnia world is confusing, with more than a dozen species. Bedding zinnias are, as expected, short and bushy. They fill out nicely and you will frequently see them edging walkways and outlining gardens.
Cutters can sometimes reach three feet in height and have large, many-petaled heads.
Some types, such as the Blue Point Mix, resemble dahlias, while others have the quilled rays of a cactus. My personal favorite is Candy Cane. Daisy-likes are shorter, generally about a foot to 18 inches tall and have the flat petaled faces of, well, daisies. In northern climates like ours, zinnias do best in full sun and a soil that drains well. When transplanting, handle gently, as this tap-rooted flower does not take easily to being moved out into the garden.