Both plants reach about two feet tall on stiff stems. Its narrow leaves are evergreen, creating a good ground cover. It prefers well-drained soil that is low in organic content. Plains zinnia, with a similar growth habit, has yellow flowers. It is more tolerant of cold, but it can be difficult to establish.
Some zinnias are more attractive to butterflies than others.
I interviewed some gardeners from around the country to find out which varieties worked best for them. Surprisingly, single-flowered, species zinnias aren't the uncontested favorites. In eastern Washington, where summers are hot and dry, Patti Ensor found Peruvian zinnias to be only moderately attractive to small butterflies, such as skippers. According to Ensor, they don't hold a candle to the large double 'Cut and Come Again'. Cut and Come Again' blooms from midsummer to frost, in hot shades of pink, yellow, orange, and scarlet.