Zowie Yellow Flame, Scarlet Flame, State Fair, Cut & Come Again.
Angie

I grew Uproar Rose and Purple Prince together last year and saved seed from them to plant this year. We've had a dismal summer for butterflies, so I can't tell you how well they attract them, but the bumble bees and honey bees certainly enjoy them. I'm saving seed again, and I'm focusing on the blossoms that have a nice large center for landing with lots of the yellow pollen/nectar producing parts. I'd be glad to share. I also love the smaller, bushy plants like the Profusion and Zaharah series, and I have those in white and deep pink.

Are you close to Grand Rapids? We could save on postage! Let me know.

Martha

Thanks, I'm on the other side of the state, but I appreciate the offer, and the info. I think i'll grow my 'Giant Enchantress' and the 'Uproar Rose' and an even shorter one. I was looking at the Magellan series to try. Hopefully I'll have butterflies again next year and can study their preferences.

I grew uproar rose, state fair, benary's giant (mix) and a Magellan mix. Both the hummers and butterflies used them but my large African marigolds were by far the favorite of the butterflies. That being said the zinnias were not in full bloom at the peak of my butterfly season.

SCG

SCG - What exactly are the African Marigolds? Did you buy them or grow them from seed? I just Googled it, but got a very mixed bag of results, and I haven't heard of these before.

I grew all mine from seed. I have Moonsong, Vanilla and crackerjack. They, like Uproar rose zinnia, are F1 hybrids so seeds may not grow true.

SCG

Here is a link that might be useful: African Marigolds

Thanks, SCG - appreciate the additional info and link!

I better clarify. F1 hybrids may not grow true from collected seed.

There is a thread on the perennials forum where somebody posted a study showing that the Lilliput Zinnias attracted the most butterflies. I will have to give them a try, although I don't care for the fully double pom-pom type flowers.

Anyway, every year I grow a swath of the tall cultivars of Zinnia elegans like Cut & Come again, State Fair, California Giants, and Scarlet Flame. They are largely single and semi-double flowers, which supposedly the butterflies prefer because the they have a cone in the middle to hang onto, and easy access to the nectar tubes. But I have heard people say they like the Magellan and Benary Giants too.

Very easy to direct sow once the soil warms up and they grow fast. I grow them in a slightly different spot each year, to prevent mildew and fungus.

The bees and hummers also love them!

See the thread below for some of my pics and others.

Here is a link that might be useful: Butterflies on.... Zinnias

Tithonia obtusafolia is another great nectar plant for those hot Summer months. Monarchs flock to them in the Fall, as well as Hummingbirds, Hummer Moths (White Lined and Clearwing), BSTs, Painted and American Ladies, Buckeyes and Skippers.
They do need deadheading for best bloom, but it reseeds readily as an annual in milder regions.

Terrene - Loved the link with all the pictures, and great to know you've done well with direct sowing. I'm going to try that with at least some in 2014.

Leafhead - I hadn't heard of Tithonia until late this summer. A local greenhouse sold plants this year, so hopefully they will next year too. I may try some seeds as well.