Zinnia Zinderella Fizz

Zinnia ‘Zinderella Fizz’ Seeds

(Scabiosa-Flowered Zinnia — Zinderella Series)

Zinderella Fizz belongs to the Zinderella series, a distinctive group of scabiosa-flowered Zinnia elegans varieties, and recognized internationally by Fleuroselect, the European seed industry’s independent quality and innovation body. In 2024, Zinderella Fizz was awarded the Fleuroselect Approved Novelty designation — a recognition reserved for varieties that demonstrate outstanding ornamental value and consistent performance across international trial gardens. The name Fizz captures the effervescent energy of its blooms: layered, fringed petals that bubble outward from a deep contrasting center in a continuous fizzing display of color.

The flowers are bi-colored in strawberry-red and white, with red petals tipped in white and a deep dark red central eye that creates a vivid color contrast. The bloom form is scabiosa-type, meaning the flower carries a domed, cushion-like double center surrounded by a single outer ring of guard petals — a form entirely distinct from the flat-petalled dahlia or pompom zinnias commonly seen in gardens. Blooms measure up to 6 cm across and are borne singly at the tip of each stem, making them ideal cut flowers with a typical vase life of seven days or more.

Plants are dense, upright, and well-branched, reaching 60 to 75 cm in height. An important characteristic to note is that not every flower will be fully double — some single or semi-double blooms appear naturally, particularly early in the season. As temperatures moderate and days shorten, the proportion of fully double scabiosa-type flowers increases significantly. This is especially relevant in Kuwait, where the finest blooms will appear from November onward as conditions cool.
Zinderella Fizz is an easy and rewarding plant to grow. It thrives in full sun and tolerates heat well, though it performs its ornamental best during mild weather. The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

Variety Details

• Botanical Name: Zinnia elegans
• Series: Zinderella
• Award: 2024 Fleuroselect Approved Novelty
• Flower Type: Scabiosa-type double
• Seed Type: Open pollinated
• Plant Type: Half-hardy annual

Key Features

• 2024 Fleuroselect Approved Novelty — independently verified garden performance
• Unique scabiosa-type double blooms not found in standard zinnia series
• Bicolor strawberry-red and white flowers with deep contrasting eye
• Strong upright stems reaching 60–75 cm, ideal for cutting
• Excellent vase life of 7+ days
• Heavy pollinator value — attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
• Heat-tolerant with best double-flower expression in cooler temperatures
• Deadheading prolongs flowering season significantly

Plant Information

• Height: 60–75 cm
• Spread: 35–40 cm
• Plant Type: Half-hardy annual
• Habit: Dense, upright, well-branched
• Flower Size: Up to 6 cm across
• Stem Length: 60–75 cm (suitable for cutting)

Germination Instructions

• Sow seeds 6 mm (¼ inch) deep in finely sieved, moist seed-starting compost.
• Seeds must be covered — light is not required for germination.
• Maintain a consistent temperature of 22°C for best results.
• Germination typically occurs within 5 to 10 days under optimal conditions.
• For indoor sowing, use cell trays or small pots and transplant once seedlings have developed two to three true leaves.
• Avoid disturbing roots during transplanting as zinnias are sensitive to root disturbance.

Growing Tips

• Plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil with good organic matter content.
• Generous spacing of 30–40 cm between plants is essential to allow air circulation, which reduces the risk of powdery mildew — the main fungal issue affecting zinnias in humid or still-air conditions.
• Water consistently at the base of the plant and avoid wetting the foliage.
• Pinch back young seedlings at 6–8 cm height to encourage branching and a bushy habit.
• Deadhead or cut flowers regularly once open — this is the most effective way to extend the flowering season.
• Apply a balanced organic fertilizer at planting and again at first bud formation.

Gulf Planting Season

• Indoor sowing (seed trays): September to mid-October
• Transplant outdoors: mid-October to November
• Direct sowing outdoors: October to November
• Peak flowering season: November to March
• Note: In Kuwait’s summer heat, direct sowing is not recommended before October.
• Zinderella Fizz produces its finest fully double scabiosa-type blooms as temperatures drop below 30°C — expect the best flower quality from November onward through the cool season.

Garden Uses

• Zinderella Fizz is an outstanding cut flower zinnia with a vase life exceeding seven days.
• Its tall, straight stems and distinctive globe-shaped blooms make it a standout addition to homegrown bouquets and floral arrangements.
• In the garden, it is best planted in groups or masses in borders, annual beds, and large containers where its upright habit and continuous bloom provide bold color through the Gulf cool season.
• The scabiosa-type flower form adds visual texture absent from standard flat-petalled zinnia varieties.
• It is also highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a valuable plant for any wildlife-friendly garden or urban pollinator patch.