If you love Zinnias but hate the Powdery Mildew that usually comes with them, you might want to try some of the new disease-resistant varieties. The Small World hybrids come with either deep cherry red or pink flowers. The plants grow 12-15 inches high and are excellent for flower beds and for cutting.
Star Zinnias are varieties of Mexican Zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia). They have smaller flowers (1-2 inches in diameter) and come in shades of white, gold and orange. The plants grow about 12 inches high and are wide spreading, perfect for edgings or pots. 'Crystal White' is another fine Mexican Zinnia with excellent disease resistance. It bears small white flowers on a compact, spreading plant.
Zinnias are easy to grow from seed or transplants. Plant in full sun and fertilize every 4-6 weeks. Water regularly but do so early in the morning so that the foliage can dry off by nightfall.