Zinnia elegans Queen Lime with Blotch seeds

Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lime with Blotch' is a variety of large Zinnia with an innovative colour scheme. Its dahlia-like, double or semi-double flowers in round pompoms, are composed of multiple yellow-green chartreuse petals, tinged with pink, around a pink to purple centre. They are borne by tall, sturdy stems, durable in the garden as well as in a vase. This annual blooms from June-July until the first frosts, depending on the sowing date.

Zinnia elegans is a robust annual belonging to the asteraceae family, native to Mexico, giving rise to numerous cultivars. 'Queen Lime with Blotch' was selected for the unique colour of its heads. The plant forms a well-branched clump, averaging 90 cm in height by 30 cm in width. Its hollow but sturdy stems are adorned with rough and fuzzy, lanceolate to elliptical, medium green leaves. Flowering occurs from June-July to September-October, and it is nectar-rich and honey-producing. The flowers appear in the axils of the leaves, they are very double heads, in the shape of round pompoms, 5 to 9 cm wide, composed of numerous ligulate petals with a spatulate shape, more or less tubular, reminiscent of the flowers of certain dahlias. Their colour ranges from yellow-green to chartreuse green or lime green, surrounding a pink-purple centre.

Zinnias are appreciated for their robustness, vibrant colours, and ease of cultivation, qualities that make them essential in the garden. These plants thrive in full sun and tolerate heat well, provided they are watered occasionally. They develop best in neutral, rich, well-drained soil, but also tolerate ordinary garden soil. Zinnias pair well with perennials like Pink Rudbeckias and Baptisias, as well as with other annuals such as Moroccan linarias, Coreopsis, or Ammi visnaga. Pair the large 'Queen Lime with Blotch' with grasses like Pennisetums, tall annuals like Cleomes or Snapdragons. They can also be sown in pots to enhance terraces during the summer. Attracting bees and butterflies with their nectar, these plants promote biodiversity in the garden.