Zinnia x elegans Queen Lime Bicolors Mix - Zinnia à fleurs de dahlia Queen Lime Bicolors Mix, Zinnia élégant, Zinnia commun, Zinnia des jardins

The Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lime Bicolors Mix' is a blend of elegant Zinnia varieties from the same range, featuring the unique characteristic of producing bicoloured flowers with a more or less pronounced lime green touch, a very original and attractive 'lime' colouration. Sowing under warmth from March produces young plants that begin flowering from June-July. Their varied colours are beautifully highlighted by the foliage of a rich, intense medium green, creating a very aesthetic overall harmony. Perfect for flowering a bed, this mix will also provide you with beautiful stems ideal for creating colourful cut flowers for indoors.

Zinnia elegans, the species from which this horticultural mix is derived, is native to Mexico, an origin that explains its tolerance of heat and sensitivity to frost. This species belongs to the vast Asteraceae family which includes over 23,000 known species encompassing both wild plants (Thistles, Cornflowers) and aromatic species (Mugworts) or prized ornamentals like Chrysanthemums or Dahlias. In the Asteraceae, what is taken for a 'flower' is in reality a complex inflorescence consisting of a centre of tiny fertile flowers and a crown of peripheral, often sterile flowers which mimic petals. This morphological particularity typical of this family once called 'Compositae' for this reason, contributes to the beauty and density of Zinnia flowers.
The seeds of 'Queen Lime Bicolors Mix' germinate to produce young plants that quickly develop a dense, ramified clump which can reach up to 80-90 cm in height and about 30-35 cm in width. The bright, fairly luminous, pure green leaves are opposite (facing each other relative to the stem axis) and arranged in a decussate manner (crossed at 90° from one level to the next), giving a balanced appearance to the whole. Ovate in shape, they end in a point and are borne directly on the stem without a petiole (they are said to be sessile). The lamina is slightly downy, which adds a velvety aspect to the plant. The hollow and moderately brittle stems support the large flowers without difficulty even in wind or moderate rain, making Zinnia particularly suited to open, sunny areas. This mix contains semi-double to double bicoloured varieties whose centre (the tubular flowers) is purple to dark red, while the peripheral florets (ligulate flowers) gradually shift from lime to yellow, pinkish or apricot. These heads of about 7 cm in diameter stand out well visually against the green vegetation while playing more on overall harmony than contrast due to the presence of the lime green colour. By regularly removing faded flowers, you will encourage flowering which will extend until the first frosts, thus adding colour to your beds.

The Zinnia 'Queen Lime Bicolors Mix' is ideal for structuring a bed, dressing borders, or filling containers on a sunny patio. To create harmonious and colourful displays, it can be paired with annuals with similar requirements. Among the best companions is Cosmos bipinnatus, whose finely cut foliage and varied flower colours enhance the visual diversity of the bed. You can also combine them with full-sun, drought-resistant perennials, playing on complementary foliage or flowering. Nepeta faassenii (Catmint), with its lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage, harmonises perfectly with the warmer palette of Zinnias, and, like it, attracts pollinators, thus promoting biodiversity in the garden. In the same vein, Lavender 'Hidcote' will also be a perfect companion. Another charming Asteraceae, Echinacea purpurea 'Leuchtstern' lives up to its German name 'bright star' with its very large lilac-pink flowers with a brown-orange centre that will harmonise well with the range of hues in your Zinnia mix.