Zinnia elegans Citro Mix seeds

Zinnia elegans 'Citro Mix' is a multicoloured blend of dahlia-flowered Zinnias. This annual, sown in spring, produces young plants that yield erect stems topped with very double, graceful pom-pom flowers throughout summer and into early autumn. In white, yellow, and orange shades, they brighten up borders and make very pretty bouquets for the home, both fresh and dried. This easy-to-grow plant requires little maintenance and thrives in sunny, well-drained soils. Sow the seeds in a seed tray with bottom heat from March onwards, or directly in the ground after the last frosts.

Zinnia belongs to the vast Asteraceae family, the second-largest in terms of species (over 23,000) after orchids. It includes both wildflowers from the countryside (dandelions, daisies...) and numerous ornamental plants (Gazanias, Asters...), easily recognisable by their inflorescences. These are composed of central, fertile tubular flowers (resembling the centre of a single flower), surrounded by sterile peripheral flowers, often mistaken for petals. These inflorescences, or flower heads, mistakenly taken for single flowers, explain the former name of the family, Compositae.
The Zinnia genus includes 20 species of annual and perennial plants, including Zinnia elegans, which is native to Mexico. It is frost-sensitive and therefore grown as an annual in our climate. Breeders have developed many horticultural varieties, including this Citro Mix blend. The seeds produce branched young plants that begin flowering in June-July and bloom until October, ensuring many months of colour. Each plant forms a branched clump that reaches about 75 cm in height and 30 cm in width within a few weeks. The medium to dark green foliage consists of ovoid leaves with pointed tips. These sessile (lacking a petiole) leaves are opposite and decussate, meaning they are inserted opposite each other, with each rank offset by 90 degrees from the previous one. They are downy, inserted on hollow, moderately brittle stems. Flowering, which begins 10 to 13 weeks after sowing, produces superb white, light yellow, bright yellow, and orange flowers (inflorescences). They are very double, with a pom-pom form like some Dahlias, giving them incredible charm. Measuring approximately 6 cm in diameter, they are beautifully highlighted by the darker vegetation. Renewing themselves week after week, especially if spent flowers are removed, they bring joy to the garden and make very pretty bouquets, fresh or even dried, to decorate the home even after the growing season.

The seeds of Zinnia 'Citro Mix' will provide a superb result with little cost and effort. Easy to grow even in poor soils, Zinnias thrive even in stony ground and under scorching sun. Pair them with other annuals with similar needs, such as Verbena bonariensis, whose narrow leaves and purple flower colour will provide a pleasing contrast. It is also a good cut flower to accompany your Zinnia in bouquets. Globe amaranth 'Purple' will also be a good companion, with its small purple pom-poms from July to September. Cosmos, with their finely cut foliage and varied colours, will complete your summer display.