Zinnia hybrida Profusion Mixed

The 'Profusion Mixed' Zinnias, as their name suggests, are three small but well-branched and particularly floriferous hybrid varieties. Their flowers are brightly coloured, ranging from white, pink, to orange depending on the plants. These small plants, grown as annuals, flower continuously from July until mid-October. Easy to grow, heat-resistant, and floribundant, they are essential flowers in a flowerbed for bees, a flowery meadow, or a garden that welcomes nature.

The approximately 20 species that make up the Zinnia genus originate from dry prairies in an area stretching from southwestern North America to South America, but mostly from Mexico. They are mostly heat-loving annual plants and all belong to the Asteraceae family.

The 'Profusion Mixed' selection won the All America Selections (AAS) for its outstanding performance in the garden. Each plant forms a small, rounded, and well-branched clump in just a few months, occupying an average of 40cm (16in) in all directions. The leaves, velvety and medium green, are narrow and sheathing at the base. The slender stems are often tinged with red near the ground. Their very long summer flowering is nectar-rich and honey-producing. The flowers appear in the axils of the leaves, forming semi-double heads, 4cm (2in) wide, composed of a double row of ligulate petals in pure white, pink, and bright orange, depending on the plants. The centre of the head is occupied by tiny fertile florets in a bright yellow color, darkening as they ripen.

Highly appreciated for their robustness, vibrant colours, and ease of cultivation, Zinnias are a reliable choice in the garden. Versatile, they can be placed in borders, flowerbeds, or even in the vegetable garden, between rows of vegetables. Zinnias thrive in the sun and withstand high temperatures, as long as they are watered a little. They perform best in neutral, rich, and well-drained soil. Although not demanding, they can still grow in average garden soil. They can easily be combined with perennials such as pink Rudbeckias or with other annuals like Coreopsis or Ammi visnaga. They can also be sown in pots to decorate the terrace in summer. This cheerful 'Profusion Mixed' selection goes well with Gaillardias, Nigellas, perennial or annual flax, Californian poppies, snapdragons, and wallflowers, all of which are equally easy to grow in light soil.