Zinnia Elegans Queen Lime Red

Exotic-looking outer petals that fade from pale red to lime green encircling a deep maroon centre. A cut flower par excellence, 'Queen Red Lime' is a lovely double-flowering tender plant that is also a hit with pollinating insects taking advantage of its tall, sturdy stems. Zinnias thrive in hot, dry conditions, so grow them in well-drained soil in a sunny border or in suitably large containers for a dazzling summer display. Growing instructions: For early flowers, sow under glass in early spring. Fill a seed tray or pot with good quality compost and space the seeds at 2.5cm intervals and just cover with a sprinkling of compost. Water moderately and when the seedlings are large enough to handle pot on and harden off before planting outside. Alternatively sow thinly outside in a sunny bed after all risk of frost has passed. Thin to 25cm as they grow on. Sowing several batches with a couple of weeks in between each will ensure the flowering period stretches from early summer to the first frosts. Sow: March to June Flowering: June to September