US: ‘Queen Lime Orange’ zinnia available through Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Johnny’s was one of the growers who trialed ‘Queen Lime Orange’ during the AAS selection process. “Although one of the most important flower crops for farmers and gardeners, innovations in zinnia are rare,” says Hillary Alger, Flowers and Herbs Product Manager at Johnny’s. “So, when we received the trial seeds from AAS, we were quite excited to get them in the ground,” she explains.
Alger says that “from the first bloom, we were convinced it would be an AAS winner.” She notes that the apricot color palette is highly sought after by cut-flower growers, floral designers, and gardeners and that the plants are very productive. “I believe growers will be thrilled to have this innovative variety in their 2018 planting plans,” she says.
A native of the Americas, zinnias are relatively heat and drought tolerant. Johnny’s trials all the zinnia varieties it offers for sale, selecting for vibrant color, sturdy stems, vigor, yield, quality, disease resistance, and vase life.
Bred by Hugo Dittmar of Samen und Pflanzen in Switzerland, this new cultivar is known as ‘Queeny Lime Orange’ in Europe. It is one of a trio of zinnias, including ‘Queen Lime with Blush’ and ‘Queen Red Lime,’ celebrated for their distinctive appearance as well as their practical nature: the trio offers prolific blooms on a sturdy, compact plant, and a long vase life.
The AAS judges reported that Queen Lime Orange was a “showstopper in the trials” and a “WOW color in an easy-to-grow zinnia,” providing a “wonderful hue for today’s floral trends.”
For more information:
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
877-564-6697
www.johnnyseeds.com