‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ Mix Zinnia Seeds

Days to Maturity: 75 to 90

The varieties in the ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ Mix Zinnia are hardy annuals offering summer through fall interest, typically blooming until first frost. Blooming profusely, this modern, multicolored mix presents small, individually detailed, double flowers in a harmonious blend of rich, earthy colors, including buttercream, gold, cranberry, rust, and merlot. Borne singly on long, elegant stems, the bicolor blooms, rich with nectar and pollen, attract butterflies, birds, and hummingbirds. Excellent cut flowers, they make chic kitchen table bouquets and lovely additions to floral arrangements.

The Zinnia haageana cultivars in the ‘Aztec Sunset Improved’ Mix, also known as Mexican zinnia, have a compact, bushy, upright habit of small narrow leaves and a fast growth rate. The petite plants are ideal for patio pots or for front of the border.

Extremely easy to grow from seed, zinnia prefer full sun and rich, organic, well-drained loam or soil, raked to a fine tilth. Although zinnias are low maintenance, pinching young plants promotes a more compact, bushier plant, and deadheading spent flowers keeps zinnias blooming. Zinnia haageana are more tolerant of hot, dry conditions and winds and tend to hold up better in summer than common zinnia (Z.elegans). They are also black walnut, deer, and powdery mildew resistant.

Direct sow zinnia seed after the last frost date, once the soil has warmed, or start seeds indoors, acclimatize sprouts outdoors for 10 to 15 days, and transplant seedlings carefully when they are very young, after all threat of frost has passed. Good air circulation is vital for best performance, so provide generous spacing. Succession planting every week or so for several weeks extends the flowering period.