“JUST SO CUTE! WOW, WOW WOW!” When multiple judges write comments like that, it’s no surprise that it’s a Gold Medal Winner! Introducing…a beautiful new bicolor addition to the popular Profusion series of zinnias. This gorgeous zinnia starts the season with a bold vibrant red center ring surrounded by golden-yellow outer petals. As the season progresses, the aging flowers morph into soft, beautiful shades of apricot, salmon, and dusty rose to bring a plethora of color to the garden, all from one variety! Trial garden visitors clamored over this floriferous and compact plant during the summer trials noting how well the plant continued to bloom new flowers over old so there was never a decline in the beauty presented by Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor.
Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor is also the recipient of the Fleuroselect Gold Medal award for performance in European trials.
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Sow seed indoors under lights or in a greenhouse and use bottom heat to promote uniform emergence. Select a well-drained media and target a temperature of 75°F/24°C. Moisten the media prior to sowing and then sow the seed. Afterward, apply a light cover of medium-sized vermiculite. Do not water in the seedlings following sowing or the day after sowing (keep the vermiculite dry). Then, water as needed to maintain uniform moisture. Seeds germinate in about one week. Seedlings may be transplanted into 4-inch/10 cm. pots or cell packs about 3 weeks after sowing or when roots fill the starter cell. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost is past and the weather is warm and settled. Zinnia Profusion will ultimately grow up to 14 inches/35 cm. tall and 15 inches/40 cm. wide. However, in cooler northern climates, with a shorter growing season, the plants often are smaller. The Profusion series is highly disease tolerant, but poorly drained soil or overwatering induces root disease. You can enjoy pretty flowers from summer to autumn.
“Started as an exceptional red and yellow bicolor, with very good garden performance and plant habit. It would have received my approval as a winner, but then the faded blooms turned rosy, and it knocked my socks off (well, sandals because it was too hot for socks)! Thank you for being a bright spot in 2020.”
“The entry is one of the most interesting zinnia varieties I’ve come across. I really like the mixture of colors as the flowers age and fade.”
“Unique reverse fading pattern cycled the flower color from bright yellow with a sharp, broad red ring, to soft apricot, then light orange, then dusty cherry rose, to deep rose to deep russet red.”
“The color of the bloom transitioning with age was an interesting feature. the habit was compact and manageable. The plant covered old flowers well.”
“I dread pulling this one out of the garden because I loved it so! Three different effects based on flower age.”
Melinda Myers –
This is a great review of Zinnia Profusion Red Yellow Bicolor https://www.melindamyers.com/audio-video/melindas-garden-moment-audio-tips/flowers-ornamental-grasses/aas-2021-gold-medal-winner-profusion-red-yellow-bicolor-zinnia
Susan Mulvihill –
I’ve been a zinnia lover for many decades and I am a huge fan of the Profusion series of zinnias. The Red Yellow Bicolor is bright and cheerful, the flowers attract pollinators to my garden, and they last a very long time, which means minimal deadheading. I love their more mounded growth habit because you can tuck them just about anywhere. https://www.susansinthegarden.com/
George Weigel –
I also have long stuck with Profusion zinnias (and Zahara and Holi) because they stand out for their mildew-resistance. Red Yellow Bicolor is a worthy addition to the Profusion series. Besides excellent disease-resistance, it brings a bicolor option, blooms all summer non-stop, starts easily from seed, and like all zinnias, isn’t of interest to deer.
Jason Reeves –
These plants start the season with a profusion of vibrant, bicolor flowers with a red center and yellow outer petals. As they age, the bright 2” flowers darken to a beautiful mix of magenta, and soft golden petals adding variation and allure. Blooms were continuous with new blooms opening on top of the canopy of the aging blooms and requiring no deadheading. This mix of colors and continuous transition was stunning in the landscape. Growing 14” tall and 16-18” wide, these plants make a statement at the front of a garden bed.