Zinnia (Benary Giant)

📖 About This Plant

Zinnia (Benary Giant) is the gold standard for cut-flower zinnias — a tall, large-flowered series producing fully double, 4–5 inch blooms on sturdy 30–36 inch stems in a brilliant, heat-defying color range spanning red, orange, yellow, pink, coral, salmon, purple, white, and lime green. Growing as fast-maturing annuals in zones 3–11, Benary Giants thrive in heat and humidity, resisting the powdery mildew that plagues other zinnia varieties. They bloom 60 days from seed and continue until hard frost, producing more flowers the more frequently you cut them. Professional cut flower growers consider Benary Giant the benchmark zinnia for vase life, stem length, and flower size — exceptional for both garden display and cutting.

📊 Quick Facts

📅 When to Plant in Your Area

🌱 Care Tips

Direct sow Benary Giant zinnia after last frost in warm soil, or start indoors 4–6 weeks early (in individual pots to minimize root disturbance at transplanting). Space 12–18 inches apart in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil. Water deeply at the base — overhead watering accelerates powdery mildew, the primary zinnia problem. Fertilize every 3–4 weeks. Pinch growing tips at 6 inches to encourage more branching and more cutting stems. For cut flowers, harvest when blooms are 3/4 open in the morning; they last 7–10 days in a vase. Deadhead or cut flowers relentlessly — even one mature seed head signals the plant to slow production. In humid climates, improve air circulation with adequate spacing and choose mildew-resistant varieties like Benary Giant over older open-pollinated types.

🤝 Companion Plants

These plants grow well alongside Zinnia:

🌿 Related Flower

More flower that grow in similar conditions:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions