Heirloom

Benary's Giant Carmine Rose

Zinnia elegans

Benary's Giant Carmine Rose is a stunning heirloom zinnia prized for its large, fully double flowers in rich carmine-rose tones. The robust plants mature in 75-90 days and reach substantial height, producing abundant blooms on sturdy stems ideal for cutting. This variety is renowned for its vigorous growth in full sun and well-drained soil, delivering prolific flowering with minimal fuss, making it a standout choice for borders and arrangements.

Harvest

75-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Benary's Giant Carmine Rose in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Carmine Rose · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil enriched with compost; pH not critical

WaterRegular; 1-1.5 inches per week including rainfall

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorCarmine rose

Size4-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

Direct sow every 2-3 weeks from April through June in zone 7, stopping once daytime highs are consistently above 90°F — not because zinnias can't handle heat, but because seeds germinate poorly above that threshold and transplants started in the cool of spring will outperform late sowings anyway. For a continuous cut-flower supply, stagger 3-4 small batches rather than one big planting; each batch hits peak bloom at 75-90 days and then slows as the season cools. Indoor starts in February or March give you a jump of 4-6 weeks on the first flush.

Complete Growing Guide

Recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. High yields of long, sturdy stems with 4-6" fully double, dahlia-like blooms. Excellent vase life. Vigorous plants hold up well in summer heat and rain. Low susceptibility to powdery mildew. Cut-and-come-again flower, yielding multiple cuts over the season. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Benary's Giant Carmine Rose is 75 - 90 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Benary's Giant Carmine Rose reaches harvest at 75 - 90 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 4-6" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

Type: Achene.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut Benary's Giant Carmine Rose stems perform exceptionally in the vase—the primary use for this variety. Immediately place cut stems in cool water with floral preservative (or homemade mix: 1 Tbsp sugar + 1/4 tsp bleach per quart). Keep arrangements in a cool location (65-72°F), away from ripening fruit and direct sun. Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems 1/2 inch. Vase life typically runs 10-14 days.

For preservation, air-dry blooms in a dark, warm, well-ventilated space (70-75°F, low humidity) for 2-3 weeks. Hang stems upside down in small bunches; once fully dried, blooms retain form and color for months in a cool, dry place—ideal for dried arrangements. Alternatively, press individual petals between paper towels under weight for 1-2 weeks to create botanical art or potpourri.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Carmine Rose is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Mexico

Advantages

+Produces long, sturdy stems ideal for professional cut flower arrangements
+Fully double dahlia-like blooms reach impressive 4-6 inches in diameter
+Excellent vase life extends enjoyment and commercial marketability significantly
+Vigorous plants naturally resist powdery mildew and tolerate summer heat
+Cut-and-come-again harvesting yields multiple flushes throughout growing season

Considerations

-Requires 75-90 days to first bloom, extending time to harvest
-Large double flowers may become heavy and require staking support
-Deadheading needed regularly to maintain continuous blooming production
-Carmine rose color may fade or shift in intense afternoon sunlight

Companion Plants

Marigolds (especially Tagetes patula) are the most practical pairing — their root secretions and foliage scent deter aphids and whiteflies without competing hard for the 18-24 inches of space Benary's Giant needs. Cosmos and Cleome reach similar heights and bloom on a close enough schedule that you can run a mixed cutting patch without one crowding out the other, and each pulls in different pollinators. Sweet Alyssum along the border draws parasitic wasps that prey on aphids and caterpillars — small flowers, outsized effect. Black walnut is the one to plant nowhere near any of this: the juglone its roots release accumulates in the surrounding soil and will cause yellowing and dieback in zinnias before you've had time to diagnose the problem.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting zinnias

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and pollinators, create complementary flower display

Basil

Repels thrips, aphids, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Cleome

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support as taller companion

Salvia

Repels pests and attracts hummingbirds and beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts predatory insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Sunflowers

Provide windbreak and attract beneficial birds that eat pest insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of zinnias and causes wilting

Impatiens

Compete for similar growing conditions and may harbor spider mites

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most flowering plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Diseases

Low susceptibility to powdery mildew

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Carmine Rose

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — airborne spores land on foliage; worse with poor airflow and fluctuating humidity
Crowded spacing under 18 inches that traps moisture between plants

What to Do

1.Thin or remove plants so each one has at least 18 inches of clearance on all sides
2.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tbsp per gallon of water) every 7-10 days at first sign — Benary's Giant has low susceptibility, so catching it early usually keeps it manageable
3.Water at the base, not overhead, and water in the morning so foliage dries fast

Seedlings collapsing at the soil line, stems look pinched or water-soaked, days 5-14 after germination

Likely Causes

Damping off — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi thriving in cold, waterlogged seed-starting mix
Overwatering or reusing non-sterile potting mix for indoor starts

What to Do

1.Start fresh with sterile seed-starting mix; don't reuse last year's tray soil
2.Bottom-water trays instead of watering from above, and let the mix dry slightly between sessions
3.Run a small fan near seedlings for 1-2 hours daily to improve airflow and surface drying

Flower petals and buds chewed overnight, sometimes entire flower heads gone by morning

Likely Causes

Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) — a major zinnia pest in many regions, active June through August
Earwigs or caterpillars such as corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) feeding after dark

What to Do

1.Hand-pick Japanese beetles in the early morning when they're sluggish and drop them into soapy water
2.Check for caterpillars at dusk with a flashlight and remove by hand
3.For persistent Japanese beetle pressure, pyrethrin-based sprays applied in early morning can reduce damage — reapply after rain

Stunted plants with distorted new growth and sticky residue on leaves, sometimes a black sooty mold developing on top

Likely Causes

Aphid infestation (commonly Myzus persicae or Aphis gossypii) — they cluster on new growth and excrete honeydew, which feeds the sooty mold
Ants shepherding aphids on the plant, actively driving off predators like lady beetles

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a strong blast of water from a hose — do this 3 days in a row and it disrupts the colony significantly
2.If colonies persist, spray insecticidal soap directly on the aphids (it has to make contact to work), every 5-7 days
3.If ants are present, wrap a sticky barrier around the base of each stem to cut off their access and let natural predators do their job

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Benary's Giant Carmine Rose take to bloom from seed?▼

Expect 75-90 days from sowing to first harvest-ready bloom when started indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost and transplanted after frost danger. However, pinching plants at 12 inches tall delays first bloom by 1-2 weeks while significantly increasing the total number of flowers over the season—a worthwhile trade-off for serious cut-flower gardeners.

Is Benary's Giant Carmine Rose good for beginning gardeners?▼

Yes. While bred for commercial growers, this variety is remarkably forgiving and easy to cultivate. It resists powdery mildew, tolerates heat and rain, and produces reliably with basic care: full sun, consistent water, and occasional fertilizing. Beginners gain confidence and beautiful results, while experienced gardeners achieve professional-grade productivity.

Can you grow Benary's Giant Carmine Rose in containers?▼

Yes, but with limits. Use 5-7 gallon pots with well-draining soil mix. Container plants produce shorter stems and fewer blooms than in-ground plants due to root space constraints, but will still yield multiple quality cuts. Containers require more frequent watering and fertilizing. In-ground planting maximizes the variety's potential for stem length and productivity.

When should I plant Benary's Giant Carmine Rose?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all frost danger has passed and soil warms to 60°F+; cold soil and frost kill tender transplants. In warm climates (zones 9-10), you can direct sow seeds after frost danger for even faster growth.

How often can you harvest Benary's Giant Carmine Rose blooms?▼

Harvest every 3-5 days once blooms reach mature size for maximum productivity and continuous flowering. This variety is truly cut-and-come-again; regular harvesting stimulates lateral branching and more flower production rather than exhausting the plant. Continue harvesting until frost, typically yielding 15-25+ stems per plant across the season.

What's the best way to keep cut Benary's Giant Carmine Rose stems fresh in a vase?▼

Place cut stems immediately in cool water with floral preservative (or 1 Tbsp sugar + 1/4 tsp bleach per quart). Change water and re-cut stems every 2-3 days. Keep arrangements away from ripening fruit and direct sun, and maintain room temperature at 65-72°F. Expect 10-14 days of vase life—longer than most zinnias, a testament to this variety's commercial-grade genetics.