Heirloom

Benary's Giant Coral

Zinnia elegans

Photo: FatalFit · Wikimedia Commons · (CC0)

Benary's Giant Coral is a stunning heirloom celosia with large, velvety coral-red plumes that command attention in gardens and arrangements. This easy-to-grow annual reaches its vibrant peak in 75-90 days, thriving in full sun. The densely packed flower heads tower above foliage, making it a dramatic focal point. Prized by florists and gardeners alike for its bold color and exceptional longevity in fresh and dried arrangements, this variety reliably performs in warm-season gardens.

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 Coral in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Coral · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained soil, moderately fertile

WaterRegular, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorCoral

Size4-6"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
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	—
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	—

Succession Planting

Zinnias bloom continuously from a single sowing — they don't need succession planting the way lettuce or radishes do. That said, if you're growing Benary's Giant Coral for cut flowers and want a steady vase harvest across a long season, staggering two or three sowings by 3-4 weeks gives you fresh, vigorous plants hitting peak bloom as older ones start to fade. In zone 7, that means a first direct sow around April 15 (after last frost), a second around May 15, and a final push by June 1.

Stop sowing by early June. Seeds started after that point won't have enough season ahead of them to reach full bloom before frost — Benary's Giant takes 75-90 days to first flower, so count backward from your first expected frost date to know your real cutoff.

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 Coral 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 Coral 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

For fresh storage, keep cut stems in a clean vase with cool water (65-72°F) in a cool location away from direct heat and ripening fruit. Change water every 2-3 days and recut stem bases at an angle. These blooms typically last 7-10 days in the vase. For preservation: (1) Air-dry by hanging bundles upside down in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. (2) Press individual petals or small blooms between parchment paper under weights for 2-4 weeks for crafts. (3) Preserve in glycerin by splitting stem ends and placing in a glycerin-water solution (1:3 ratio) for 2-3 weeks, creating pliable, preserved blooms.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Coral 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 4-6 inches, creating dramatic visual impact
+Excellent vase life extends enjoyment and commercial viability of cut flowers
+Vigorous plants naturally resist powdery mildew, reducing fungicide needs
+Heat and rain tolerant variety thrives during challenging summer growing conditions

Considerations

-Requires 75-90 days to maturity, delaying harvest compared to faster varieties
-Tall stems may need staking or support in windy garden locations
-Large blooms can split or damage during heavy rain or rough handling

Companion Plants

Marigolds and Sweet Alyssum are the most practical neighbors here. French marigolds (varieties like 'Petite Gold') push out scent compounds that deter aphids and whiteflies — the exact pests that cluster on zinnia stems in midsummer. Sweet Alyssum draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on those same aphids, and it stays low enough (6-8 inches) that it won't shade out your zinnias or compete for the top of the canopy. Nasturtiums earn a spot too, acting as a trap crop that pulls aphids onto their own leaves and off your cutting flowers — which sounds counterintuitive until you've tried picking aphids off a coral zinnia bloom before a farmers market.

Fennel is the companion to avoid most actively — it releases allelopathic root compounds that suppress growth in a wide range of flowering annuals, and zinnias are susceptible. Black Walnut trees are a harder problem: juglone, the toxic compound walnuts release, can stunt or kill zinnias anywhere within the root spread, which on a mature tree can extend well past the drip line. Impatiens aren't chemically antagonistic, but they want shade and consistent moisture — conditions that will leave sun-hungry zinnias struggling.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and other pests that commonly attack zinnias

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from zinnias

Cosmos

Similar growing requirements and bloom times, attract beneficial pollinators

Sunflowers

Provide beneficial shade and wind protection, attract pollinators and beneficial insects

Basil

Repels thrips, aphids, and spider mites that can damage zinnia foliage

Celosia

Similar heat and sun requirements, complementary colors and textures in garden design

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps that control zinnia pests

Cleome

Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, provides height variation without competing for resources

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin through roots which inhibits zinnia growth and causes wilting

Impatiens

Prefer shade and consistent moisture, opposite growing conditions create competition stress

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth and seed germination of most flowering plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies

Diseases

Leaf spot, root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Coral

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

Tiny, pale stippling all over leaves — undersides look dusty or have fine webbing, usually in hot, dry stretches

Likely Causes

Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — they thrive when temps crack 90°F and humidity drops
Overcrowded planting with poor airflow

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong jet of water — does more than you'd think
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil every 5-7 days until populations drop
3.Space plants at least 18 inches apart so air moves through

Powdery white coating on upper leaf surfaces, starting mid-season — usually on older, lower leaves first

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Golovinomyces cichoracearum) — common on Zinnia elegans, especially when nights cool below 65°F while days stay warm
Dense canopy trapping humidity around the foliage

What to Do

1.Strip and bag the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them
2.Spray with a potassium bicarbonate solution or diluted neem oil on a weekly cadence
3.For next year, give plants 24 inches of spacing and avoid overhead watering

Dark brown or black spots with yellow halos on leaves, spreading from the bottom of the plant upward

Likely Causes

Alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria zinniae) — splashes up from soil, gets worse in wet weather
Overhead irrigation wetting foliage and slowing drying time

What to Do

1.Remove affected leaves immediately and discard in the trash
2.Switch to drip irrigation or water at soil level — keep the foliage dry
3.Apply a copper-based fungicide on 7-10 day intervals if the infection is spreading

Plants wilting and collapsing at the base despite adequate soil moisture — stem looks dark or mushy at the soil line

Likely Causes

Root rot from Pythium or Rhizoctonia — almost always tied to waterlogged or poorly drained soil
Planting into heavy clay without amendment

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected plants — there's no recovering a plant with a rotted crown
2.Improve drainage before replanting: work 2-3 inches of compost into the top 8 inches of soil
3.Hold off watering until the top inch of soil is dry; zinnias don't want wet feet

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Benary's Giant Coral flowers last in a vase?▼

With proper care, these flowers have excellent vase life lasting 7-10 days. Change water every 2-3 days, recut stem bases at an angle, and keep stems in cool water (65-72°F) away from heat sources and ripening fruit. The long, sturdy stems are ideal for cut flower arrangements.

Is Benary's Giant Coral a good choice for beginner flower growers?▼

Yes, absolutely. This variety is rated as easy to grow with vigorous plants that hold up well in summer heat and rain. It has low susceptibility to powdery mildew, making it forgiving for beginners. The cut-and-come-again nature ensures multiple harvests over the season.

When should I plant Benary's Giant Coral seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date, or direct sow after the last spring frost. This variety typically takes 75-90 days from transplant to first bloom. Plant in a location with full sun (6+ hours daily) for best results and maximum flower production.

Can you grow Benary's Giant Coral in containers?▼

Yes, these vigorous plants can be grown in containers, though larger pots (12+ inches) are recommended for the tall stems and abundant blooms. Ensure containers have good drainage and place in full sun. Container-grown plants may need staking or support due to the heavy double flowers.

What makes Benary's Giant Coral different from other dahlia-type flowers?▼

This variety is recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers for its exceptional qualities: high yields of long, sturdy stems with 4-6 inch fully double blooms, excellent vase life, heat and rain tolerance, and low powdery mildew susceptibility. It's a reliable, prolific cut-and-come-again producer.

How do I encourage more blooms on Benary's Giant Coral?▼

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote the cut-and-come-again productivity this variety is known for. The more you harvest, the more blooms develop. Ensure plants receive full sun (6+ hours) and consistent moisture for vigorous growth and maximum flower production throughout the season.