Heirloom

Benary's Giant Orange

Zinnia elegans

Photo: Engler, Adolf, 1844-1930 · Wikimedia Commons · (No restrictions)

Benary's Giant Orange is a classic heirloom zinnia producing oversized, densely-petaled pompom blooms in vibrant orange. Plants reach full maturity in 75-90 days, thriving in full sun with well-drained, moderately fertile soil. This variety is prized for its dramatic flower size and intense color, making it an exceptional choice for cut flowers and garden displays. Its easy cultivation and heirloom status have made it a gardening favorite for generations.

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 Orange in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Orange · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained soil with moderate fertility

WaterRegular, consistent moisture during growing season

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorOrange

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 early June in zone 7, stopping once daytime highs are consistently above 90°F — germination gets patchy in that kind of heat, and seedlings that do emerge often stall out rather than push. For a continuous cut-flower supply into fall, start a final round indoors in late June and transplant out in mid-July after 5–7 days of hardening off; those plants tend to hit peak bloom in September, right as the worst of summer backs off.

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 Orange 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 Orange 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, remove lower foliage and place stems in clean water at room temperature (65-72°F) or refrigerate at 34-40°F for extended vase life. Maintain humidity around 50-60%. Typical vase life is 7-10 days. Preservation methods: (1) Air dry by hanging stems upside down in a cool, dark location for 1-2 weeks to create dried arrangements. (2) Press individual blooms between paper in a heavy book for 2-3 weeks to preserve for crafts or floral pressing. (3) Glycerin preservation by placing stems in a 1:1 water-glycerin solution for 7-10 days to create long-lasting, pliable dried flowers.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Orange 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 abundant long stems ideal for professional cut flower arrangements
+Large 4-6 inch fully double blooms resemble dahlias for dramatic displays
+Excellent vase life means cut flowers stay fresh significantly longer
+Heat and rain tolerant plants thrive during challenging summer growing conditions
+Cut-and-come-again harvesting provides continuous blooms throughout the entire season

Considerations

-Requires 75-90 days to bloom, delaying color compared to faster varieties
-Orange color may clash with certain garden color schemes or arrangements
-Vigorous growth habit demands regular deadheading to maintain continuous flowering

Companion Plants

Marigolds (Tagetes patula especially) and alyssum are the most useful neighbors here — marigolds push back on aphids and whiteflies through both root exudates and foliar compounds, while alyssum draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that keep pest pressure from building unchecked. Cosmos and sunflowers are solid structural companions, sharing the same full-sun, moderate-water requirements without competing hard at the root zone. Black walnut trees are a genuine problem: juglone, the allelopathic compound they deposit through leaf litter and roots, can stunt or kill sensitive annuals planted within their drip line. Fennel causes similar trouble through its own root secretions and is best kept to a separate corner of the garden entirely.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracting them away from zinnias

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps, complement zinnia bloom times

Sunflowers

Provide beneficial insects habitat and attract pollinators without competing for resources

Basil

Repels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while attracting beneficial pollinators

Alyssum

Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids and other pests

Celosia

Similar growing requirements and attracts beneficial insects without resource competition

Calendula

Repels aphids and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects and pollinators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill zinnias and other sensitive plants

Fennel

Produces allelopathic compounds that inhibit germination and growth of nearby flowers

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic chemicals through roots and leaf litter that suppress zinnia growth

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Thrips, spider mites, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew (low susceptibility in this variety)

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Orange

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

Silver-streaked or papery patches on petals and leaves, flowers deformed or failing to open fully

Likely Causes

Thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) — tiny, fast-moving insects feeding inside buds and on petal surfaces
Damage is often worse during hot, dry stretches when thrips populations spike

What to Do

1.Tap a flower head over a white sheet of paper — if you see tiny slivers moving, you've confirmed thrips
2.Remove and bag heavily infested blooms to reduce the local population
3.Apply spinosad-based spray in the early morning when pollinators aren't active; repeat every 5–7 days for two to three cycles

Fine stippling across leaves, bronzing, and a dusty webbing on the undersides — especially in hot, dry weather

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — population can double in under a week when temperatures stay above 85°F
Drought stress makes plants more susceptible and mites more active

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every couple of days — it physically dislodges mites and eggs
2.Keep soil consistently moist; stressed plants are more attractive to mites
3.For heavy infestations, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to the undersides of leaves at dusk; repeat every 4–5 days

Soft, clustered insects on new growth or stem tips, leaves curling inward or sticky to the touch

Likely Causes

Aphids (multiple species, often Aphis gossypii or Macrosiphum euphorbiae) — they cluster on tender growth and excrete honeydew
Ants farming aphid colonies, which actively protect them from predators

What to Do

1.If you see ants running up the stems, deal with them first — a ring of diatomaceous earth or a sticky barrier around the base interrupts the cycle
2.Knock aphids off with a firm water spray; ladybeetles and parasitic wasps will often finish the job if you give it 3–4 days
3.Insecticidal soap works well for persistent colonies — coat the stem tips and undersides thoroughly

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, spreading from older leaves outward, usually appearing mid-to-late summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — Benary's Giant Orange carries lower susceptibility than most zinnia varieties, but dense planting or poor airflow will still trigger it
Overhead watering late in the day, which keeps foliage wet overnight

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 12 inches apart and pull any crowding neighbors to get air moving through the bed
2.Water at the base in the morning — skip wetting the foliage entirely if you can manage it
3.Strip off affected leaves and apply a baking soda spray (1 tablespoon baking soda + 1 teaspoon neem oil per gallon of water) weekly; it won't reverse existing infection but slows spread

Frequently Asked Questions

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

These flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase with proper care. To maximize vase life, change water every 2-3 days, recut stems at an angle, and keep them in a cool location away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. The low susceptibility to powdery mildew also helps maintain bloom quality throughout their vase life.

Is Benary's Giant Orange good for beginners?▼

Yes, this variety is classified as easy to grow, making it ideal for beginners. The vigorous plants are heat and rain tolerant, hold up well in various weather conditions, and have natural disease resistance. They produce abundant cut-and-come-again flowers with minimal maintenance required.

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

Yes, Benary's Giant Orange can be grown in containers, though larger containers (at least 12 inches deep) are recommended to accommodate the vigorous plant growth and support the long, sturdy stems. Ensure containers have drainage holes and use quality potting soil for best results.

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

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date, or direct sow after the last frost once soil has warmed. These flowers need full sun (6+ hours daily) and will be ready to harvest in 75-90 days from transplanting. Stagger plantings every 2-3 weeks for continuous blooms throughout the season.

How many flowers will one plant produce?▼

Benary's Giant Orange is a cut-and-come-again variety, meaning you can harvest multiple stems from each plant over the entire season. The exact number depends on growing conditions and harvest frequency, but vigorous plants typically produce numerous cutting opportunities throughout summer and fall.

What makes Benary's Giant Orange stand out as a cut flower?▼

This variety is recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers for its exceptional qualities: 4-6 inch fully double, dahlia-like blooms on long, sturdy stems, excellent vase life, high yields, and natural resilience to heat, rain, and powdery mildew. It's a reliable choice for both commercial and home flower production.