Heirloom

Benary's Giant Purple

Zinnia elegans

Wikimedia Commons

Benary's Giant Purple is a stunning heirloom flower variety renowned for its large, vibrant deep purple blooms. Reaching maturity in 75-90 days, this vigorous cultivar produces oversized flowers that stand out in gardens and cut-flower arrangements. A key differentiator is its exceptional flower size and rich color saturation. The blooms are ideal for ornamental display and floristry work, valued for their dramatic visual impact.

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 Purple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Purple · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-draining, fertile soil enriched with compost

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; 1-1.5 inches per week

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorDeep purple

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

Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost — late February to early March in zone 7 — then direct sow every 3 weeks from April through early June. Zinnia seeds stop germinating reliably once soil temps climb above 95°F, so your last sowing window closes around mid-June in most climates. That staggered schedule produces continuous bloom from roughly July through first frost rather than one heavy flush in August that's done before summer's out.

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 Purple 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 Purple 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 Purple stems last 7-10 days in the vase with proper handling. Place freshly cut stems immediately in clean, cold water containing floral preservative. Store in a cool location (65-70°F) away from ripening fruit and direct sunlight, which fades the deep purple color. For extended enjoyment, condition stems by placing them in deep water for 2-4 hours before arranging.

To preserve blooms, hang-dry fully mature flowers in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Dried flowers retain their deep purple color exceptionally well and work beautifully in arrangements for many months. Alternatively, press individual petals between parchment paper weighted with books for 2-3 weeks to create pressed-flower crafts. For small-scale preservation, you can also glycerin-dry stems, submerging them in a 1:1 mixture of glycerin and water for 1-2 weeks, which produces pliable, long-lasting stems.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Purple 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 inch size
+Excellent vase life means arrangements stay fresh longer than typical zinnias
+Cut-and-come-again habit yields multiple harvests throughout growing season
+Vigorous plants tolerate summer heat and rain without declining

Considerations

-Requires 75-90 days to first bloom, longer than many zinnia varieties
-Large double blooms may require staking or support in windy conditions
-Deadheading needed to maintain continuous flowering throughout season

Companion Plants

Marigolds pull double duty next to zinnias — their root secretions and foliage odor deter aphids and whiteflies, and the color contrast is genuinely useful if you're cutting for market. Alyssum along the border draws parasitic wasps that go after caterpillars, while nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids, pulling pressure away from the zinnia stems. Keep fennel well clear — it releases allelopathic compounds from its roots that stunt most nearby annuals, and zinnias are no exception. Black walnut is the other hard no: its juglone toxicity affects a wide range of plants, and the root zone reaches farther than most gardeners expect.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Basil

Repels thrips, flies, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Alyssum

Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial insects and provides complementary purple color scheme

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and provides good height contrast

Zinnia

Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while providing similar care needs

Catnip

Repels ants, aphids, and flea beetles

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Produce juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many flowers including zinnias

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that stunt growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Can inhibit growth through allelopathy and compete heavily for nutrients

Pests & Disease Resistance

Diseases

Powdery mildew (low susceptibility)

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Purple

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 but days stay warm

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — a fungal disease that spreads by airborne spores, not soil splash; thrives in humid, low-airflow conditions
Crowded spacing under 18 inches that prevents air movement between plants

What to Do

1.Space plants at the full 18-24 inches from the start — cramming them closer is where most people lose this battle
2.Remove and trash (don't compost) any heavily coated leaves to slow spore spread
3.Apply a dilute baking soda spray (1 tablespoon per gallon of water with a few drops of dish soap) weekly as a low-cost preventive once you see the first signs

Seedling stems collapsing at the soil line within the first 2 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Damping off — most often Pythium or Rhizoctonia species — triggered by overwatering or poorly drained seed-starting mix
Reusing old, unsterilized trays or growing medium that carry fungal load from a previous season

What to Do

1.Use fresh, sterile seed-starting mix every season — sanitize old trays with a 10% bleach solution before reuse
2.Water from below (bottom-watering) rather than overhead, and let the top of the mix dry slightly between waterings
3.Pull affected seedlings immediately and run a small fan nearby to improve airflow — there's no saving an infected seedling, but you can protect the ones next to it

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Benary's Giant Purple take to flower from seed?▼

Benary's Giant Purple typically flowers 75-90 days after transplanting outdoors. Starting seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date means blooms arrive 4-5 weeks after transplanting. For earliest blooms, sow indoors in late winter; for continuous summer production, succession-plant seeds every 2-3 weeks through early summer.

Is Benary's Giant Purple good for beginning cut flower growers?▼

Yes. This variety is exceptionally beginner-friendly—it's vigorous, forgiving of typical growing mistakes, and naturally resistant to powdery mildew. It requires only basic care: full sun, consistent water, and regular harvesting. Even first-time growers achieve impressive, long-lasting bouquets. The cut-and-come-again nature means continuous success rather than a single harvest.

Can you grow Benary's Giant Purple in containers or pots?▼

Yes, though with limitations. Use at least 5-7 gallon containers filled with quality potting soil enriched with compost. Container-grown plants need more frequent watering (often daily in summer heat) and weekly feeding. Space one plant per container to ensure air circulation. Container plants typically produce fewer total stems than in-ground plantings but still deliver impressive blooms.

When should I pinch Benary's Giant Purple for more flowers?▼

Pinch the growing tip when plants reach 12-15 inches tall, typically 3-4 weeks after transplanting. This delays first bloom by 1-2 weeks but dramatically increases total flower production by encouraging lateral branching. A single pinch usually suffices; avoid over-pinching, which reduces stem length. The result is many more shorter stems instead of a few very long ones.

Why are my Benary's Giant Purple stems short or weak?▼

Short stems result from insufficient light (less than 6 hours sun), overcrowding (poor air circulation), or inconsistent watering. Weak stems also indicate low fertility—feed every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer once flowering begins. Avoid high-nitrogen feeding, which promotes foliage over flowers. Ensure plants are spaced 18-24 inches apart and water deeply and consistently.

How often should I harvest Benary's Giant Purple for continuous blooms?▼

Harvest every 2-3 days once flowering begins, removing at least 12-15 inch stems. Regular cutting stimulates additional branching and blooming—the more you cut, the more flowers the plant produces. Harvest in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Even partial harvests (removing just a few stems) work; the variety responds by producing more blooms wherever cuts were made.