Heirloom

Benary's Giant Salmon Rose

Zinnia elegans

Photo: Aris riyanto · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Benary's Giant Salmon Rose is a stunning heirloom zinnia prized for its enormous double flowers in a warm salmon-rose shade. Plants reach maturity in 75-90 days and produce blooms up to 4 inches across, with full, ruffled petals that create a cabbage-like appearance. This vigorous grower thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it an excellent choice for cutting gardens and floral arrangements due to its long stems and exceptional vase life.

Harvest

75-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

0-3 feet

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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 Salmon Rose in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Benary's Giant Salmon Rose · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-draining soil

WaterRegular

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorSalmon rose

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

Direct sow every 2–3 weeks from April through mid-June in zone 7, stopping once daytime highs are consistently above 90°F — germination gets spotty and seedlings stall in that kind of heat. A late-May sowing will typically carry you through the first frost in October. If you want blooms from July onward without a mid-summer gap, start a round indoors in early March (7–14 days to germination under lights) and transplant out in late April after nights stay reliably above 50°F.

Cut or deadhead blooms every 4–5 days to keep plants from going to seed and dropping production. Zinnias that get ahead of you and set seed will slow down noticeably — the output gain from regular cutting is bigger than most people expect from a flower they think of as low-maintenance.

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 Salmon 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 Salmon 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

Benary's Giant Salmon Rose flowers should be cut early morning or late evening when stems are fully hydrated. Store cut stems in a clean vase with fresh, cool water (65-72°F) on a cool countertop away from direct sunlight and ethylene-producing fruits. Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at an angle. Typical vase life is 7-10 days. For preservation: dry flowers by hanging small bunches upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks; press blooms between parchment paper under heavy weights for flat, preserved specimens; or freeze flowers in water-filled ice cube trays for use in decorative arrangements.

History & Origin

Benary's Giant Salmon 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 4-6 inches, creating dramatic displays
+Excellent vase life extends enjoyment and reduces frequent replacements needed
+Vigorous plants thrive in summer heat and heavy rain without decline
+Low powdery mildew susceptibility reduces fungal disease management requirements

Considerations

-Requires 75-90 days to first bloom, extending season before harvest begins
-Large double flowers may require staking or support in windy locations
-Salmon rose color has limited pairing options with certain garden palettes

Companion Plants

Marigolds and nasturtiums are the most practical neighbors for Benary's Giant Salmon Rose. Tagetes patula specifically produces thiophene compounds from its roots that suppress soil nematode populations nearby, and its scent disrupts the host-finding behavior of aphids before they get oriented toward your zinnias. Nasturtiums pull double duty — they draw aphids away from adjacent plants and bring in hoverflies, whose larvae feed on aphid colonies. Sweet alyssum planted along bed edges adds parasitic wasps to that mix, which work through the aphid population before numbers build.

Cosmos is worth mentioning as a structural companion at 18–24 inch spacing: matched sun and water requirements, no meaningful root competition, and the two together give you a cutting bed that stays productive for weeks without one plant shading out the other. Keep impatiens well away — they prefer shadier, moister conditions than zinnias and tend to struggle in the full sun that Benary's Giant needs, creating a weak spot in the bed that invites disease pressure on both plants.

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 pollinators and beneficial insects while providing complementary height and texture

Sweet Alyssum

Ground cover that attracts hover flies and parasitic wasps for pest control

Basil

Repels thrips, aphids, and spider mites that commonly affect zinnias

Cleome

Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support in mixed plantings

Sunflowers

Create beneficial microclimate and attract pollinators without competing for resources

Lavender

Repels moths and other pests while attracting beneficial pollinators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that causes wilting and stunted growth in zinnias

Impatiens

Create overly moist conditions that promote fungal diseases like powdery mildew

Dense Ground Covers

Compete for nutrients and create poor air circulation leading to fungal problems

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles

Diseases

Powdery mildew, root rot

Troubleshooting Benary's Giant Salmon Rose

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

White powdery coating spreading across upper leaf surfaces, usually showing up mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — a fungal disease that thrives in warm days combined with cool, humid nights
Poor airflow from crowded spacing under 18 inches

What to Do

1.Strip and bag the worst-affected leaves — don't compost them
2.Space plants to at least 18 inches and thin any stems crossing through the center of the clump
3.Apply a diluted baking soda spray (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) weekly as a stopgap, or use a sulfur-based fungicide if the outbreak is heavy

Leaves stippled with tiny pale dots, undersides dusty or faintly webbed, plant looking dull and washed out in hot, dry spells

Likely Causes

Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode in dry heat above 90°F
Inconsistent watering at the base — dry, stressed foliage is prime spider mite habitat

What to Do

1.Hit the undersides of leaves hard with a strong jet of water from a hose — do it three days in a row to knock back the population
2.If the infestation is established, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening so it doesn't burn foliage
3.Water at the base rather than overhead; plants under moisture stress get hit harder and bounce back slower

Stems collapsing at soil level, roots brown and mushy, often in seedlings or newly transplanted starts

Likely Causes

Root rot — typically Pythium or Rhizoctonia species — triggered by waterlogged soil
Heavy clay soil or containers without adequate drainage holding water too long after rain

What to Do

1.Pull and discard affected plants; there's no saving a collapsed stem
2.Amend planting beds with perlite or coarse compost before the next sowing to improve drainage
3.Let the soil surface dry out between waterings — zinnias tolerate short dry spells far better than soggy feet

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Benary's Giant Salmon Rose cut flowers last in a vase?▼

Benary's Giant Salmon Rose flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase with proper care. Cut stems in early morning or evening when fully hydrated, place in clean water with floral preservative, and change water every 2-3 days. Remove any lower leaves touching the water to prevent bacterial growth. Cooler room temperatures and away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit will extend vase life significantly.

Is Benary's Giant Salmon Rose easy to grow for beginners?▼

Yes, Benary's Giant Salmon Rose is highly recommended for beginners. It has an 'Easy' difficulty rating and is vigorous, holding up well in summer heat and rain with low susceptibility to powdery mildew. The plant is a cut-and-come-again variety, yielding multiple harvests over the season. It requires full sun (6+ hours) and well-draining soil, making it forgiving and rewarding for new growers.

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

While primarily bred as a cut flower for field or garden cultivation, Benary's Giant Salmon Rose can be grown in large containers (minimum 12-15 inches deep) with well-draining potting soil and full sun. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering and feeding than in-ground plants. Ensure sturdy support stakes for the tall, heavy stems bearing 4-6" blooms.

When should I plant Benary's Giant Salmon Rose seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date, or direct sow after the last frost danger has passed. Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days at warm temperatures (70-75°F). Transplant seedlings after frost risk and space plants 18-24 inches apart. These heirloom flowers mature in 75-90 days from transplanting to first blooms.

What makes Benary's Giant Salmon Rose different from regular roses?▼

Benary's Giant Salmon Rose produces fully double, dahlia-like blooms on long, sturdy stems—quite different from typical rose form. It's specifically bred for cut flowers with exceptional vase life and high yields. The plant's vigor, heat and rain tolerance, and cut-and-come-again habit make it ideal for commercial growers and home gardeners seeking extended, abundant harvests.

How many flowers will one plant produce per season?▼

Benary's Giant Salmon Rose is a prolific cut-and-come-again variety yielding multiple cuts over the growing season. Recommended by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers for its high yields. Actual production depends on growing conditions, daylight hours, temperature, and harvest frequency, but well-maintained plants typically provide continuous blooms throughout the season.